DOC Auto is here for you. We can replace your vehicle’s head gasket if it has cracked. Also called a blown head gasket, this problem can damage your engine severely if left unchecked. Once you suspect that the head gasket is blown, it’s crucial that you bring your vehicle to our shop right away so we can replace it with a new one. Let’s talk more about this below.
Instant Coolant Loss
The head gasket plays a crucial role in the engine. It protects the combustion chamber by creating a seal over it. This prevents auto fluids from leaking into the chamber while it is producing combustion. It also allows the chamber to build up the compression it needs for combustion. When the head gasket blows, coolant immediately leaks into the cylinders in the combustion chamber.
Overheating Engine
This reduces the level of coolant that is circulating through the engine. Naturally, the engine is going to overheat with a reduced level of coolant in it. The engine needs the correct amount of coolant circulating through it in order to operate under 220 degrees Fahrenheit consistently. Once the head gasket cracks, the coolant is going to leak out of the engine as we mentioned above.
Coolant that Boils
In fact, the engine will continue to get hotter and hotter until the coolant that is left in the radiator starts to boil. When this happens, you will hear the boiling in the engine. We cannot stress enough how important it is that you pull over right away and turn off the engine. Do not pop the hood until the engine has cooled. The boiling coolant can blow the radiator cap clean off the radiator.
White Engine Exhaust
Another thing that you are going to notice is exhaust smoke that is white. This is caused by the coolant that is burning in the cylinders. When coolant is burned by the engine, it produces white exhaust. As an aside and for your information, burning fuel causes black exhaust and burning motor oil causes blue exhaust.
Milky-Diluted Motor Oil
Speaking of the motor oil, as the coolant leaks out of the engine it will mix with the motor oil. Consequently, this will dilute the motor oil in turn it milky-white. As the oil circulates through the engine, it will be unable to lubricate the moving parts. This will harm the engine.
DOC Auto in Fredericksburg, VA, is here to help, so give us a call today.