Can A Head Gasket Blow Without Overheating?

Are you suspecting a blown head gasket in your car that never had any overheating? Do you want to know if it is possible to blow a head gasket without overheating? You’ve come to the right place, for we have researched this question, and we have the answer for you.

Yes, it is possible. Overheating is the most common cause of having a blown head gasket. However, it is not the only one.

Let’s talk more about the different reasons why a head gasket blows in the succeeding sections. Learn about the different types of head gaskets in the sections below.

Read on!

What Is A Head Gasket?

Let’s demystify what a head gasket is before we talk about the different causes of having a blown head gasket. This is to make sure that we are talking about the same engine part when we proceed to the latter sections of this article.

An internal combustion engine is made of two major parts—the engine block and the cylinder head. Why cylinder “head?” We’ll get to that in a bit.

The engine block is the half of the engine that houses the cylinders of the combustion chamber. Its structure is riddled with small channels where the coolant and the engine oil pass. The bottom of the engine block is the crankcase, where you’ll find the crankshaft and then the oil pan under that.

The cylinder head (or simply “head”), on the other hand, houses the roof of the combustion chamber. It also houses the intake and exhaust channels, the camshafts, the fuel injectors, and the spark plugs. V-type engines like the V6 and V8 engines have more than one cylinder head—one for each bank of cylinders.

The head gasket is what creates a seal between these two major engine parts. It is responsible for keeping huge amounts of pressure inside the combustion chamber. It also needs to make sure that the coolant and oil never mix and never get into the combustion chamber or outside the engine.

For the internal combustion engine inside your car to work, the pressure inside the combustion chamber and the forces that keep the coolant and the engine oil moving around the engine must be kept inside the engine and must be kept separate from each other.

Different Types Of Head Gaskets

Different types of engines need to have different types of head gaskets to create the ideal seal between the engine block and the cylinder head.

Head gaskets are normally made of a flat sheet that is pressed between the engine block and the cylinder head.

The different head gaskets below all have the purpose of creating a seal between the engine block and the cylinder head, but they are not made the same.

Multi-Layer Steel (MLS)

This is the most common type of head gasket.

This type is made from two to five sheets of steel. Elastomers or adhesives keep the steel sheets together. The surface of the MLS that comes into contact with the engine block or the cylinder head has a gasket coating.

MLS head gaskets are the most popular because they are proven to withstand higher pressures than other types of head gaskets.

Copper Head Gasket

Instead of multiple layers of steel, some engines use a solid sheet of copper as their head gasket. Solid copper is a stronger head gasket because it is made from solid metal. It is also able to provide better protection against leaks.

However, the installation of a copper head gasket requires a special machine, tools, and experience.

Composite Head Gasket

A composite head gasket is common in cars from the 80s. This type is made from graphite. Graphite is a strong material. However, a head gasket made from graphite doesn’t provide the level of leak protection that most engines need.

Thus, car manufacturers had to move away from using composite head gaskets in their newer engines.

Elastomeric Head Gasket

An elastomeric head gasket is made from a single sheet of steel. Elastomeric beads cover the surface of the steel core. The elastomeric beads—a silicone-based material—are rubber-like in elasticity and sealing properties.

Silicone elastomers are synthetic rubber materials that are the core component for most gaskets—not just head gaskets.

Unfortunately, elastomeric head gaskets are not as durable as MLS or copper head gaskets.

What Can Cause Head Gaskets To Fail?

Because of the importance of the function of a head gasket, modern head gaskets should last for at least 100,000 miles. Even though it is made for a long service life, head gaskets can fail prematurely.

Engine overheating is the most common reason why head gaskets fail prematurely.

When engines overheat, the cylinder head expands and presses against the head gasket with greater force than normal. This causes the head gasket to eventually fail between the cylinders because this is the thinnest part of the head gasket.

A micrometer can determine if the head gasket failure was due to overheating when it lost some of its thickness, especially in weaker areas.

After you replace the head gasket, you need to determine the cause of the overheating. Find out the reason behind the overheating. Fix the issue so the new head gasket will not have the same problem and fail prematurely.

Common reasons for overheating are coolant leaks, failing water pumps, non-functioning radiator fans, problematic thermostats, and an exhaust blockage. Blockage in the exhaust is often due to a problem with the catalytic converter or a modification of the exhaust pipe.

Aging Head Gasket

Like all components of your car, a head gasket will age and start to fail. Aging will cause the material of the head gasket to wear down and fail to provide a tight seal.

Car manufacturers always have a mileage point where you should replace the head gasket. Do not ignore this. You should replace the head gasket at the suggested mileage.

The problems that your engine will have if you wait for the head gasket to fail completely will lead to a more expensive repair bill.

Schedule your car for a head gasket replacement as it approaches that mileage where the manufacturer recommends a head gasket replacement.

Faulty Head Gasket Installation

If your engine just had a head gasket replacement but you’re noticing symptoms of a blown head gasket, then the previous replacement was not done properly.

If you don’t install a head gasket properly, it will not be able to create a tight seal between the engine block and the cylinder head. This will lead to symptoms on your engine that is akin to a blown head gasket.

If you do not address the problem immediately, the improper seal will lead to overheating.

An improper seal will cause the coolant to mix with the oil or leak into the combustion chamber. This means that the engine is losing coolant and is not cooling properly. Thus, a bad head gasket seal will eventually lead to overheating.

Bring your car to a mechanic to check the engine. Early diagnosis and repair will prevent the problem from getting worse, leading to a more expensive repair.

Sudden Temperature Changes

The head gasket also expands and contracts following the changes in temperature of the engine and of the environment once the engine stops running. The head gasket—just like the rest of your car and engine—will start to cool down to match the temperature of the environment once you stop the engine.

Thus, when you start your engine in the winter, the head gasket will be at the same temperature as the surrounding air, if not lower.

If you suddenly floor the accelerator pedal as soon as you turn on the engine during winter, the head gasket will undergo a sudden change in temperature that will weaken the material. Eventually, the head gasket will crack and leak.

Let your car slowly reach its operating temperature by taking it easy on the accelerator pedal before you start to push your engine to its limits.

Pre-Ignition And Detonation

Pre-ignition and detonation are two phenomena that can also damage your head gasket.

This is what happens during normal combustion:

Air and fuel enter the combustion chamber, then the piston starts to move upward. The upward movement of the piston compresses the fuel and air mixture. At the perfect moment, the spark plug will ignite the mixture.

The ignition of the mixture will create a large amount of force, pushing the piston downward. Normal combustion creates a natural expansion of the air inside the combustion chamber, creating a downward push.

Pre-Ignition

Pre-ignition happens when the fuel and air mixture ignites before the spark plug fires.

This can be damaging to the engine because the air and fuel will ignite while the piston is moving upward. The force from the combustion will have nowhere to go because the upward movement of the piston is opposing the outward force from the combustion. The opposing forces can damage the piston and the head gasket.

Detonation

Detonation happens when the initial combustion doesn’t consume all the fuel. The leftover fuel will lead to a series of secondary combustions after the first. The effect is the generation of sudden and forceful energy that can damage the pistons and the head gasket.

In Closing

Overheating is only one of the possible causes of a blown head gasket.

If you enjoyed reading this article, you might find the articles below equally enjoyable to read:

Where Are Head Gaskets Located In Your Vehicle?

Can You Use Gasket Maker On A Head Gasket?