HEAD GASKET

WHAT IS A HEAD GASKET?

Your head gasket is the gasket that separates the head of your engine from the block.  It also separates the coolant channels from the oil channels.

How will I know when it's time for replacement?

The small holes that you see around the piston holes are oil and coolant channels that allow the engine coolant to flow around the pistons for better cooling of the engine.

• A head gasket that is leaking will quite often cause an over heating condition in your vehicle.  You will likely find that it over heats and then cools off and over heats again.

• You may notice white smoke from your exhaust system if the leak is internal as the vehicle is burning coolant.  If it is an external leak then you may notice a sweet burning smell from under the hood as the coolant is burned off on the engine block.

• Your vehicle should be inspected for fluid leaks in general at each regular service interval when it is in for an oil change.  Have your vehicle inspected for fluid leaks every 3 months / 3,000 miles or 5,000 km.

DID YOU KNOW.......

Not replacing your head gasket when it is noted as leaking is likely to cause severe engine damage.  This is one of the many instances where sub sequential damage may add up to being more than the cost of the original repair.  Have your vehicle inspected for fluid leaks every 3 months / 3,000 miles or 5,000 km when it is in for it's regular oil change to ensure your safety as well as avoid any further cost.