A real job from our bays: the cylinder head came off a 5-cylinder engine so we could inspect every cylinder wall, check the valves and head gasket surface, and look over the timing chain and front end.
When an engine starts overheating, losing coolant or running rough, it's tempting to hope for a cheap fix. Sometimes that's all it needs. But when the symptoms point to the head gasket or the cylinder head itself, the only honest way to know what's going on is to open the engine up far enough to actually see it.
This job is a good example of what that looks like. Watch the video, then read on for the warning signs to look for and why a proper tear-down saves you money in the long run.
A temperature gauge that climbs, especially under load or in summer traffic, is the most common first warning.
If you keep topping off coolant and nothing drips under the car, it may be leaking internally.
Sweet-smelling white smoke that doesn't clear once the engine warms up can mean coolant is burning in the cylinders.
A light, milkshake-looking film on the dipstick or oil cap can mean coolant is mixing with the oil.
A cylinder that isn't sealing properly may misfire and set the check engine light.
Shaking or stumbling at a stop can come from lost compression or coolant in a cylinder.
A head gasket is the seal between the engine block and the cylinder head. When it fails, it's often a symptom of something else — usually heat. Replacing the gasket without checking what's around it is how the same engine ends up back on the lift a few months later.
Taking the head off lets a mechanic see what can't be seen from the outside: the condition of the cylinder walls, the valves, and the surfaces the new gasket has to seal against. It also gives a clear look at the timing components while everything is apart. That's the difference between guessing and knowing.
Cylinder walls are checked for scoring or damage that would affect compression and oil control. The head gasket surface is checked so the new gasket seals flat and even. Valves are looked at for signs of burning or poor sealing. And because the timing chain and front of the engine are right there, it's the smart time to inspect them instead of paying to take things apart again later.
Most head gasket failures start with overheating, and Tucson summers push cooling systems hard. A weak radiator, a cracked hose or a slow coolant leak can turn into engine damage fast when it's 110° outside and you're stuck in traffic.
Keep an eye on your temperature gauge. If it starts to climb, pull over somewhere safe and shut the engine off — driving an overheating engine is how a gasket job becomes a much bigger job. Never open a hot radiator cap. Check your coolant level when the engine is cold, and get small leaks looked at before they become big ones.
A flashing check engine light usually means an active misfire. Continuing to drive can overheat the catalytic converter and add to the damage. Get it scanned and diagnosed so you know whether you're dealing with something simple like an ignition problem — or something deeper.
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It's not a good idea. Driving while the engine overheats or loses coolant can warp the cylinder head or damage the engine further, turning a repair into a much bigger one. If the temperature gauge climbs, pull over safely, shut it off and give us a call.
Overheating, coolant loss and rough running can come from several causes, like a radiator, hose, water pump or thermostat problem. We diagnose first and only recommend taking the engine apart when the evidence points there.
Because the gasket usually failed for a reason. If a warped surface, a damaged cylinder wall or a bad valve gets missed, the new gasket won't last. Inspecting everything while it's apart is how you avoid paying for the same job twice.
Yes. Our repairs are backed by a 12-month / 12,000-mile written warranty.
