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How to Test for Bad Head Gaskets

The head gasket is located between the engine block and cylinder head. It seals the engine cylinders so coolant does not leak into the engine. It also promotes maximum compression of its combustion chamber. The head gasket is the most crucial seal for an engine and can be costly and time-consuming if fails. Fortunately, there are several ways to test for bad head gaskets.

Instructions

1

Open your hood and check the oil dipstick. See if there are remnants of coolant on the dipstick. Once a head gasket breaks, it usually causes coolant to filter into the oil, giving it a milky appearance. To be certain, drain some oil into a pan, place under light and see if there are spots.

2

Turn on the engine, leave it in park and walk to the back of your car to check the exhaust pipe. When head gaskets fail, the exhaust has a white color. Sometimes, there is a sweet smell coming out of the pipe.

3

Open your hood and use a flashlight to inspect the area around the engine block and compression cylinder. See if there are obvious cracks or coolant leaks that may indicate a bad head gasket.

4

Gently rev the engine while the car is in park. If your car feels like it may stall going back to an idle position, you may have a faulty head gasket. Once the head gasket fails, the compression may not be sufficient to keep the engine running. Try this method multiple times to get a better idea if you have a bad head gasket.