Checkpoint Motors is your one-stop auto shop in Oregon City. We hope you never have to call us because you have blown the head gasket, but if you have, we will make the repair as inexpensive and painless as possible. A blown head gasket can cause serious engine damage, so it is crucial that you have the problem addressed as soon as possible. We can do that here at our shop.
Leaking Coolant
The head gasket prevents the coolant and motor oil from leaking into the cylinders in the cylinder block. It forms a seal over the cylinder block for this reason and to encourage compression to build up inside the chamber. When the head gasket blows, it cracks. Consequently, the engine immediately starts to lose coolant as it flows into the cylinders.
Overheating Engine
You don’t need us to tell you that this is going to make your engine overheat. In fact, your engine will overheat every time that you try to drive your automobile. Consequently, it’s a safer idea to have your car, truck, or UV towed to our shop so that you don’t damage the engine by driving it. There is no way to keep the coolant circulating through the engine with a cracked head gasket.
Scorching Coolant
In fact, in some cases, car engines have been known to get so hot that what coolant is left in the radiator starts to boil. If you can hear a boiling noise at the front of the engine, pull over immediately and turn off the engine. Do not pop your hood until the engine has cooled down. The boiling coolant creates pressure inside the radiator that can blow the radiator cap clear off.
White Exhaust
A blown head gasket can also cause the engine to produce white exhaust because it is burning the coolant that is leaking into each cylinder. White exhaust is caused by burning coolant and blue exhaust is caused by burning motor oil. You may see white or bluish-white exhaust coming out of the tailpipe when the head gasket is cracked because these fluids are in the combustion chamber.
Milky Motor Oil
Finally, we have stressed throughout this post that you should have your vehicle towed rather than drive it when the head gasket is blown. Because the seal is broken, the coolant will also mix with the motor oil. When this happens, this causes diluted oil circulation through the engine.
Checkpoint Motors in Oregon City, OR, advises that this oil can damage your engine severely. Call us today to set up a service appointment if you are having any of these problems.
