Unfortunately, if you continue to drive your car, truck, or utility vehicle when the engine is overheating, you run a high risk of blowing the head gasket. The head gasket forms a seal over the cylinder block so that engine combustion can be produced via compression. This seal also prevents your engine’s coolant and the motor oil from leaking into the cylinder block. If you are driving your automobile while it is overheating and you notice the following problems, Boulevard Auto Repair advises that you have cracked the head gasket.
Spraying Coolant
One of the first things that is going to happen is pressurized coolant is going to spray all over the engine and into the cylinder block. When the coolant makes contact with the hot engine parts, it burns away and creates white smoke that will come out from underneath your hood. We cannot stress enough how important it is that you pull over and cut the engine. Have your vehicle towed to our shop.
Overheating
The engine is most likely already overheating if the head gasket cracks, but the spraying coolant causes it to run even hotter. This is because the coolant is no longer circulating through the cooling system to draw the heat away from the engine. Consequently, your engine is going to reach critical mass in terms of temperature. This is well above 220 degrees Fahrenheit, the maximum engine temperature.
Boiling Coolant
In fact, your engine will get so hot that the coolant will start to boil. At this point, you’re on the cusp of having the radiator cap blow and join the head gasket in spraying scorching coolant all over the engine. Again, if your engine is running too hot, pull over and cut it. Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap or do anything else with the engine until it has time to cool off completely.
White Exhaust
As we mentioned above, the coolant will leak into the cylinder block if the head gasket blows. When this happens, it is burned along with the air and gas in each cylinder. Consequently, your engine will start to release white exhaust out of the tailpipe.
Diluted Oil
We talked above about the dangers of driving your engine when it is too hot, let’s also talk about another thing that happens when the head gasket cracks. When the gasket cracks, the coolant mixes with the motor oil and dilutes it. This can also damage your engine beyond repair.
Have your automobile towed to Boulevard Auto Repair in Sherman Oaks, CA, if you suspect you have a cracked head gasket.
