Look no further than Central Auto Care for all of your auto service and repair needs. We are the best auto shop in Okotoks. If you have been driving your car, SUV, or truck while the engine is overheating, you may crack the head gasket. This is the gasket that seals the cylinder block so compression can build in the combustion chamber for engine combustion. Here are signs that you have a cracked head gasket.
Sudden Coolant Loss
The head gasket also forms a seal over the cylinder block to make sure that the coolant and motor oil cannot leak into the cylinders. Once the head gasket blows, the coolant will flow into the cylinders where it will be burned away with the fuel and air. Unfortunately, this means that the engine will experience a sudden loss of coolant circulating through it.
Overheating Engine
Consequently, the engine is going to overheat and continue to overheat every time that you drive your automobile. This is one reason why we recommend that you avoid driving the vehicle if you suspect that the head gasket has blown. It’s better to have your automobile towed to our shop rather than to drive it when the engine temperature is too high.
Increased Coolant Temperature
In fact, the engine temperature will rise to the point that the coolant will start to boil in the radiator. This opens you up to the risk of having the radiator cap blow off the radiator. When this happens, you end up with boiling coolant spraying out of the radiator all over the engine. Avoid all of this by pulling over if your automobile’s engine is getting too hot.
White Exhaust Smoke
As we mentioned above, the coolant leaks into the cylinders when the head gasket cracks. As it gets burned in each cylinder, your vehicle will release white exhaust smoke out of the tailpipe. The motor oil also leaks into the cylinders, and it can turn the exhaust smoke blue when it is being burned.
Milky-White Motor Oil
Finally, the other reason why you should not drive your automobile with a cracked head gasket is that the coolant and motor oil mix, and this dilutes the motor oil. Consequently, operating the vehicle means that you have diluted motor oil circulating through the engine and damaging it.
Call Central Auto Care in Okotoks, AB, today to set up a service visit if you are concerned that you have a cracked head gasket underneath the hood.