Can a Car Still Be Driven with a Blown Cylinder Head Gasket?
2 Answers
A car with a blown cylinder head gasket should not be driven. A blown cylinder head gasket can cause a rapid rise in coolant temperature and severe water shortage in the radiator. You should stop the car immediately and send it to a repair shop for inspection and repair. Continuing to drive may lead to engine seizure due to cylinder scoring, and in severe cases, it can cause engine damage and total failure. Below is more information about a blown cylinder head gasket in cars: 1. A blown cylinder head gasket is a common car fault. A blown head gasket can produce various forms of abnormal noises, and since the gasket is blown to different degrees, the resulting noises will also vary. 2. A blown cylinder head gasket in cars is mainly caused by a severe lack of lubricating oil, leading to poor lubrication. This results in intense friction between the cylinder liner and piston, as well as between the connecting rods, causing a rise in temperature. However, poor heat dissipation fails to provide adequate cooling, reducing the lubrication gap. This can cause the piston, cylinder liner, and connecting rods to seize together. Due to the strong inertial force continuing to operate, it is easy to cause cylinder scoring and seizure, resulting in severe impact damage to the engine block.
I've got firsthand experience with cylinder head gasket failure - it's essentially a major cooling system failure, often caused by cracked water jackets leading to complete coolant loss. Never attempt to keep driving, as engine temperatures will spike catastrophically, causing cylinder block deformation or total engine seizure. In severe cases, it can cause roadside breakdowns. My own car suffered this last year - when the temperature gauge hit red, I immediately pulled over. The mechanic warned that continued driving would double repair costs, with engine replacement running over 10,000 yuan. Recommended procedure: stop immediately to inspect leaks. Minor leaks may temporarily be topped up with coolant, but professional towing is strongly advised. For prevention, check coolant levels monthly minimum and avoid prolonged overheating during long drives. Road safety always comes first - never gamble with time or money savings.
