All about cylinder head gasket and its replacement

Cylinder head gasket (cylinder head) designed to seal plane between block and head. It also maintains the required pressure inside oil system, preventing oil and coolant from seeping out. It is necessary to change gasket for any intervention in this part of the engine, it can considered one-time, because when reinstalling there is a high risk of a leakage of the connection.

Replacing cylinder head gasket performed by specialists of any service station, but this service will cost an average of about $80. Part itself will cost you from $10 to $15 or more, depending on the quality of the product and car model. That is, it will be much cheaper to replace it on your own, and although process is laborious, it is not critically difficult.

Types of gaskets

Today, three main types of cylinder head gaskets widely used:

non-asbestos, which during operation practically do not change their original shape and quickly restore it after slight deformation;
asbestos, quite resilient, elastic and can withstand highest temperatures;
metal, which considered most reliable, effective and durable.

When do you need to change cylinder head gasket?
In principle, there is no specific warranty period, after which it is necessary to replace head gasket. Lifespan of this product will vary depending on the model and general condition of the vehicle’s engine, driving style and other factors. But there are a number of clear signs indicating that gasket has ceased to fully perform its functions:

• Appearance of engine oil or coolant in the connection area at junction of the block with head;
• Appearance of foreign light impurities in the oil, which indicates penetration of the coolant into oil system through gasket;
• Change in the nature of the exhaust when engine warms up, which indicates penetration of coolant into cylinders;
• Appearance of oil stains in the coolant reservoir.
• These are most common signs of worn or defective cylinder head gaskets. In addition, its replacement is mandatory for complete or partial dismantling of the cylinder head.

Replacing gasket

Replacing cylinder head gasket yourself not too difficult, but since it an important part, everything here needs to done carefully and accurately. All work done in several stages:

1) Disconnecting all attachments, pipelines and other parts that interfere with removal of the cylinder head.

2) Cleaning head mounting bolts from oil and dirt to ensure convenience and safety of wrench operation.

3) Loosen mounting bolts, starting from middle, turning each bolt no more than one full turn at a time in order to relieve stress.

4) Removing head of the block and removing old gasket.

5) Cleaning seat and installing a new cylinder head gasket, and it must sit on all guide bushings and correspond to the marked centering grooves.

Read More: Best Electric Car 2024 USA Under $10k

6) Installing head in place and tightening bolts, which carried out exclusively with a torque wrench and only according to the scheme given by the manufacturer for your car model. Since it important that bolts tightened exactly with optimal tightening torque parameters for your engine.