Diagnosing a Bad Head Gasket: How to Spot the Telltale Signs So You're Not Ripped Off.

Рет қаралды 399,309

Күн бұрын

Diagnosing a Bad Head Gasket: How to Spot the Telltale Signs.
If you suspect your car may have a bad head gasket, it's important to diagnose the blown head gasket before it causes more serious damage to your engine. In this video, I'll show you how to spot the telltale signs of a failing head gasket, including low engine compression, overheating, coolant loss, and more. I will also show you the different things a head gasket seals. In addition to that I will also show you why a bad head gasket has the symptoms that it has. Finally, I'll walk you through the basic diagnostic process, so you can determine if in fact, you do have a blown head gasket or not.
Tools used in this video:
Cooling System Pressure Tester: amzn.to/3zjrWpA
Combustion Gas Leak Test Kit: amzn.to/3JUX186
WiFi Borescope: amzn.to/3lS3QiF
Compression Tester: amzn.to/40pVa27
My Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/repairgeek
Help support the channel, buy using my Amazon links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and your cost is exactly the same.
I source all of my service data from the same place that professional shops do. You can as well: www.pntrac.com/t/SENKSUZKRktD...
Questions? Shoot me an email at repairgeek365@gmail.com
00:00 Intro
00:04 Why you need to understand the symptoms of a bad head gasket.
00:42 What this video is going to cover.
1:22 Engine Teardown
1:57 What does a head gasket seal?
4:21 Symptom #1: Coolant and Oil Mixing
7:07 Symptom#2: White Smoke, Bubbling Coolant, Misfires, & Overheating
10:12 Symptom #3: External Leaks
10:51 Pressure testing the cooling system
12:08 Where my head gasket was leaking from.
13:05 Checking for coolant leaks into cylinders
14:36 Compression testing
15:00 Combustion gas leak testing
15:47 What my bad head gasket looked like.
16:34 How long can you drive with a blown head gasket?
19:22 Outro
#headgasket #autorepair #diy
Disclaimer:
The information, demonstration and any content contained in this video is for informational purposes only. The user Repair Geek makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the effectiveness or safety of the contents of this video. In no way should the contents of the video, including the tools used, be repeated or tried by anyone. Viewers should only seek the help of a trained professional located at a licensed auto repair shop for any fix, modification, alteration, or any change to their vehicle. Repair Geek shall not be liable for any injury, damage, or loss to any person or property that may result from use of the tools, equipment, or any content contained in this video. In addition, there is no way to guarantee that the video is not altered or modified or is not in the final form submitted by Repair Geek and therefore, Repair Geek does not warrant that the video is unaltered or not modified. The links on this video to products are for informational purposes only and in no way are an endorsement of the safety or effectiveness of the particular product. Viewers understand that anything contained in this video or linked to or from this video is the sole responsibility of the viewer and in no way provides an express or implied warranty as to the safety or effectiveness of any linked tool, product, or video. Therefore, viewer agrees to release, waive, and discharge Repair Geek or anyone affiliated with Repair Geek, from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by the viewer, or to any property belonging to viewer, regardless of whether the loss is linked to the use of the contents of this video, or otherwise and regardless of whether such liability arises in tort, contract, strict liability, or otherwise, to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Пікірлер: 362

@RepairGeek Жыл бұрын

Tools used in this video: Cooling System Pressure Tester: amzn.to/3zjrWpA Combustion Gas Leak Test Kit: amzn.to/3JUX186 WiFi Borescope: amzn.to/3lS3QiF Compression Tester: amzn.to/40pVa27 My Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/repairgeek Help support the channel, buy using my Amazon links As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and your cost is exactly the same.

@alexshatner3907 8 ай бұрын

I have a 2010 Toyota Yaris 1.5 engine, my question is I have overheating problems, and bubbling when cold through the radiator cap opening, but I do not have milky oil, nor white smoke out the exhaust pipe,so based on just the bubbling on a cold start, what part of the head gasket do I have the problem with that is causing the overheating? my cylinder compression test is #1 190 lbs #2 189 lbs #3 190 lbs # 4 220 lbs as we speak.

