Do you have to replace engine if you blew head gasket?

Answer 1

Hi

No you don't.

If the head gasket is blown, then what is needed is a new head gasket. That is the

relatively inexpensive part. To renew the headgasket requires that the cylinder head be removed, new head gasket fitted, cylinder head re-fitted.

And while the cylinder head is removed, the safety-first practice is to have it checked for any distortions caused by the overheating that often occurs with headgasket failure. It then needs to be 'skimmed', that is, a tiny amount of metal is shaved from the face of the cylinder head so that it will sit truly level on the new headgasket.

You will also have to check for the underlying cause of the head gasket failure. With some cars, for example MG/Rovers with K-Series engines there is a design shortcoming that has often caused premature head gasket failure failure. With others, there is no specific weak point, just that after a high mileage, the head gasket tends to be what goes first. Also, for example, the overheating that led to the head gasket failure may have been caused by failure/leakage elsewhere in the cooling system.

Head gasket failure is not an engine killer. It is however one of the more expensive jobs to fix on a car.

Which is why many people choose to use an alternative such as this..

Not a 100% miracle cure, as sometimes the hole or crack in the head gasket is just too big to deal with by anything other than fitting a new one. Useful alternative, though, if you're really struggling for money.