When figuring out how much you might spend on a head gasket repair cost, you need to take into account the function of this part, the symptoms of a damaged head gasket, and the causes of a faulty head gasket to determine what you might have to pay for head gasket fix costs.
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The average head gasket fix cost is between $1,285 and $1,568 on average, with the price fluctuations depending on where you bring your car to get work done and the cost of the parts and labor. Labor costs are estimated between $1,022 and $1,289, while the parts typically ranges between $264 and $279.
When calculating how much you might spend, you also need to remember that the total head gasket fix cost does not include your local taxes and fees. Keep this in mind when estimating how much you have to spend.
What is a head gasket?
The head gasket is a ring or circular-shaped panel located between the cylinder head and engine block. The cylinder head sits above the cylinder block, helping to form the closure on the top of the combustion chamber in the engine. The upper part of the engine is the cylinder head, while the lower part is commonly referred to as the engine block.
The engine block is the lower part of the engine that houses all of the major components of the bottom of your car's motor. This is when combustion occurs in an internal combustion engine and houses important components like the crankshaft.
As you can see, the head gasket, cylinder head, and engine block help make the engine run. Without these three components, your car would not be able to drive, and you’d have an extremely high head gasket repair cost.
Can I drive with a head gasket problem?
Driving with a damaged head gasket is problematic to your engine, transmission, and other internal components that help your car run. In some cases, the head gasket damage may be so serious that your car will not even turn on or run at the right performance level.
A failing head gasket will generally lead to engine friction, overheating, and internal engine damage, leading to a very expensive head gasket fix cost. A car with a blown head gasket or damaged engine should immediately be towed to your nearest mechanic to prevent unsafe driving conditions.
Symptoms of a Damaged Head Gasket
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Pre-Ignition Problems
The second most common symptom of head gasket damage that can help lead to an answer of `’what causes a blown head gasket`’ is pre-ignition concerns. If the combustion timing is off and not firing at the correct rate, it can put too much pressure on the cylinder head and lead to head gasket malfunctions.
This cylinder head problem can easily lead to the head gasket to fail prematurely. If this happens, drivers might notice a rough idle, the car running roughly, a reduced engine performance, and concerns when you first start your car or idling. If you notice concerns with your engine’s performance and lifespan, this can drastically increase the head gasket repair cost.
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Overheating
Another common sign of engine damage and a malfunctioning head gasket is overheating. When you notice your engine overheating, you see the side effects of the metal expanding and pinching the head gasket. If the head gasket atrial is pinched and squeezed, the mechanism no longer seals properly and causes an increased head gasket fix cost.
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Discolored Oil
In addition, if you notice discolored oil in your vehicle, you will notice other signs of a damaged head gasket. The discoloration results from coolant inappropriately mixing with motor oil while being held in the engine, resulting in a milk-like color. Noticing any discolored oil can alert you to head gasket issues and a higher head gasket repair cost in your car.
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Coolant Leaks
Lastly, drivers could notice low coolant levels. A faulty head gasket or damaged part can cause coolant to leak out of the system, leading to coolant pooling under the vehicle. Low coolant levels will cause an increased engine temperature, increased friction, overheating, and a higher head gasket fix cost.
How often do head gaskets need to be replaced?
Head gaskets can fail at any time – unfortunately, the failure will differ depending on variables like coolant levels, car lifespan, and type of car make and model. Head gaskets generally last around 100,000 miles, especially if you take care of your vehicle and bring it to the mechanic during regular intervals to check the oil and coolant levels.
However, if you do not stay on a maintenance schedule and notice coolant leaks, this will lead to a higher head gasket fix cost. In order to keep the head gasket working properly and in good condition, any discolored oil, dirty fluid, or contaminated coolant should be replaced.
The best way to keep your head gasket working well and the engine at a high level is to ensure the engine runs at a proper temperature. Preventing overheating and excess friction can help reduce the overall head gasket repair cost.
Head gasket repair products
There are various situations on the road that can cause you to require head gasket fix products. Fixing a head gasket leak can sometimes be carried out using easy products instead of paying for a hefty head gasket replacement at your local auto body shop. Instead, using a specific product can help prevent the leak or stop the leak from forming.