@user-ht2jh8zd9q 2 ай бұрын

What will take to get my truck on the road what can I put to fix my blows head gasket

@user-ht2jh8zd9q 2 ай бұрын

I need to know what product I can use to take care of the problem so I use

@franktarawa1300 2 ай бұрын

Fantastic video. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. I have just replaced the radiator in my Camry. There was no coolant left in the reservoir and I had to add two liters in the engine. I caught it just in time. Yours is the best video ever. Regards from Sydney Australia.

@erikbritz8095 Ай бұрын

*so i am on my third blown head gasket and this is within two months since the last fix and i babied the car(never pushed it or went over 120kph(80mph) with the car so what might be the reason it continuously blows as this is verrry frustrating right now*

@stevenginnever5343 7 ай бұрын

I'm a little over middle age and can't believe how someone so young, can be so articulate. Your knowledge and delivery on problems are so professional. You really are a breath of fresh air on KZfaq. Cheers Steve.

@dynamicadrenalin 5 ай бұрын

Honestly, I almost skipped the video when I saw a young guy and a Honda. Glad I didn't. I'm impressed. I seldom subscribe to anything. This guy gets one.

@SummerEazelivin 3 ай бұрын

It's called having a passion

@SupraSav 2 ай бұрын

@@SummerEazelivin Having passion does not mean one can magically speak well.

@arcademode2910 2 ай бұрын

Totally concur!

@erikbritz8095 Ай бұрын

@JimFatima-nb3fl 3 ай бұрын

Unbelievable how easy it is to understand the diagnosis of whatever the problem may be going on. So glad I came across this.

@stevenhart9004 Жыл бұрын

That was the most informative upper cylinder diagnosis Ive ever seen.

@RepairGeek Жыл бұрын

Thanks! That was the idea. So many people make videos saying coolant is mixing with the oil, so the head gasket is bad. Nobody ever explains why.

@ktp0913 10 ай бұрын

@@RepairGeekwould you happen to know how deep are the cooling jackets? Also, can a coolant leak from the head gasket cause the engine to get hot?

@RickSanchez-hd4ct 10 ай бұрын

I was literally about to say exactly that. I know stuff but the details n this video I've never actually heard anyone say before. I actually learned something 2day 🤔. SUBSCRIBED.

@patrickcornell4058 10 ай бұрын

Great teaching @repairgeek. Very clear explanation and good video... I'm saving it in my playlist for sharing lol

@stephencook7337 11 ай бұрын

Rule of thumb is, the longer you wait to fix a problem the worse it gets. So you should stop immediately upon discovering a problem with your car. It can mean the difference between replacing the gasket or replacing the vehicle altogether. Excellent video.

@vincemarshall8550 9 ай бұрын

or trying different things to sort the problem until you eventually and very expensively replace the whole vehicle ....these issues never givingly present themselves

@TM-fx5le 4 ай бұрын

@@vincemarshall8550why are you guys replacing a vehicle because the engines bad? Just drop a new motor in lol

@vincemarshall8550 4 ай бұрын

@@TM-fx5le not a nice job in a transit mate but i get your point

@AlmightyEvil1 2 ай бұрын

This comment is underrated

@e47kz 2 ай бұрын

Don’t all these problems practically make the car totaled in terms of cost to repair. Requiring extensive labor. Like what’s the average cost to replace a head gasket with labor. $5k+… especially today’s rates. What’s the cost for a used engine + labor…

@TheJoeman11 8 ай бұрын

Good technician who methodically covers the range of scenarios involved with head gasket issues.

@stephenparris8680 8 ай бұрын

Sir, I have watched so many videos trying to get a full understanding of how to diagnose a problem with my combustion. This was by far the most thorough and succinct I’ve found. Thank you thank you.

@user-pi8bd8hl1b 4 ай бұрын

I have watched dozens of videos about blown head gasket related and, by far, this is the best ever I watched. Congratulations.

@abdirahmanhabib398 9 ай бұрын

Man o man if you are not a professor I don't know what you are!!!!! Explanation on point. I'm a rookie lube tech on my way to wrenching, and this was absolutely gold. Thank you.

@virgilgreenfield1136 10 ай бұрын

Excellent teaching! Thank you for being so detailed and covering the essentials in terms a novice could understand. Keep videos like this coming. Thank you!

