How Do I Know If My Diesel Head Gasket Is Blown?

1. Radiator constantly needing to be topped up with water or coolant.
2. An increased engine running temperature.
3. Engine gauge showing maximum temperature after a few minutes.
4. A cloud of exhaust fumes when idling, or white smoke coming from the exhaust.

What causes blown head gasket diesel?

Head gaskets deal with extremely warm temperatures from the combustion chamber and the cooler temperatures from the cooling system. These extreme variations in temperature cause warping and cracks over time . This warping can cause leaks and ultimately lead to a blown head gasket.

Can you drive a diesel with a blown head gasket?

Is it safe to drive with a blown head gasket? No , the sooner you get it fixed, the better. Aside from the damage it will do to your engine, driving with a blown head gasket can be dangerous.

What does it look like when a head gasket is blown?

Below, we list some of the classic things to look for when diagnosing a blown head gasket: Thick white smoke billowing from the exhaust . This suggests that coolant/antifreeze and oil are being burned up in the combustion chamber after leaking through a faulty gasket. Poor engine performance and rough idling noise.

What are the first signs of a blown head gasket?

• White smoke coming from the tailpipe.
• BUBBLING IN THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT RESERVOIR.
• unexplained coolant loss with no leaks.
• Milky white coloration in the oil.
• Engine overheating.

Can a car still run with a blown head gasket?

As we mentioned before, it is not safe to operate a car with a blown head gasket . ... There may also be loss of engine power caused by lower cylinder compression- due to your blown head gasket. Once you experience one of these symptoms, shut the engine down and do not release the pressure.

What happens if you don’t fix head gasket?

Over time, head gaskets can start to leak . These leaks vary in terms of severity, and while a minor leak may simply increase oil or coolant consumption, a more severe leak or blown head gasket can cause complete loss of compression. It can also cause your cooling system to fail and make your car’s engine overheat.

How long can you drive a diesel with a blown head gasket?

Some engines will stop operating altogether within one day . You might be able to drive the car for a week, or it may last for a few months if you use a temporary fix on it. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to NOT drive if you suspect a head gasket issue.

Is it worth fixing a blown head gasket?

Is it Worth Repairing a Blown Head Gasket? In a word, yes . You cannot ignore a blown head gasket and expect to keep your car running in good condition. If a blown head gasket is not repaired in a timely fashion you risk a cascade effect of damage.

Will check engine light come on if head gasket is blown?

The first symptoms of a head gasket that is failing are usually a slow loss of coolant with no visible leaks, engine overheating and/or a Check Engine light with cylinder misfire codes. ... Regardless of the cause, a head gasket failure is bad news for the vehicle owner.

How do I know if my coolant is circulating?

One way to check for proper coolant circulation is to check the upper and lower radiator hoses . The upper radiator hose should be hot, around 190–200 °F. (The safest and most accurate way to get this temperature reading is with an infrared thermometer.)

Does a blown head gasket mean I need a new engine?

Water in your oil will allow your bearings to rust and wear out very quickly. If your head gasket leak has caused this problem you are almost always better off replacing the whole engine as a new head gasket will stop the leak but bearing damage has probably already been done.

How expensive is it to replace a head gasket?

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Head Gasket? According to a national average, it costs between $1,624 and $1,979 for a head gasket replacement. The associated labor costs are estimated between $909 and $1147 while the parts themselves vary in the range of $715 and $832.

How do you fix a blown head gasket without replacing it?

1. Remove thermostat and flush the cooling system.
2. Fill the system with water.
3. Add BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer slowly to the radiator as the vehicle idles.
4. Install the radiator cap and allow the engine to idle for at least 50 minutes.

Why won’t my car start after changing the head gasket?

If the engine will not crank then the starter circuit needs to be tested to see if there is a wiring issue. If it is cranking and not starting then the computer needs to be checked with a scan tool to see if it is getting a crank signal from the crank sensor. If not then it may be a sensor or circuit problem.

How long will head gasket sealer last?

It also depends on the severity of the damage to your head gasket. Most sealants offer permanent solutions to minor leaks but can only last for a maximum of six months if the damage is severe.