What is a Blown Head Gasket, Leaking Valve Cover Gasket, How to tell - Avoid Mechanic Ripoffs
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- This video will explain what a head gasket is, what it does, symptoms of a blown head gasket leak, what a valve cover gasket is, what it does, and what questions to ask when you are told you have a blown head gasket.
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As a female, it's hard to get people to teach me about vehicles. I don't know if they just feel it's not my place or if they just don't know( I think sometimes it's both lol). So I look all over the internet and look through available Chilton's. THIS VIDEO IS THE MOST INFORMATIVE OF ANYTHING I'VE COME ACROSS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I FEEL TRULY EDUCATED!😁👍
Thank you for watching
I'm a male and No one's ever taught me... I'm trying to learn myself as well... I have learned bit over the last 2 years from youtube... but people in general dont' explain anything... I think part of it is, they dont' know either... a guy at Napa Auto Parts tried to explain to me, today, how to fix a leak from the metal part that connects the radiator hose to the engine. And he gave me the wrong instructions. I realize he doesn't know himself even though he's worked their for many, many years... try to find someone who has your exact or similar car / engine cuz different cars, companies have totally different ways to fix things... Good Luck!
Retail parts clerks know zilch.....for the most "part"...
@@robmartin217 Haha...... Yeah, when I was about 19 I worked at Craigan's Auto Parts and I didnt' have a clue. I was learning on the job at least about parts and some things... but was only there for about a year... So funny. I forgot I worked there til just now seeing your post! 🤣
Hey, don’t feel bad. Girls can do as much as dudes. Sorry you feel that way, but I’d teach you. I learned the work myself, i won’t lie, my brother taught me a lot but he never was beside me to do the work(he lives 4 hours away). Until he got fed up with me calling him a dozen times a day. I was always by myself. Now i can build a car ground up with no instructions from anyone. You can do it just like i did. Videos and google. Hell i wish i could get a certification through the internet for it, but i guess they don’t see the internet as school. When everything you could learn in school and way more on the web. It’s fucking dumb. Good luck.
100% useful information, 0% hype and nonsense. Thank you, sir!
Thanks Paul
There's 364 thumbs down. These 364 people prolly are the mechanics that's been scamming people with that technique!
Definite possibility
👍👍👍👍👍
Not a lie detected!
Of course they do especially women
Will replacing head gasket fix defective leaks permanently or will it leaks again after 100k plus miles? For prius 2010 2015
I've been a mechanic for 25 years, so I know what I saw in this video, but I still like the way you break it down into the separate components to explain to a customer what is wrong(or not wrong) to avoid being scammed by shady shops. Well done sir! 👍👍
Thanks my friend
I worked on my own cars since a youngster. Too old now to do it.Plus, I got burned out on it. Thank you for helping people with this. I hate to see people get ripped off.
Thanks Bruce
I'm having the same issue as are two of my friends who are professional mechanics. As we're all getting older both the physical and mental stresses of fixing motor vehicles becomes too much. It is just very hard work better suited towards the young.
after learning the basics of an engine. It's actually a miracle car engines even run properly!
I think that every day
Hahahahaha. Makes me feel like a healer when I fix mechanical problems on my own vehicle.
This comment 😂
I wonder if people ever go to school to learn these easy things you can do at home
It’s all timing and engineering wizardry 😁
This video needs to be watched by every person that owns a car. The way you explained everything was brilliant and I wish you all the best
Thank you very much!
My dad teaches me about cars the best he can but having a visual makes such a difference!!! Very helpful video, thank you.
Thanks Megan
I’ve been in the business for 35yrs and owned my own shop for 15 and I’ve never seen any dishonest mechanic try to sell unnecessary heavy repairs such as head gaskets and major engine repairs. Dishonest slime bags are by nature very lazy so if they’re going to try to screw You they’ll almost always pick a fast easy item like struts , shocks, fluids, hoses , flushing jobs etc... engine repairs are heavy, detailed, and often hard to do so lazy bastards don’t want any part of that. Watch out for shit like tranny flushes, EFI flushes, “leaky” struts, and weak hoses. That’s where your scumbags like to live. I’m not saying those repairs are never needed but they are the most oversold items to unsuspecting customers. You guys that have been in the business for years know I’m telling you the truth.