@ThunderbirdRocket 10 ай бұрын

Tremendous tutorial ! The amount of information , and specificity , and video shots , and simple to understand terminology ; has , without any doubt , whatsoever , made the greatest impact on my learning this particular topic . Thanks mate !! 👊🏼

@dihylan 11 ай бұрын

Beautiful and coherent articulation of what the head gasket's role is, and moreover, why you are leaving your engine to certain demise if not repaired in a timely manner.

@MarkMalone-ni5nt 3 ай бұрын

Easily one of the best explanations on the types and causes of various head gasket failure modes. Excellent approach using the removed head for the explanation.

@ct3049 10 ай бұрын

Gone through many related content but this was the best, answered almost every question in mind!❤

@williamfletcher4084 10 ай бұрын

I am much less car stupid now . No need to ask questions because you answered them before I had the chance. Great video man for real...much thanks

@stuckinmygarage6220 Жыл бұрын

I'm not sure how much practice you do, but it's working. Kudos 👍

@kj8687 2 ай бұрын

Of all the videos I've watched on head gasket failure, this video does great job of explaining this problem. Thanks for this great video

@vanrolle710 6 ай бұрын

Thanks I think this video was on point and it explained all the symptoms' and diagnoses. I live in the Bahamas and is very much appreciative of all the equipment you use to diagnose this problem. I will continue to follow you for more mechanical videos .. Again Thanks

@briantday 11 күн бұрын

Excellent, thorough description. I really appreciated the distinction made between the higher pressure oil passage ways, but the fact that the coolant system stays under pressure (albeit lower) after the motor is shut off. Great points, and helpful in diagnosing different symptoms. I've done motor swaps and head gasket replacements on several motors and still learned something. Well done.

@yamigekido9554 5 ай бұрын

This has been incredibly informative to me my head gasket just blew and this video helped me diagnose what exactly happened

@thomasmastersen3709 11 ай бұрын

Outstanding and informative overview of the whole diagnostic!! Smart guy. Very smart indeed

@jeffdavis1458 38 минут бұрын

This is an excellent video. You tell the "whats", "whys", & "hows". I learned so much. Thank you!

@Acidalley 9 ай бұрын

Excellent indepth analysis. This video couldnt be better. Thanks for sharing

@davenkaren2572 9 ай бұрын

THE BEST EVER COMPLETE BREAK DOWN!!! Thank you!

@anthonyiannone7618 Жыл бұрын

excellent explanation . The one thing i do is pressurize the cylinder with air and watch the cooling system for bubbles , like you said but without running the engine. Ive used this technique several times on Hondas and it worked for me

@naturemacro 13 күн бұрын

Hands down the best vid ive seen on head gasket issue explanation.Thank u very much for taking the time to make this.

@garyvalto1854 8 ай бұрын

By far the best video on KZfaq about this topic! congrats!

@ExitVelocity 9 ай бұрын

Very intelligent dude and great at explaining things. Videos are very informative. Thanks

@paulstrangers2943 9 ай бұрын

Very methodically detailed video on this topic. My tacoma has bubbles in the radiator.

@birdmanohyes 9 ай бұрын

Great video! Thank you for breaking things down, and explaining things.

@virginiawilliams8947 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! You are an awesome instructor/teacher!!!! Even I halfway I understood how it all is working together as a wh.❤

@plugg440 10 ай бұрын

Very detailed explanation! Probably the best video I’ve found. Subscribed.

@marcussweat1924 6 ай бұрын

Very Nice! Your delivery on this topic was top knotch and right On Point! Keep those videos a coming. I am sharing this... Thank you...

@raymondhandboy4730 Ай бұрын

Dude this is the best breakdown and Informative video I’ve ever seen on KZfaq. Amazing job and I learned Alot! Thank you!

@josburd6429 9 ай бұрын

I drove a Nissan with a bad head gasket for 2 months and 300 miles , I just kept extra coolant and oil in my truck to top it off, but it got annoying and after 2 months I was able to save some money to put as down payment on a newer , better car, drive safe and God bless ❤

@SineN0mine3 2 ай бұрын

2 months of driving with a bad head gasket will damage your engine badly enough that you shouldn't feel okay with selling it, except to a dealer or scrap yard. It's quite simple for a mechanic to change the gasket, if you find yourself in this situation and can't afford the repair you should probably consider selling it there and then. The mechanic, or some car enthusiast can repair the engine and you can use the funds to buy a cheaper car. It's a tough call to make since we're usually reliant on our cars to get to work, but the car's worth a lot more money with a working engine that has a bad gasket than it is once the engine itself is damaged. The gaskets themselves are usually $100 or less, it's the labour to install them which is expensive. Compared to a new engine which may cost thousands, and has an even higher labour cost you're really incentivised to act quickly once you discover a bad gasket.

