How to Check and Repair a Blown Head Gasket

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Look for a high engine temperature.

   High temperatures can cause your gasket to blow, and once this has occurred, your engine temperature will only continue to rise.
   
   If your car is constantly overheating, this could be a sign that your head gasket has blown.
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   Step 2: Check for lower coolant levels.

   If your head gasket is blown, coolant may be leaking from the cooling system. , Check the colour of your oil.
   
   If it’s white and milky looking, or if your oil dipstick reveals a frothy substance, chances are your oil has mixed with the coolant and your head gasket has blown. , If you spot white smoke emerging from your exhaust pipe, this could mean that the coolant has leaked into the combustion chamber. ,,, Once the compressor is free, lay the device on its side in order to access the cylinder head. ,, You won’t need to take off the entire alternator harness; simply remove the bolts. , Disconnect all the lines running to the air conditioner. , Refer to your service manual and pay close attention to the tightening sequence for the head bolts that hold the head gasket in place, as these must be loosened in the correct reverse order. , Be sure to thoroughly clean the cylinder head, so that the new head gasket sits correctly. ,  You’ll need a torque wrench to do so, as the bolts must be torqued to a specific tightness, relevant to your particular vehicle.
   
   It’s crucial that these bolts are torqued correctly, as otherwise you may cause damage to your new head gasket. , Reconnect the hoses in the order in which you disconnected them, replace the alternator, and ensure that all necessary parts are once again in place. , Allow the engine to run for several minutes before switching it off and checking your new head gasket for any leaks.
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   Step 3: Look out for milky or frothy oil.

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   Step 4: Beware of light smoke emerging from the exhaust pipe.

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   Step 5: Disconnect the negative battery terminal

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   Step 6: located at the top of the car battery.

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   Step 7: Remove the intake hose and airbox.

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   Step 8: Take off the air conditioner compressor; this will require you to remove several bolts.

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   Step 9: Disconnect the water pump hose

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    Step 10: by using a screwdriver to loosen the clamp.

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    Step 11: Remove the alternator.

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    Step 12: Drain the radiator and remove the radiator hoses.

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    Step 13: The head gasket should now be visible.

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    Step 14: Remove the old blown head gasket.

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    Step 15: Once you have fitted the new head gasket into the space

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    Step 16: tighten the bolts again in the correct order.

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    Step 17: Replace the components.

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    Step 18: Fill the cooling system with fresh coolant and turn on the engine

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    Step 19: allowing it to idle until it reaches operating temperature.

Detailed Guide

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