Thanks for that. Brakes too right? 🤔
That is true Wayne. I do know people who were given the head gasket treatment. I suspect these shops were just slow and wanted some jobs to fill out hours. IT does happen and I wanted to share information so if it does happen people have the information and know what to ask. Thanks for your comment.
Wayne Swicegood. my favorite is the 75 dollar cabin air filter that can be changed in two minutes and cost between $6.00 and $8.00 then they charge another $35.00 labor. Thank you Honda dealerships!
Thank you for the heads up.
Wayne Swicegood well the strut thing isn’t true with my moms car there truly bad and need replacement soon there the originals on an almost 16 year old car lowish miles no snow and less Shawb gave a reasonable deal $540 both front ones including labor (struts alone for her car are $120 each online price) the back ones are still good
A couple years ago she went to get an oil change at jiffy lube they rotated the tires after we just got 2 new ones put on (we told them not to they didn’t listen and did it anyways) and said she needed new break pads and it was VERY dangerous “ooooo so scary “😂😂I forgot how much they wanted to charge for them though the oil change alone was nearly $60
Heck they weren’t even squeaking or making unusual noises and they were still working like normal (my dad only put them on about a year before that new she doesn’t drive much so they don’t get much wear and tear) we didn’t fall for it and never went back there again
Well fast forward about 3 1/2 years from then she had the other 2 tires changed and they said those SAME break pads still have some life left and there still not having issues talk about scammer mechanics wanting to do unnecessary minor repairs to make extra $$$
Tip Less Shawb tires is good and they give good deals on top of being cheap jiffy lube SUCKS, is a rip off and they also replace parts that are still good to make profit
You rock! Many of us have little to no money for repairs AND aren't knowledgeable when it comes to our cars. So grateful for this breakdown and I'm so freaking subscribing.
Thank you very much and welcome
I was told it would cost me 6500-7000$ to replace my head gasket. Such BS, I can’t wait to fix it myself. My coolant reserve tank was bubbling and it was a milky brown color. Thanks to this video I have a much better understanding.
That is s bit over priced
@@PetesGarage my car loosing coolant but not over heating i changed the fan and rediator cap but still loosing . As the gasket leaks? are what is the fault i dont know ..kindly reply
Just wanted to say thank you I recently decided to change my own valve cover gasket because the shops around here are giving me a bunch of bs and I'm glad I did. Because after watching this I realized I almost did something outrageous. I thought them quoting me 350-450 dollars for a valve cover gasket replacement was normal. I know this video is 3 years old but ain't no way in hell the prices of this job have went up that insanely in 3 years!. Thank you!
This is the first time I've actually understood how an engine works thanks to your explanation. I always feel like I need to be a rocket scientist to understand how it works
I learn something new every day
@@PetesGarage were do they do valve cover gaskets for 40 bucks cause my 03 explorer was 150
Thanks for the very clear explanation of how the engine, oil, coolant and other parts of the engine work. I really learned much from your very clear explanation. You are a good teacher.
Thank you very much Romy
What a great informative video. No cruddy music, no gimmcky language or voice, just straight up factual information and explanation with a visual aid. I learned heaps, so thanks.
Thanks Annie
I ended up doing a head gasket job on my grand caravan, not because the gasket was blown, but because of a busted spark plug. Gave it all a good clean, cleaned the throttle body, EGR valve, new PCV valve, new plugs and leads, got a full gasket kit & replaced the head gaskets, valve stem seals, injector o-rings and the valve cover gaskets, the lot. It runs really well now! :o)
That's a lot of work for a broken spark plug
@@PetesGarage Yep. Completely seized.Galled thread and porcelain jammed in the remaining part, which I had to punch out from the bottom of the head, so I could get an extractor in. I needed a spud wrench and a 4 foot length of pole slid over it to get it out. I used a chaser afterwards to clean up the threads. all good now and it runs really well.
My 2005 Kia Sorento has 163,000 miles on it. I noticed a steam like smoke coming from under the hood while driving and also a hot burning smell. It’s not overheating or leaking onto the driveway. I’m an older woman and I know I’m gonna get ripped off.
Anyway, I really liked your video, people like me are very grateful. Thank you!
