The title of this blog post is true. If you operate your vehicle when the engine is too hot, you cannot only crack the head gasket but also the engine block and exhaust manifold. In this blog post, Cergizan’s Auto and Truck Repair is going to talk about a cracked head gasket. Many people also refer to this as a blown head gasket, and the problems below are signs that you are driving with a cracked head gasket.
Reduction in the Coolant Level
There will be a noticeable reduction in the level of coolant that is circulating through the engine because the head gasket prevents the coolant from flowing into the cylinder block. When the gasket blows, the coolant makes its way into the cylinder block from out of the engine. Consequently, you will have instantly low levels of coolant in the engine and this will cause the engine to overheat.
A Constant Overheating Engine
In fact, the engine is going to overheat every time you fire it up because there is not enough coolant circulating through the engine. As we mentioned above, your engine may have already been overheating and this is why the head gasket blew. We cannot overstate how important it is that you do not drive your SUV, truck, or car when the engine is overheating.
Increased Coolant Temperature
If you continue to operate the vehicle, you will increase the coolant temperature to the boiling point. This opens you up to a very high risk of having the radiator cap blow. When this happens, you will end up with scorching coolant spraying all over the place. If you are currently looking at your engine with the hood open, you could be severely burned. If the coolant is boiling, do not pop the hood.
Exhaust Smoke That Is White
As we mentioned above, when the head gasket cracks, coolant makes its way into the cylinder block. Air and fuel are also located in the cylinder block to produce engine combustion. As the engine burns away the air in the fuel, it also burns away the coolant. This creates white exhaust smoke that will flow out of the tailpipe while you are driving your automobile.
Oil That Is Diluted by Coolant
All of the above make a strong case for having your vehicle towed to our auto shop in Chesterton rather than driving it. One final point that supports calling a tow truck is that the motor oil gets diluted by the coolant when the head gasket blows. Driving your automobile with this diluted oil can damage the engine irreparably.
Call Cergizan’s Auto and Truck Repair in Chesterton, IN, today if you suspect you have a cracked head gasket underneath the hood.