The head gasket seals the gap between the engine block and the cylinder head, keeping coolant, oil, and combustion gases where they belong. Signs of a blown gasket include white smoke from the exhaust, milky oil, overheating, or coolant disappearing with no visible leak. This is a serious repair, but catching it early protects the rest of the engine.
Find a TechnicianIt's risky and not recommended. Driving with a failed gasket can cause severe overheating, mix coolant and oil, and lead to total engine failure. It's best to stop driving and get it inspected right away.
Replacing a head gasket means removing the cylinder head, which involves a lot of labor and often resurfacing the head. The part itself is inexpensive, but the time and precision required make it a big job.
A mechanic will usually run a compression or leak-down test and check for combustion gases in the coolant. These tests confirm the gasket has failed before committing to the full repair.
Tell us what's going on with your car. Our platform matches you with verified providers who handle this exact problem.
Browse verified mobile mechanics and auto service pros near you. Read real reviews and pick the best fit.
Your provider comes to your location, diagnoses the issue on the spot, and gets you back on the road.