Just ask to see and have them explain what is wrong. It does sound like a leak in the coolant system, a hose maybe
The best way to keep yourself from getting ripped of by a car repair establishment is to diagnose it yourself and then fix it yourself. I know that not everyone is able to do that but that is the best way.
I agree
@@PetesGarage If someone is not mechanically inclined, the least they should do is educate themselves. Watching TH-cam videos like yours is one way to do it. Having at least a basic understanding of the problem will allow you to ask the right questions and challenge what you are being told. Remember that an educated consumer is a salesman's worst enemy.
I totally agree
As a woman Mechanics will pretty much think I don't know anything about cars but I'm learning so much more and even doing my own repairs. I don't trust mechanics, not all are bad but I've been hurt in the past so thank you for this info.
I'm glad it helps
Sister, I don't trust them either! I drive a 2005 Honda Accord and have already changed the alternator, valve cover gasket, PCV valve and spark plugs simply by watching videos like these. TH-cam and the ppl who publish up here are a Godsend. 💯🙌
I'm so thankful for videos like this one. I don't pretend to know what I can't know through experience, but CAN learn at least enough to know when someone is trying to take advantage of my ignorance.
Thank you, Pete's Garage!!!
Thank you Dawn, that is why I make videos, so we all can learn
I have been ripped off before and don't have money to waste, especially during this health crisis. So informative, Thank you!
We all have. Health crisis or not, I hate wasting money
I feel pretty well versed in understanding most of these mechanisms but man.......every time I listen to Pete I learn something new! Awesome as always
We're all here to learn Wes...thanks!
I had light brown milky oil and a over heating engine, it was the manifold gasket, cost me a Haynes repair manual, a new gasket, 5 qts. of oil and 2 gallons of antifreeze. The next day the neighbors were standing around mumbling its not going to start. I had my doubts seeing that I've never worked on a car before, but to my surprise it started right up and mumbled to myself " so long suckers". My girlfriend was impressed.
You never worked on cars before and had torque wrenches?
#winning
Sounds like your girlfriend is easily impressed
Let's not get personal
Pete's Garage 😂
My daughter just been told you had a blower head gasket on her forester in Portland. I just flew and drove back home 650 mls with nota single leek or engine trouble Saved $5000
Excellent!
Take off the head to look at that gasket to see if you need a head gasket? At that point, 90% of the cost of the repair has been incurred so you might as well replace the gasket.
Correct, but at least you can verify that was the actual problem
@@PetesGarage . I'm currently going through this with a '02 trailblazer 4.2L Inline 6 cylinder. There is coolant getting into the oil I've replaced valve cover gaskets before but was wondering if a head gasket replacement is something I can do at home. I have no problem disassembling it but once I replace it do I need a torque wrench or no?
Then you incur towing costs if you can't complete the job yourself, and if you don't have another car you're screwed
@@kaipos8601, there are mobile mechanics that could come to you.
@@humanyoda mobile mechanics are not dumb, that would be a jackpot for them...
I’m an Aussie mechanic retired with 55 years of experience, I was really happy about the way you explained the combustion process as a burn and expansion not an explosion. So all you young budding mechanics out who think they know everything it’s not an explosion it’s a burn and the burning gases in the cylinder push the piston down, so happy to hear the definition of combustion by someone who knows what they’re talking about
Than you Kevin
Correction, explosion is destructive expansion, combustion is controlled burning.
I wish I could buy you beers with the money you just saved me brother!! 🤣🤣 Very very very helpful video. Keep them coming!!
Thank you, buy them for yourself and celebrate the victory! Stop by my Merch Store and grab yourself a Christmas gift as an alternate to the beer for me....thanks
🤣🤣🤣 I'd like a Coke
@@PetesGarageI might!
Thank you for the explanation
Is there a cost difference base on where the head gasket is leaking to
1) combustion to coolant
2) combustion to outside
3) cylinder to cylinder
1) I have the bubble in the
radiator cap opening
2) & white smoke
3) do not have a milky oil
2005 Chrysler Town & Country
@@PetesGarage iiytkgflkjg
Just changed my spark plugs with a friend who works at the auto store. I told him I’d do it but needed the tools for it. He decided to change them for me so I wouldn’t buy the tools. They were full of oil and he said it’s the gasket. I bought the gasket and he’s replacing it for me. I’m watching this to learn more about it myself.This is extremely informative. Thank you.
