Accurate Auto in Thousand Oaks offers head gasket replacement with quick turnaround time, along with scheduled maintenance and preventative car care to keep your vehicle in perfect health for years to come.
While a healthy car relies on many elements to be kept in excellent condition, there’s no question that the engine should be at the top of your agenda. So, if a problem surfaces with this part of the vehicle, it’s imperative that you act quickly. The head gasket is one of the parts where you simply cannot afford to make mistakes.
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The head gasket is a ringed panel which fits between the cylinder heads and the engine block. Its primary function is to prevent fluid from leaking into the cylinders, making it a crucial feature. When left untreated, problems can lead to lost power and a host of engine troubles.
How To Spot A Blown Or Faulty Head Gasket
Due to its positioning within the engine, the head gasket is vulnerable to wear and tear as it handles a full range of temperatures. As a driver, realizing that there is a problem with the head gasket at an early stage enables you to get it seen to ASAP. In turn, this will save you a lot of time and money while also preventing the threat of putting your safety at risk.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it could be a telltale sign that your vehicle is in need of a head gasket repair service:
- Coolant mixing with engine oil
- Engine misfires
- Leaking oil
- Catalytic converter damage
- Leaks into the engine oil
- Erosion of lubrication
- Chipped or damaged cylinder head
- Reduced compression
- Overheating
- Coolant on top of the spark plugs
The vast majority of the symptoms aren’t exclusive to head gasket replacement jobs, and could be a sign of damage to other parts of the engine’s combustion chamber. Meanwhile, the problems with the head gasket may be coupled with faults elsewhere.
Nevertheless, if any of the above symptoms become noticeable, it’s vital that you regain control over the situation right away.
Testing For Head Gasket Faults
If there is a problem with the head gasket, it’s likely that you’ll need an auto repair shop like Accurate Automotive. After all, the influence that it’ll have on the overall performance and safety of the car is far too huge to ignore.
Before doing anything else, though, you may wish to analyze the situation for yourself. The best way to do this is to check for carbon dioxide. To do this, you’ll need to buy a kit that includes the necessary equipment and a solution that will change color if the presence of the gasses is there.
To start the test, you must first reduce the coolant level from within the radiator before then warming the engine. Next, use the kit to extract the fume samples and mix the samples in the testing solution. If it turns yellow, there is a problem. While it won’t always be linked to the head gasket, this is the leading candidate.
Can You keep Driving With A Blown Head Gasket?
Leaking oil will cause a number of problems, leading to greater damage and therefore a more expensive repair job. Moreover, it’s likely to put your safety – as well as the safety of your passengers – at risk.
The short answer, then, is no.
Head Gasket Replacement Options: DIY Or Call A Pro
Is it possible to replace the head gasket at home? Definitely. But is it advised? Unfortunately not.
For starters, there’s always the possibility that you’ll have misdiagnosed the problem, which could see you waste a lot of time and money. More crucially, though, this can be a fairly difficult job. Consequently, the chances of making the situation even worth are pretty high if you aren’t a professional mechanic.
Accurate Automotive’ ASE Certified mechanics and technicians are the best option at your disposal. They provide fast, accurate, and affordable restoration jobs including head gasket replacements. In truth, this will almost certainly be the best solution for your vehicle. And it’ll be beneficial for your emotional sense of reassurance too.
Repair jobs are almost impossible on this part of the car so that a replacement will be required. Accurate Automotive stock a wide range of gasket heads. Knowing that you’ve got the right one is crucial while the fact that you won’t have to wait weeks for delivery allows you to get back on the road at the earliest stage possible.
FAQs About Head Gasket Replacements At Accurate Automotive
Which brands of vehicle can Accurate Automotive work on?
Accurate Automotive specializes on the following cars made by the following manufacturers BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Lexus, Acura, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Infinity, Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan, Cadillac, Mazda, Mitsubishi and GM Service (All General Motors Vehicles).
How long does it take to repair a broken head gasket?
In most cases, our skilled and experienced experts can complete the job in a full day. However, it can sometimes take 2-3 days, especially when other faults are spotted. This is another reason to choose the professional route.
How much does it cost to fix a broken head gasket?
A broken head gasket can cost in the region of $1,000 to replace to restore the engine’s former glory, which is a lot cheaper than fixing other parts of the engine. However, spotting the symptoms and contacting our experts at the earliest stage can significantly lower those costs.
Maintenance & Prevention
Whether you’ve encountered a problem or merely want to prevent future damage, there are a number of tips that can help you keep this crucial part of the engine in great shape.
- Refill the reservoir before the coolant drops to below 7.0 pH.
- Cut the engine as soon as it overheats.
- Always opt for coolant/water solutions rather than adding the two separately.
- Analyze and rectify the reasons for overheating.
Even the greatest level of care can’t prevent head gasket issues completely, but it will make a noticeable difference. Still, if you do notice that the symptoms have started to appear, you should seek a professional replacement. Persisting through an obvious fault is never the answer.
