5 Signs Your Car Has a Blown Head Gasket

There is nothing more upsetting and inconvenient than when your car starts having problems. When there is something wrong with your car, you need to worry about dropping your car off at the mechanic and you will have no idea what it is going to cost you if you don't know what is wrong with it. Some car problems are worse than others. If you have a blown head gasket, it can end up costing you a great deal of money. If you believe that you may have blown your head gasket, you should contact a car service Alexandria. There are five common signs that the problem with your car could be a blown head gasket.

1. Oil Contamination

When the head gasket blows, it can cause a leak that can contaminate the oil. The contaminated oil can cause serious engine issues or the problem can be detected during your regular oil change. The best way to tell if the oil has been contaminated is if there is a milk-like ring around the oil cap. It is a sign that there is coolant mixed in with the oil. If this happens, the head gasket would need to be replaced and the oil would need to be changed.

2. Faulty Exhaust

Your car's exhaust can give you a clue if you have a blown head gasket. If there is water coming from the exhaust pipe, you have likely blown the head gasket. The same is true if you notice white smoke coming from the tailpipe or a very sweet and distinctive smell coming from the exhaust. If you notice any of these signs, you should visit a mechanic immediately.

3. Radiator Problems

A blown head gasket will affect your radiator. You will turn the heat on and nothing will happen. Also, if your head gasket is blown, your car is at risk of overheating very quickly. If you believe that you have a blown head gasket, there is a way that you can check. First, carefully remove the radiator cap and give your car time to warm up. Next, you want to rev your engine several times. If you notice bubbles emerging in the radiator, you should see a mechanic.

4. Spark Plug Issues

When it comes to your head gasket, your spark plugs can tell you a lot. If you notice that your spark plugs are tinted green like the color of your coolant, you likely have a blown head gasket. The same is true if there is coolant spraying out of the spark plug holes. If this happens, you would need to replace the head gasket as soon as possible.

5. Engine Problems

If your engine is slower than normal or unresponsive, you may have a blown head gasket. If your head gasket is damaged in any way, you will notice a loss of compression in your engine, which can cause it to overheat. If your car starts overheating, you should drop it off at a mechanic as soon as possible. An overheating engine can cause some serious safety issues.

If you have a blown head gasket, unfortunately, it will likely cost you a great deal of money. It is not the part that is so expensive, it is the cost of the labor. The exact cost of the repair would depend on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. Overall, you can expect to pay between $1,200 and $1,600. This is a very expensive job, however, you cannot and should not drive your car around if the head gasket is blown.