I hope that works
@@PetesGarage it worked! My car is running wonderfully. Thank you.
That's awesome!
just did a head gasket on a toyota 3.0 bought it from a guy who was sure the engine was blown because it was smoking. then he asked if it was bad when you go to change your spark plugs and water comes out.... got it for 400 bucks. paid 58 for a full gasket kit. nice truck, gonna drive it for the next five years or so.
That's awesome, thanks Luke
I have replaced 2 head gaskets on my cars, Your Tutorials are AWESOME! Learned a few things Thank You
That's awesome Cesar
Finally realized how the Pistons work, he explained it so simply I could finally understand 😭😭🙏🙏🙏🙏
Engines are more simple than people relaize
I appreciate you not only explaining everything so clearly, but especially actually taking the time to show what things are, what their locations are, their functions, and what their distinctions look like, as well!! You are the GOAT. Thank you very much, sir!!!
That is so nice of you, thank you so much my friend
This is the best description ever. Respect from Iran 🇮🇷
Thank you my friend
@PetesGarage,
Thanks so much for this very clean and understandable video. I showed this to my wife and she get's it!
For those out there who think they have a leaky head gasket from one cylinder to another, I verified the leak into the neighboring cylinder by verifying air leaking out of the air inlet port of the neighboring cylinder AND verifying that the neighboring cylinder's air intake valve was open. On my engine, a Pentastar 3.6 v6, when the intake manifold/plenum are removed, you can see the intake-valves during a leak-down test.
Since this was a middle cylinder of the left bank on the V6, I performed a successful (very minimal leakage) leak-down test on the opposite neighboring cylinder indicating no leakage/gasket issue with the middle cylinder. The middle cylinder was giving off the Check-Engine/Cylinder-Misfire code P0304.
Touche!
Comment
Awesome comment, thanks my friend, and your wife too
YOU ARE THE MAN! You broke this down so easy the average joe could understand. I over heated when I pop the hood white smoke and the radiator cap popped out and their was coolant leaking all over the floor. I checked the Exhaust no white smoke thank god. I let it rest. I checked oil no signs of coolant. After I refilled the radiator their was no leaks. I think the radiator or thermostat went bad. I recently had the water pump replaced. Owner of c3
Thanks my friend, you are lucky!
Best explanation on how the head gasket works I've ever watched. As a newbie when it comes to mechanics, you make it very easy to understand!
Wow, thanks!
I took my heads off to replace bad valve seals. I'm glad I did now, the same neglect that caused the valve seals to harden and leak had caused the head gaskets to deteriorate significantly. They were quite close to failure but I was fortunate enough to catch it early
Wow....great catch!
My girlfriend's Honda was losing coolant into the overflow tank but at a very, very slow rate. She mostly just drove to work and back (5 minute commute). If we took a trip, however, it would lose enough coolant to cause the engine to start heating up in about 200 miles. I told her it was probably a very small head gasket leak, but I didn't have time to fix it myself because I was going out of town for a month. So she took it to a mechanic who ran tests on it and said she needed new spark plugs, a radiator cap and thermostat, and he charged her $450. And of course it did nothing to resolve the problem. I was ready to strangle him (he did the work without prior authorization and my girlfriend didn't know that was required). About 6 months later we took it to the Honda dealer. They ran tests and said it wasn't testing positive for a head gasket problem but that could be the problem anyway. They couldn't guarantee that the $1,500 repair would resolve the issue. We told them to just replace it anyway. That was 4 years ago and she hasn't had a problem since. That first mechanic got a nasty review and lost a customer.
Some mechanics simply do not know how to troubleshoot
@@ronaldoquintos1675Yeah, I know that. I've been doing my own mechanical work for half a century. My point was, I suspected a leaking head gasket from the beginning. But this "professional mechanic" ignored my suggestion and instead replaced a bunch of unrelated parts to the tune of $450 without prior authorization. And that relates to the title of this video - "Avoid Getting Ripped Off."
Good video. An indy in my area tried to charge ~$700 for a valve cover gasket on an 08' BMW. I ended up performing the work myself for ~$50 in parts (also replaced other convenience gaskets while I was at it). Don't get ripped off!
Nice work!
My man!!
