Is fixing a head gasket worth it

As your vehicle gets older, repair costs can start to pile up. On the one hand, you’re continuing to deal with recurring, ongoing maintenance, just like you would with any car: oil changes, fluid top offs, broken belts, brakes, battery, rotating and replacing tires, and so on. But at the same time, major systems start to go out. Maybe a serpentine belt needs replaced. If you’re driving a manual car, you might have to replace the clutch as it gets older. The alternator might go out, or an engine coil could die.

The truth is, though, all of these maintenance tasks piling up pale in comparison to one huge issue: a blown head gasket. Even people who consider themselves to be the opposite of savvy when it comes to car repair have heard about this dreadful mechanical issue. They may not know what it is, or what causes it–but they know that it’s expensive to perform.

In this guide, we’ll explain what the head gasket is, and what it means when it’s “blown.” We’ll talk about average repair costs, too. From there, we’ll help you assess whether replacing your head gasket makes sense to do. If you decide that it is not worth replacing, call Junk Car Traders. In Arizona we have great customer service and can give great top rates on junk cars. 

What is a head gasket?

The head gasket is an essential component of your engine. It sits between your engine’s “head” and “block,” connecting the two. The head gasket seals both the combustion aspects of your engine, where fuel and oxygen mix together to propel your car, as well as the areas where coolant passes through your engine to keep it from overheating. That’s a big job: it’s no wonder that the gasket can “blow” after a certain number of miles.

What happens when it blows?

When your head gasket fails to do its job of sealing the engine properly, it’s considered “blown.” This can cause compression problems with your engine, and can also result in overheating: coolant will often leak out the sides of your engine. Without coolant, your engine can overheat in a hurry.

What does it cost to repair?

Repair costs for head gaskets vary considerably. The average range is around $1,400 – $1,600. However, for more complicated engines, it can go as high as $2,500. Why is it so expensive? In order to replace the head gasket, your entire engine has to be disassembled. This takes a lot of hours of labor. Putting it back together, though, takes even longer: the engine must be reassembled with precise settings, and the cylinders must be timed correctly to avoid misfiring. Overall, it’s an incredibly time consuming and complex process.

Is it worth doing?

If you have an older vehicle, replacing the head gasket may not be a worthwhile repair. Get a couple of quotes for replacement, and then compare the cost of repair to the value of your vehicle. If your car is worth significantly less than the cost of the repair, you may be better off contacting a junk car buyer like Junk Car Traders at JunkCarTraders.com, getting cash for the vehicle, and using that cash to make a down payment on something that’s in better shape.

According to a national average, it costs between $1,624 and $1,979 for a head gasket replacement. The associated labor costs are estimated between $909 and $1147 while the parts themselves vary in the range of $715 and $832.

Is it Worth Fixing a Head Gasket?

Head gasket repair is an important auto service. The chief reason why replacing a head gasket is such an expensive service, costing more than $2,000 in some cases, is because of the amount of time that is involved in the repair. Every single vehicle is slightly different, and that means that every engine requires a different amount of work in order to put the vehicle back together again. 

How Do You Know if My Head Gasket is Blown?

There are a number of signs and symptoms that you should be aware of, in case your head gasket is blown. Please review the following list to learn more.

• Coolant is perpetually leaking from below the exhaust manifold.
• White smoke is billowing from the exhaust pipe.
• There are bubbles in the radiator or coolant overflow tank.
• White milky oil is present.
• The spark plugs have fouled or deteriorated.
• There is lowered cooling system integrity.

If you have experienced one or more of these signs of a blown head gasket, it is time to contact a reputable, respectable local mechanic so that you can receive a credible result.

What are the First Signs of a Blown Head Gasket?

If your head gasket has blown, you will probably experience the following signs:

1. External coolant leaks from under the exhaust gasket.
2. Overheating from underneath the hood. 
3. There is smoke billowing from the exhaust that has a white tint.
4. There are depleted coolant levels with no trace of leakage. 
5. There are bubble formations in the radiator and the overflow compartment.

Does Head Gasket Sealer Really Work?

If you are wondering whether or not you can fix a head leak with liquid head gasket sealer, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that, for the most part, head gasket sealers do not work. In cases where they do work, they are never a permanent fix. Something else that is important to know is that whether the head gasket sealer works will entirely depend on how the head gasket failed specifically. For instance, if the head gasket leak appeared after your engine overheated, then the head gasket sealer is not going to work. However, in the case that your car did not overheat and the leak exists between the combustion chamber and the cooling system, there might be a chance that this temporary fix will work.

Is Head Gasket Repair Expensive?

It is true that the cost of head gasket repairs can run into the thousands. This can sometimes mean that it is an easier and less expensive process to simply invest in a new car rather than have the existing car repaired. Not only are the parts for head gasket repair expensive, so is the labor, which is necessary and crucial. There are a number of things that need to be repaired around the house. If you notice that your home needs shingle roof repair, please be sure to contact a reputable and respectable roofing company in your area.

Does Head Gasket Repair Fluid Work

A head gasket sealer must be applied by pouring it into the radiator. At this point, you can run the car for about 15 to 30 minutes with the heater and fan on high. The special chemicals in the gasket sealer work via the conduction of heat. The sealant will seek out and fit in cracks and gaps in the head gasket. Subsequently, they will harden to complete the repair.

What’s the Best Head Gasket Repair Product

There are several different highly rated gasket repair products. According to a nationally reputed website, the best overall head gasket fix repair sealer is from the Steel Seal brand. It is noted as both easy to use, and versatile for both diesel and petrol engines. The best value for a gasket sealing product comes from the K-Seal brand, specifically for the ST5516 HD product.

Steel Head Gasket Repair Near Me

In order to locate the best steel gasket head repair auto shop, there are a number of different avenues you should try out. First, ask a trusted friend or neighbor for a referral. If they know a reputable and respectable auto shop that has licensed and insured mechanics, you can give them a call, or check out their online reviews. Don’t trust your vehicle with just any repair shop. It is of utmost importance that you do your homework and that you choose a good auto mechanic.

Our company can help you with your head gasket repair. Our staff at American Engine Installations are ready to take your phone call at __PHONE__. Discover more about what a great head gasket repair in Marietta and Atlanta, GA can do for you!

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