@user-bx5zy1mu3v 8 ай бұрын

Such a great educational video, deserves more views.

@Glenn_123 Жыл бұрын

Great video! This has always been a fear of mine.... I have an 04 Accord. I know this day is coming. Thanks for doing a great video.

@oliverqueen6587 5 ай бұрын

Yeah initially I thought my car had a Leaking radiator but the bubbling radiator (radiator cap removed and engine on idle) combined with misfire in cylinder 1 in the cold morning confirmed what the issue was. Thanks for the details 😊.

@clivemullings1754 5 ай бұрын

This was a first class tutorial. Excellent!

@davesmith2150 9 ай бұрын

Great explanation mine I did it 3 times and I finally found it it was a cracked head deep in the oil gally so I got a new head and problem solved...the main problem was oil in the coolant like you said the oil has more pressure then the coolant so it was blowing into the coolant. I had no coolant in the oil.

@sherylm.franks4536 7 ай бұрын

You are an awesome teacher! Thank you for this video.

@chriswoods3851 4 ай бұрын

absolutely the g.o.a.t explanation about blown head gaskets.

@sagewhite5776 4 ай бұрын

Amazing video. Thanks for saving me so much headache and money on diagnosis

@okcyurwin 11 ай бұрын

Absolutely brilliant tutorial 👌

@702HGA 7 ай бұрын

Amazing f**** video. Best, most detailed informational video I’ve yet to see online on this topic. Covered all the basis and made it easy to understand. Really needed the help figuring out my 636 leaky gasket issue & this def did it for me. Excellent job, much appreciated.

@hamlet2554 5 ай бұрын

Explained very well. Great detail!

@chendrebala 7 ай бұрын

You are a star. This information helped me a lot.

@karlrensburg3472 2 ай бұрын

Awesome tutorial, another one I learned over the years is after the engine reaches operating temperature, one shouldn't have water dripping out the exhaust , that is a sign of coolant leaking at the head.

@adilrizwanmughal6607 3 ай бұрын

A very informative and explained technically and logically. Thanks

@user-ui7zj2bp3u 7 ай бұрын

This guy is very professional and well trained

@akgocrazzzy4580 3 ай бұрын

I’ve been looking at hella head gasket vids this guy explained it best

@fleuryelite2170 3 ай бұрын

Great job man You know your stuff, finally someone who tells these people why and how,

@user-kh5qi1rm7h 2 ай бұрын

Appreciate your knowledge and clarity. Thank you

@justchris846 6 ай бұрын

This was the best “Explanation Video” I’ve watched

@user-gl8hb6eo5m 3 ай бұрын

very well explained. Thanks man your a wealth of knowledge for sure.

@dontheplumber9338 6 ай бұрын

I just subscribed, Thanks for sharing this information. I have bad head gasket on my s10 . You helped to confirm that.👍

@classicklyjus1025 15 күн бұрын

Excellent video. Thank you for helping me better understand this issue. 🙏🏼

@roberxl 5 ай бұрын

Best class on blown head gaskets

@jeffk4449 7 ай бұрын

Great explanation!!! Thanks for making video.

@Ram14250 Жыл бұрын

Great Video! Thank you for posting this!

@ke6bnl 5 ай бұрын

Excellent demonstration

@caiusjacoby9257 8 ай бұрын

Excellent explained

@grantreid8583 8 ай бұрын

From an engine reconditioners view those alloy blocks with the open style water jackets around the cyls are a poor design and will always have headgasket problems the tops of the blocks go all over the place with constant heating and cooling. When you run the miller over them they have low spots everywhere.

@humphreyakwabi8343 4 күн бұрын

My God what an excellent video! So competent and informative

@ioandriment3140 2 ай бұрын

Hi all. Thank you for the lesson. All the best for All of you.

@e47kz 2 ай бұрын

This seriously the best video on diagnosing!