Just appreciate those people who get straight to the point and explain a topic from all angles, instead of trying to be funny and talk a lot of crap with a stupid background music. You are not one those guys. Thank you very much for a great video .
Thank you very much my friend
Back in aug 2019, i purchased a miata with a possible blown head gasket for $1200( was listed $4500). Put in a bottle of block sealer($10) and close to 10k miles later running like a champ. I did replaced the radiator( about $60) because i think the sealer form a layer of "sealer" over the old radiator causing the car to overheat. Shops quoted me $1500+ for a head gasket job, didnt have the money so i did some research and went in brave.. I have learn so much about cars over the last six months, people on youtube are amazing.
Great job Alan
In my teens I did a diploma course in auto mechanics, plus dad ran his auto repair shop. I then went on to work in an office. Nowadays I do all our vehicles repair and maintenance. Saves a lot of money, plus I don't have to deal with dishonest mechanics.
You're lucky
One of the best instructional/explanatory videos I've ever seen on TH-cam!!!!!
Thanks my friend
My mechanic sucks. I told him that my car was leaking oil. He charged me for everything except that. At the end of all his messing around, he then said that he thinks it's the head gasket. So after spending nearly $1300 bucks on a power steering pump, differentiator, radiator, thermostat and labor my car is still sitting in the same place it was when he started.. Thank God for this video.
That's a common story
I expected this to be pretty hoky, actually it was very informant to a newby and as such will help a lot of people
Thanks Bob
This is the most well explained vid I’ve come across about it so far. I’m about to attempt a valve cover gasket on my 02 explorer. Oil leaking onto the manifold and burning
It is definitely something you can do yourself.
Best video on TH-cam. You my man deserve a youtube award
Your comment is reward enough, thanks
this guy knows how to explain stuff in simple terms with the right amount of detail. cheers
Thanks so much
One of the greatest auto repair videos ever posted on TH-cam. Great explanations and easy to understand. Bravo sir, bravo. Got yourself a subscriber.
Thank you Ken, and welcome
Everything he described is happening to my 04 mazda 6. I was told it was the head gasket smelling like burning oil about a year ago. Wish this guy was my mechanic.
The more you know the better chance you have of not getting ripped off.
By far the best explaination video I have seen so far about this!!!
Thanks my friend
@@PetesGarage Can you help me please, i dont know to much about cars. i have an oil leak from it looks like the head gasket on my 97 toyota tacoma truck manual transmission. I checked my oil and its very low. What do you think could be the problem ? And how much would you think the cost to fix ?
It's impossible to tell without looking at it
@@tomsocala3158 you can try to get some radioactive dye and a UV light (oil leak dye kit. You can add the dye oil and then after running it for a while, you can use the uv light and glasses to find out exactly where it's at.
You can find a video on how to use it.
Really excellent video. As a woman I believe I've been ripped off so many times but without the knowledge you can't argue so thanks very much indeed.
That is unfortunate
This is the best version of breaking it down. And I don't feel like im a dumbass trying to keep up with your analogy and interpretation! Way cool!
We're all here to learn Elias
It won't always show anything, but it's very possible for a blown head gasket to allow both oil and escaping air into the cooling system.
With your motor cool, remove radiator cap. Run engine until warm, with cap off. Look for bubbles or oil floating on top of the coolant.
Cylinder kill tests are usually pretty easy to do, but will set trouble codes on most newer cars. Either unplug the spark wires or ignition coils 1 at a time, see how much of an effect that cylinder has, or doesn't have.
Thanks for the comment
Really appreciate this! Recently, my engine overheated. When I got it to the shop, my mechanic hooked up a fluid tester, and the fluid in the tester was supposed to change color if there were any exhaust gases in the coolant. There were none, but it told me that my compression leak in the number 6 cylinder (another problem I need to take care of) isn't my head gasket -- it's my valve cover gasket. The connection didn't click until I watched your video. You are fantastic and a really good teacher. Thanks!
Good thing you caught that!
This has to be one of the BEST videos I've ever seen. Thank you very much for sharing all your information
Thank you very much my friend
Thanks! Ive been meaning to learning this portion of mechanics. I've been TH-cam studying mechanics for about 3 months now. It's so interesting yet easy to learn the basics. Much more interesting than computer certs I have to try to learn.