Buying the right product for your vehicle can help seal your head gasket, ensuring your cooling system liquid is at the proper level, and your engine will run safely without overheating. If this sounds like your car, you need to analyze which head gasket sealant is the right choice for you.
If you find that your car’s engine will not run for at least 15 minutes, then you may have an overheating issue that can increase the engine temperature and raise the head gasket fix cost.
Head Seal Blown Head Gasket Repair
One option that you can use to fix the head gasket leak is a head seal repair option, a product that uses carbon fibers to make it extremely strong and antifreeze-compatible. This is a good solution for when your engine overheats after minimal use, with this option designed to seal tough leaks with a chemical solution.
This option works to stop larger leaks and create a permanent seal. In addition, the Head Seal liquid can be used on all engines, whether you have gasoline, diesel, or a turbocharged option. Furthermore, it works quickly and is safe to use, meaning you can fix yourself without bringing your vehicle to an expensive mechanic.
Lastly, using the Head Seal product forms a stronger seal than the original head gasket in its normal state, making sure the engine does not crack or warp after prolonged use.
Block Seal Head Gasket
The second option for head gasket repair is the Block Seal, with this product being a middle-of-the-road option that is popular among car owners and DIY-ers. The sealing strength is not quite as strong as the Blown Head option we mentioned before, but it is effective at repairing mild leaks, which keeps the overall head gasket repair cost lower.
The Block Seal works well for all liquid-cooled gasoline and diesel engines, with the head gasket fixable to directly be added to the radiator, limiting the need to drain the cooling system liquid or remove the thermostat. Finally, the Block Seal works well to seal aluminum and cast-iron engines and cylinder heads, showing its versatility and durability.
Head Gasket Repair
The final choice of a product you can use at home to fix the head gasket cracks is Head Gasket Repair – a reliable head gasket seal that permanently seals coolant leaks. This product contains fibers to provide heat-resistant strength, prevents blown gaskets and gaps from overheating damage, and works on a variety of iron and aluminum engine blocks.
Causes of a Blown Head Gasket
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Low Coolant Levels
Without the correct level of coolant or antifreeze in your vehicle, you may experience coolant system failure and poor engine performance. When adding a new coolant to an empty reservoir, ensure that you only use the right ratio of antifreeze/coolant and water. If you use the wrong type of liquid in your system, it can drastically increase the overall head gasket repair cost.
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Radiator Longevity Issues
Radiators and engine fans help reduce heat from meth engines by circulating air and ensuring the excess friction does not increase the overall mechanism’s temperature. Issues with the fans can reduce circulation and the radiator’s ability to remove heat, causing an unusually high engine temperature in your vehicle.
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Damaged Coolant Temperature Sensor
Although a damaged head gasket can be due to various reasons, a poor coolant temperature sensor is a root cause. Along with this reason, the other causes of excessive engine friction is not enough coolant, cooling system leaks, broken water pump, radiator issues, the oil being too low, thermostat failure, issues with hoses and belts, and heater core congestion. Any one of these causes can lead to a higher head gasket repair cost.
Head Gasket Repair Cost
Analyzing how much you could spend on a head gasket repair cost depends on your specific car make and model. Unfortunately, this repair or replacement can be quite costly for any driver. With a scale on a price that depends on your mechanic and the cost of other parts, you can still expect to pay around $400 for your head gasket repair cost.
Once you have a blown head gasket, you have a few options to choose from. The first option is to fix the problem and sell your car for parts – you can usually sell an old scrap vehicle or pre-used car at a local shop. Or you can use CashCarsBuyer to get the most bang for your buck and use trusted agents who will keep you informed every step of the way.
The other option is to fix the issue and keep the vehicle. Although paying for a head gasket replacement can be very expensive, if your car is in good working condition, it can be worth it to fork over the cash. Determine the answer to `’what causes a blown head gasket?” can help you decide whether to keep or sell your car.
The Bottom Line
Finding out how much you might need to spend on the head gasket repair cost can help you analyze the root cause of the issue in your vehicle. Determining what is the root cause of engine damage, overheating, friction, engine performance reductions, and head gasket longevity issues can help you keep the head gasket repair cost at an all-time low.