Head Gasket Replacement | Houston, Katy, Porter & Montgomery TX
Head Gasket Replacement Cost, Time, & Signs it’s Blown
Head gasket replacement is a labor-intensive but necessary process when a vehicle’s head gasket fails. While there are alternatives to temporarily repair a leaky head gasket, people who choose this route often face even more expensive repairs to other components from damage caused by a bad head gasket. The cost to replace a head gasket can multiply quickly if a cheap sealant repair job fails and damages your engine block, engine bearings, radiator and more. Contact one of the Houston-area My Transmission Experts automotive service shops using the form below or call (281) 884-3825 to schedule a diagnostic appointment with a licensed auto technician at the shop closest to you. We offer emergency towing, and have many financing options available for you.Why Replace Blown Head Gasket?
Replacing a bad head gasket is a smarter choice over repair because modern MLS head gaskets have a life expectancy of at least 100 years. Choosing cheap sealant repair instead of replacing the blown gasket risks expensive damage to other engine components, likely occurring within just days or weeks when the “repair” sealant fails. A head gasket’s job is to seal the engine block and cylinder head to stop oil, engine coolant, and pressurized gas from escaping the engine. If the seal breaks or starts leaking, the driver will experience reduced or loss of power, a shaky engine, and overheating. If left untouched, the faulty head gasket will allow water, coolant, and possibly anti-freeze to enter the engine block and radiator causing even costlier damage.Signs of a Blown Head Gasket
If you observe any or all of the following symptoms of a blown head gasket your vehicle might need head gasket replacement.- Exhaust that is usually clear looks white
- Coolant leaking from beneath the engine below the exhaust manifold
- Engine overheating or running hot
- A sweet smell when the engine is running
- Engine running rough with less or lost power
- Hissing or whistling sound when the engine is running that worsens when you step on the gas pedal (telltale sound of the exhaust or pressurized air leak)
Checking for Symptoms Manually
If you experienced the telltale signs above that initially indicated a problem with your car, truck or SUV; manually check the following warning signs that can only be observed after manual inspection.- Check to see if your spark plugs are bad
- Take off the radiator cap and start the engine to see if there are bubbles visible in the radiator or radiator coolant fluid tank
- See if your exhaust looks white or white-ish from anti-freeze contamination
- Check your oil to see if it looks chalky or milky