What are the symptoms of a bad cylinder head gasket in a car?
3 Answers
Symptoms of a bad cylinder head gasket in a car: 1. Engine cylinder head leakage: Damage to the cylinder head gasket can cause poor sealing between the cylinder head and the engine block, leading to gas leakage during operation, accompanied by splashing of oil and water, producing a sound of liquid mixed with gas splashing; 2. Reduced cylinder pressure: Poor sealing between the cylinder head and the engine block allows compressed gas in the cylinder to leak through the gaps, causing abnormal engine operation and shaking at idle; 3. Oil and coolant leakage: Damage to the engine gasket can result in coolant and oil leakage, which may mix together, leading to adverse reactions in the engine; 4. Gas entering oil or coolant passages: When high-pressure gas enters the oil or coolant passages, it can affect the lubrication of internal engine components to some extent, potentially causing increased internal engine temperature, severe component wear, and affecting the engine's normal operation.
The symptoms of a blown head gasket are quite obvious. I remember encountering this issue with my old car – the engine temperature would skyrocket unusually fast, the coolant temperature gauge frequently hit the red line, and the power output became sluggish, feeling hesitant during acceleration. The tailpipe constantly emitted thick white smoke with a sweet smell, which indicated coolant was leaking into the combustion chambers and burning. The engine oil also showed abnormalities; checking the dipstick revealed a milky, coffee-with-cream appearance. At idle, the car vibrated severely, even shaking the steering wheel, and starting became difficult. All these signs pointed to seal failure, allowing coolant and oil to mix and circulate improperly. Ignoring this can be extremely dangerous, potentially leading to complete engine failure or even roadside breakdowns. After replacing the gasket, everything returned to normal. I’d recommend regularly monitoring coolant temperature and checking antifreeze levels as preventive measures.
When the cylinder head gasket blew in my old car, the symptoms were quite varied. The most annoying part was the engine overheating – the temperature gauge would spike while driving, and the cabin would feel uncomfortably hot. Performance-wise, things weren't right either; pressing the accelerator felt like trudging through mud, with little response in acceleration, especially noticeable when climbing hills. The tailpipe kept emitting thick white smoke, so dense it resembled a steam engine when I stopped to check. Popping the hood revealed that the coolant was constantly depleting unusually fast, requiring frequent top-ups. The engine oil had also changed, becoming sticky with a milky froth and giving off a strange odor. At idle, the car shook violently, as if someone was beating a drum. All these pointed to a cylinder head gasket issue. The repair wasn't cheap, but leaving it unattended would've made things worse. I took it to a professional shop promptly, and now I've made it a habit to glance at the temperature gauge before driving.
