What is a cylinder head gasket?
The cylinder head gasket is a part of the combustion engine of vehicles. It is used to seal the combustion chamber from the cooling circuit and the engine oil lines. The gasket is installed between the cylinder head and the crankcase and has to withstand high mechanical and thermal loads. In addition, the cylinder-head gasket ensures that no gases or liquids can enter or leave the combustion chamber. If the cooling system fails, the heat from the engine can no longer be adequately dissipated, and the engine heats up as a result.
One of the symptoms of a defective cylinder-head gasket is the loss of cooling water; some fluid must be added again and again to maintain the level. Another sign of a defect is exhaust gases or pressure in the cooling system. This can be recognized by the formation of bubbles in the cooling water, which can be seen during operation. Strong air leakage and very hard radiator hoses are also an indication. If you notice oil in the cooling water, i.e. a brownish discoloration in the expansion tank, this may be the result of a defective CCD. This can lead to blockages in the cooling circuit.
If cooling water is found in the engine, sitting as yellow slime on the oil filler neck, this indicates a defect. Another indication of possible damage can be the increase in engine temperature when the engine is running at high speeds, such as when driving on the highway. One of the clear symptoms of a defective head gasket is white smoke coming out of the exhaust.
Engine damage as a result of defective cylinder-head gasket
If the aforementioned defects of the defective cylinder-head gasket occur, action is called for. If the damage is not detected in time, this can result in consequential damage. If you do not react, you risk engine damage. This can result in very high repair costs and, in the worst case, even a total loss.
What costs can be expected for repairing the damage?
The specialist in the workshop has to unscrew the cylinder head in order to access the head gasket. The work involved is correspondingly high, but the material costs are kept within reasonable limits. A new cylinder-head gasket, new engine oil and, if necessary, an oil filter and coolant are due. In terms of labor costs, the inspection of the cylinder-head gasket, the removal work, the gasket replacement and the oil and coolant change must be calculated. Another possible cost factor is the cleaning of the cooling system, which may become necessary.
Of course, the costs vary greatly depending on the make and model. In addition, the question naturally arises as to whether repairs should be carried out at an authorized workshop or at an independent workshop.
The following cost ranges should provide a rough guide:
- Cylinder head gasket: from approx. 15 AUD to 200 AUD
- Engine oil: from approx. 30 AUD – 150 AUD
- Oil filter: approx. 20 AUD
- Installation: approx. 400 – 1,500 AUD
Change in time – avoid consequential damage
If the behavior of your vehicle indicates a defective cylinder-head gasket, you should have it checked immediately. If a defect is diagnosed, have the gasket replaced by a specialist right away, otherwise serious consequential damage can occur.
A good video on how to detect damage to the cylinder-head gasket can be found on YouTube:
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