Three Warning Signs That Your Car Has A Blown Head Gasket

If you have noticed that your car is losing power while you are driving, you may wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the motor. If so, look for the following three warning signs that your car has a blown head gasket.

Unexplained Loss Of Coolant

If you have noticed that your car has started overheating or you are having to add coolant every few days, this could be an early warning sign of a blown head gasket. Since the gasket serves as a barrier between the coolant and the internal parts of the engine, a leak can occur when the gasket is worn out or broken.

After your car has been sitting for a couple of hours, look underneath it to see if you see a pool of liquid. If you do, this problem may be a leak in your radiator or the hoses.

However, if you see no coolant on the ground, it may be leaking into your engine. If you suspect this is the case, look for the other two signs of a blown head gasket discussed below.

White Smoke Blowing Out Of The Exhaust Pipe

Normally, the smoke blowing out of your exhaust pipe is light gray in color or barely visible to the eye. However, if you see that the smoke has turned white, this is a definite sign of a blown head gasket.

When the coolant leaks into the engine, it can mix with the gas. As a result, the gas is unable to burn fully because of the added water. This uneven burning creates the white smoke you may see.

Oil Looks Like A Chocolate Milkshake

When the head gasket is blown, gas contamination is not the only thing you need to worry about. The coolant can also mix with the oil, making the oil unable to fully lubricate the gears of your car's motor. This can result in loss of power and eventual breakdown of the gears.

To check the oil to see if coolant has leaked into the reservoir, pull out the dipstick and look at the color and consistency of the oil. If it resembles a frothy chocolate milkshake, this is a telltale sign that the gasket has blown and needs immediate professional attention.

If you notice any of the signs above, do not ignore them, as dismissing a blown head gasket could cause irreparable damage to your engine. You need to take your vehicle to an auto repair service like Oak Hollow Tire Car Care Center Inc as soon as possible so they can diagnose the issue and discuss with you options for repairing the motor before it completely breaks down.