Thanks JC
It's a but bothersome knowing the actual head gasket part only costs like $20 but labor is about $1000 😅
Labor is always the killer
Exactly lol
Man did I get ripped off big time
$1500 in labor on most hemis
@@monicaperez1286 `~
Definitely the best Instructional video I’ve seen like this . And to have a block to actually show us exactly what you’re explaining is second to none ! I know this video is a few years old so I’m hoping you still check these messages .
I’m having a issue with 2011 pathfinder . I can drive it every day and never have any smoke come out of the tailpipe when I start it . But for some reason After driving on the highway where I’m hitting higher speeds for a longer period of time I get a puff of white smoke out of the tailpipe when I go to start it again . Normally it’s after the engine cools down and I start it again . And this ONLY happens after driving on the highway . This never happens during normal driving . I’ve checked the coolant and it’s always filled . I’ve checked the coolant overflow and it’s always good , still green with no milk type fluid . I just can’t figure out what the issue is . The smoke does have a coolant type smell to it I believe, but I could definitely be wrong . I just can’t figure out what is causing this or how .
I figured I’d run it past you for any possible help before I take it into the shop and get bent over .
Again thank you Sir for taking the time to make this video . Hopefully everyone appreciates it as much as I do . Thank you
Thank you very much. This is one of those problems you just keep an eye on. If it's only on the highway, it's happening under load for a certain duration. That could just be coincidence. You could get a compression and leak down test to see if a cylinder is starting to lose pressure. I think you would be very successful with a leak fix you put in the coolant if it is a small leak just beginning.
Thank you for this informative video. So hard to find a good mechanic who is honest.
Thanks for watching
This is one of the best videos I ever watched. Quick and simple. Good explanations and quality video. Thank you Pete.
Thank you my friend
Well done educational video for clueless folks like me who wanna learn engine internals.tyvm
Thanks, the purpose fo the video is to help understand what the parts are
Great video. Gave me the courage to attempt a head gasket fix on my '94 Honda Accord. I love that car. Not ready to send her out to the pasture.
You can do it
Great video, thanks. I was always confused about the difference between the head cover gasket and the valve cover gasket. I used to think they were one in the same. Now I know.
I learn something new every day
I once fixed a blown head gasket without taking anything a part using JB weld , and it lasted the life of the car
Fantastic !
What was that, about 150 more miles? 🤣😂
@@curtisbarkes6271 about 3, 4 years daily use then the car got t boned , honest and the car was a k car ha ha ha.
That's interesting, thanks for sharing
I had radiator water seeping out the side of the engine (drivers side), put in Barr's stop Leak. So far so good, been a month.
Clear and concise presentation. Good job!
Thanks so much
@@PetesGarage Could have left the first three minutes off though.
You may have just saved me $5000 (per my mechanic). Second mechanic says "valve cover gasket only" for much less and I'm taking it in for a closer look...at least now I know what to ask about and look for. First shop was "nope, this is what you need, that's all she wrote, $5k and three weeks, please" which of course is a horrendous amount of time and money on my 29-year-old Jeep. At least now I have some idea and am better prepared. Many, many thanks!
Good luck my friend
That was the best explanation of any you tube video I have seen! Thanks for the info and keep them coming!
Thank you Christopher
On my cousin's car. She went to a mechanic due to oil and coolant mixing and believed to be a blown head gasket. Mechanic comfirmed it was from just her explaning the issue and quoted bout 2000 dollars. I did my research and had a look around, turns out this issue is extremely common with this engine type due to the oil and coolant passageways being sealed up against the intake manifold.
Pulled the intake off and found the gasket is allowing the liquids to mix. Turns out a very popular forum site had replacement instructions which says that the gasket fails a lot and to fix is cover with gasket sealant. The gaskant sealant was what cause this issue due to overzealous users. The manufacturer explicably says to only use it in four particular spots.
Did the job over the weekend, as i cleaned all the components due to being anal about cleaniness with cars, for about 100 bucks and the car hasn't had a leak since and it's been 4 years
That's awesome and exactly why asking questions and doing some research is important.
@@PetesGarage i agree, now with the internet there is almost no excuses in informing ourselves.
Thank you for the comprehensive video on this matter. I'm not a mechanic, and yet I understood exactly what you were explaining. 👍🏾
You are welcome!