@marcusgipson1012 10 ай бұрын

Great video breakdown bro

@olusesanfesobi5219 4 ай бұрын

Great video. You got a new subscriber pal 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

@wackey3455 Жыл бұрын

well done very Educational. cant wait for your next video

@olxrvn 6 ай бұрын

That's a perfect explanation, thank you very much

@briandrew2689 7 ай бұрын

Bro well explained I appreciate it and so many ways you don't even know thank you for being so thorough and explaining everything to a "T" 💪😎👍

@johncampbell500 Жыл бұрын

I live in Stark County and work in Cuyahoga Falls. I also have a 2001 mustang gt in mineral gray. I really liked your series on the mustang and getting it ready for your trip. Hopefully we cross paths once the weather breaks and can swap mustang stories 👍

@adrellwilliams4754 9 ай бұрын

Great info. Thanks buddy.

@SMAutoRepairLLC 2 ай бұрын

Great job on the walkthrough!

@user-qi4dv3fb2f 7 ай бұрын

Hey mate got a question if you have the time. Have a holden cruze 2011 petrol turbo. All 4 cylinders have coolant in them. No white smoke or overheating shown on the dash but the way we found it was the resvoir burst so must of been overheating to do so and built up pressure. Took spark plugs out turned over and coolant came out all cylinders. Without taking the head off what would be your best guess ? Gasket or head cracked between coolant jacket and cylinders or potentially something else ? No oil and coolant mixture signs.

@giglehart Жыл бұрын

Wow!!! This is awesome!!! Not sure I’m ready to be a mechanic. Yeah but I can now ask some questions!!!

@christopherharrimansr9541 3 ай бұрын

Very good video in detail !!!

@marouaneahdadouch7219 7 ай бұрын

I wish I had more free time in my life to watch all your videos

@kwesigaalex4765 3 ай бұрын

Perfectly explained, thanks

@nostradamus4828 11 ай бұрын

Great educational explanation

@Genghis-Jan 4 ай бұрын

Very well articulated

@richardpowles-brown2775 4 ай бұрын

Excellent video thanks. There's another possible scenario which wouldn't happen on your Honda but it seems to be happening on a friend's M-B with the OM601 2 litre diesel. Oil is coming out the exhaust, without affecting the coolant. I haven't actually got the head off yet but there's a place on the head gasket which could lead directly from the oil supply to the cylinder. Symptoms are white smoke, rough idling and eventually oil spray from the exhaust.

@tonywilkey4369 7 ай бұрын

Very well explained and videod, self explained diagnosis.

@emin8158 8 ай бұрын

Great explanation. 👏

@mhiggins3460 3 ай бұрын

Excellent content. Thank you.

@darrellwhite765 Ай бұрын

You are very informative!

@k86305 Ай бұрын

Great Explanation ,, now i know what is a gasket and what are the issue associated.

@adrellwilliams4754 9 ай бұрын

I have low compression on side by side cylinders. But not exchange of coolant and oil in engine or radiator. Car is basically running on two cylinders out of 4. Before it gets worse I'm gonna put it in the shop and replace the head gasket. Hopefully it's the only issue. Thanks for your vlog.

@funkyjunky6574 3 ай бұрын

Excellent information shared thank you brother

@sivucit 6 ай бұрын

Fantastic Video.. Great explanation. Glad i found your video. if there is a leak between coolant to oil NOT (ENGINE combustion gas to coolant) then are you saying that tool used to chekc exhaust gas in ccoolant will not work ?..

@flippingcarsrepairs 9 ай бұрын

Loody brilliant very informative 👍👍👍

@michael.ahyoung 2 ай бұрын

An amazing video - liked and subscriber 💯

@user-xp3ij9oe6h 4 ай бұрын

Excellent tutorials

@namastelounge3863 4 ай бұрын

Excellent video !

@robertoaguilar3764 10 ай бұрын

awesome video, thanks for sharing what you know

@johncarmichael4698 6 ай бұрын

Learned so much thank you

@hoatrojan 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for a great video. I have Nissan frontier 2008, the mechanic also told me that I may have a bad head gasket (just a guess). The car still runs and I do not have overheat during running. When I stop the car for about 15-20 minutes, I get an overheating. I also have a bubble from radiator. So, is it 90% that I have a bad head gasket? Thank you.