How long should a cylinder head gasket last?

How Long Do Head Gaskets Last? Head gaskets typically last 200,000 miles, which is considered about the lifetime of most cars. That means, if you look after your car and follow the service schedule, you should never be faced with a blown head gasket.

What causes engine gaskets to fail?

What causes it to fail? One cause of head gasket failure is pre-ignition. As fuel is combusted at unwanted times during an engine’s cycle, large pressures can occur within the cylinder head as the engine begins to work against itself. These spikes in pressure can put strain across the head gasket, causing it to fail.

How can you tell if your head gasket is failing?

One of the most famous telltale signs of head gasket failure is the milky sludge on the underside of the oil filler cap or on the dipstick – although not conclusive proof of head gasket failure this is generally a good indicator, and is a sure sign your engine needs looking at.

Can a faulty head gasket cause an oil leak?

A faulty head gasket can also allow engine oil to leak into the coolant passages in the cylinder head. This often shows up as an oily/milky residue in the coolant expansion tank, as the oil floats to the surface of the coolant. Again, be careful though, as this can also be caused by a leaking engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler. 4 Smoking

Where can I get a head gasket replacement?

Every Haynes manual walks you through the process of head gasket replacement as part of the ‘cylinder head removal and refitting’ procedure. Find your print and online manual here and save yourself hundreds of pounds. Prevention is much better than cure when it comes to head gaskets.

What causes a blown head gasket on a car?

The most common cause of a blown head gasket is engine overheating. When the engine gets too hot, the cylinder head expands (thermal expansion), which can crush the head gasket and cause failure. Once a head gasket has failed it can cause all manner of problems, including: 1 An overheating engine