Can You Replace A Blown Head Gasket On Your Own Vehicle? Yes, you can. In this guide I will share how to replace a blown head gasket on your own vehicle. So, let’s replace it.
Can You Replace A Blown Head Gasket On Your Own Vehicle? Step By Step Guide
Fixing a blown head gasket in your own car can be tough if you’re not into car stuff. But with the right tools and steps, you can do it yourself. Here’s a simple guide to help you out:
Before You Start:Make sure you’ve got these things:
- A new head gasket that fits your car.
- A prybar (for lifting things).
- Your car’s manual.
- A set of wrenches.
- RTV and a tool to apply it.
- Jack stands and a good jack.
- A torque wrench.
- Socket wrenches.
- A pan for draining oil and coolant.
Step 1: Drain the Oil and Coolant: Get rid of the oil and coolant from your engine. This is super important to make sure nothing gets messed up. Look up how to do this properly if you’re not sure.
Step 2: Take Off the Cylinder Head: Use your wrench to unscrew the bolts from the cylinder head. Then, lift it off carefully. Watch out not to break anything!
Step 3: Remove the Old Gasket: Use the prybar to take off the old gasket. Make sure to clean the surface underneath it nicely. You want a clean surface for the new gasket.
Step 4: Check the Head and Put On the New Gasket: Look closely at the engine head for any damage. If it looks good, put the new gasket on carefully. Make sure it’s tight and there are no gaps. If there are any gaps, use RTV to seal it.
Step 5: Put Everything Back: Put all the other stuff back where it belongs in the engine. Make sure everything is tight.
Step 6: Fill Up Oil and Coolant: Pour oil and coolant back into your engine. Follow the instructions in your car manual. Use the right kind and amount of oil and coolant.
Step 7: Check for Leaks: Start the engine and let it run for a bit. Check if there are any leaks around the head gasket area. If you see leaks, tighten the bolts or try putting on the gasket again.
Extra Tips:
- Always follow your car manual.
- If you’re not sure, get help from a mechanic.
- It might take a while, so be ready to spend some time.
- It’s a tricky job, so if you’re not confident, get a mechanic to do it.
Cost of replacing Blown Head Gasket: It can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 to replace a head gasket. The average is about $1,500. But it might cost more if you need extra stuff or a fancy gasket.
How To Increase Torque In A Truck? Best Solution
What tools are needed to replace a head gasket?
To replace a head gasket, you’ll need a few tools:
- Wrenches and screwdrivers: These help you loosen and tighten bolts.
- Torque wrench with angle: It helps you tighten bolts to the right amount of force.
- Die grinder: Used for grinding or smoothing metal surfaces.
- Cleaning supplies like white Roloc discs and red Scotch Brite pads: These are for cleaning surfaces.
- Machinist straight edge and feeler gauges: Used to check if surfaces are flat.
- E-Torx sockets, specifically 8mm and 12mm: These are special sockets for certain bolts.
- Dummy chain tensioner: Helps you adjust the timing chain.
- Bavauto Vanos wrench: A specific tool for working on certain engine parts.
- Thread chaser, brake cleaner, and compressed air: These are for cleaning threads in the engine block.
How To Increase Torque In A Naturally Aspirated Engine?
What are the signs of a blown head gasket?
Signs of a Blown Head Gasket:
- Engine Overheating: If your engine keeps getting too hot, it might be because gases from the engine are leaking into the cooling system, or coolant is getting into the engine and turning into steam.
- Loss of Power: When a head gasket fails, some of the power your engine makes can escape, making your engine run rough and feel weaker than usual.
- Oil Looks Weird: If you see a milky sludge on the oil cap or dipstick, it’s a sign. It means that coolant is mixing with the oil, which shouldn’t happen.
- Coolant Disappearing: Sometimes, if the head gasket breaks between a coolant passage and a cylinder, your engine might start using up coolant. This can lead to overheating and not having enough coolant.
- White Smoke from the Exhaust: If you see white smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe, it’s likely because coolant is getting into the combustion chamber, where it shouldn’t be.
[Thanks for Reading]