What does it mean when a cylinder head gasket is blown?
2 Answers
The cylinder head gasket refers to the sealing gasket between the cylinder head and the engine block. When the cylinder head gasket is blown, it essentially means the sealing gasket is damaged and loses its sealing function. After the engine operates, high-pressure airflow from the combustion chamber rushes out through the damaged area. Below is some related information about cylinders: 1. Introduction: A cylinder is a cylindrical chamber inside the engine where a piston is driven by the pressure or expansion force of the working fluid. Some special types of engines may have similar but non-cylindrical parts. 2. Types: In pneumatic transmission, a cylinder is an actuator that converts the pressure energy of compressed gas into mechanical energy. Cylinders can be categorized into two types: those that perform reciprocating linear motion and those that perform reciprocating oscillation. Cylinders that perform reciprocating linear motion can be further divided into four types: single-acting, double-acting, diaphragm-type, and impact cylinders.
I've encountered the issue of a blown cylinder head gasket several times. The cylinder head gasket is actually that small gasket in the engine, called the cylinder gasket. When it's blown, it means the gasket is damaged, causing leaks of air, water, and oil. You should watch out for white smoke coming from the car, especially the kind that comes out of the exhaust pipe, like a cloud of smoke—it's very noticeable. The engine will also overheat, the temperature gauge will shoot up, and you'll suddenly lose power while driving, with acceleration as slow as a snail crawling. The reasons could be that the car is aging, running long distances in high temperatures, or poor heat dissipation due to a broken fan or low coolant. In severe cases, the engine oil turns milky, mixed with coolant, which looks scary. Don't ignore this issue—if it drags on, the pistons and crankshaft will suffer, and repairs will be time-consuming and expensive, often costing thousands. I suggest stopping by the roadside to check the coolant and engine oil as soon as you notice something wrong, then take it to a professional shop for repairs—don't mess around with it. For prevention, maintain the cooling system regularly, avoid exposing the engine to prolonged sunlight in summer, and always keep an eye on whether the engine temperature is normal.
