How do you fix blown head gasket?

Answer 1

The head must be removed from the engine and taken to a machine shop to be resurfaced, then everything must be reassembled, using new gaskets.

When an engine blows a head gasket, the gasket is physically destroyed, making it unusable. That part is obvious as soon as the head is removed.

What isn't quite so obvious is the fact that the head is almost always warped. It may not LOOK warped, since most of us do not have the tools to properly check the head surface, that's why it must be taken to a machine shop.

The machine shop can also check for worn valve stems and burned valves and seats.

With the head off, any upper cylinder problems can be resolved and hopefully, you should be able to get many more miles from your engine.

Check for cylinder taper before re-assembling the engine, since it's pointless to put a reconditioned head on an engine block that is effectively "worn out". Also, if you noticed low oil pressure before the head gasket failed, that would be another indicator that you should rebuild the short block.

When putting the head back, make certain that you verify the condition of the timing chain, sprockets and chain tensioner rails. Replace them all if there are signs of wear.

And make certain that the crankshaft and camshaft(s) are all at top dead center.

These are just some of the subjects that need to be addressed when replacing a head gasket, the machine shop should be able to help with anything else.