That was extremely helpful. I was sure it was just my valve cover gasket but u just helped me to confirm it. Thank u
Thanks my friend
I might be spending more than needed for my repair but now I know why. THANK YOU PETE
You're welcome
thank you very much!! i appreciate someone who helps prevent people from getting ripped off, youre awesome!
Thanks Rudy!
I once replaced the head gasket on my old farm ute with one i made from an old cereal box when i was 14ish. Lasted for years.
Also stacking 2 head gaskets on top of each other to take up the gap from a warped head, worked very well at least for older cast iron engines
And chemi-weld, i only ever used it in shitboxes but it always worked and never failed even years later.
Obviously proper repairs are ideal but there are other options for poeple who cannot afford or have access to such services.
The old cereal box repair....lol. Interesting stories, thanks!
Loved how in-depth this video was!
I try to puit in just enough without being over complicated
EXCELLENT job, Pete!! Many mechanics and shops (including dealerships) keep a mystery around cars so they can talk big and make money off of us hard-working public. I shared this with my son and he was able to understand and ask intelligent questions... which prevented him from getting swindled by the Honda dealership out of Valencia, CA. Thank you again!! God bless and success to you.
Excellent, thanks for sharing that!
Head gaskets can fail in a multitude of ways. They can blow oil into the coolant, coolant into the oil, pressurise the coolant system, external leaks, compression leaks between cylinders. They can be tricky to diagnose at times
I agree
Thank you a million times over for the information. This really helps! :) Most people know that regular chain auto maintenance shops are natorious for ripping people off with stuff like this.
Thanks John
Pete's Garage This is hands-down the very best video I have ever seen on car repair. You are an extremely gifted and talented teacher, more than you could know. Can't wait to see the rest. Subscibed!
Wow, thank you my friend
Man, this is a much needed video to have in your playlist if you’re not mechanic savvy
Thank you my friend
Very neat and helpful explanation Pete. Thank you
Thanks my friend
Another great video - clear & simple! Keep them coming Pete.
I'm trying, thanks my friend
very clear explanation man, amazing job
Thanks my friend
I have an 07 Grand Prix with 22K miles. It's leaking coolant around the timing cover gasket. The shop wants $900 to replace the gasket. The gaske itself is $70 and comes with the water pump gasket. Im going to check your other videos out. I just wanted to let you know that I found your video to be very infomative and educational. I appreciate it very much!
Thanks Paul, that sounds about right for a price
@@PetesGarage You are welcome and thank you for the price confirmation! They explained to me it was a big job. I didnt get the feeling they were trying to rip me off. You're video really helped me understand. Best to you!
Wow, this is hands down the best overview of how engines work. Learned a lot. Subscribed!
Thank you very much and welcome my friend
thanks so much sir. very simple and informative video.
Thanks my friend
A true technician never lies
i am a car idiot. in this one video i learned how the internal combustion engine works. thank you pete. excellent video
Thank you Richard
No such thing as a car idiot. Only a learner in the making.
Simply put, head gaskets very rarely leak outside and onto the motor, and in turn leak coolant INTO the cylinders and/or leak engine oil INTO the cooling system. Usually one or the other will look like a milk chocolate substance, and not necessarily immediately either. Takes driving with a blown head gasket to get that mixture. Visible engine oil leaking between the plastic covers and your engine block is most always engine oil leaking from your valve cover gasket(s).. either that or your upper timing seals. I luckily own my own shop but if I didn’t and got an expensive quote for large engine work, I’d pay the diagnostic for a second opinion from a trustworthy place recommended by relatives. If you feel a place might be ripping you off, pay another place for their recommendation without mentioning what the previous shop said. Worth the personal reassurance.
Great comment, thank you very much!
going down the rabbit hole to teach myself about cars
Good place to go
I learned so much, this is truly fascinating how an engine works.
I'm happy to help
Thank-you, nicely done, really nice info. One more piece of info for other viewers I thought of while you were talking about the valve cover gasket. Oil leaking around the valve cover or a broken valve cover gasket often has a root cause. And that root cause is often a blocked or collapsed PCV hose or stuck PCV valve. When the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system malfunctions, too much pressure builds up in the crank-case. And if it doesn't blow your valve cover/gasket it will blow something else, whatever is weakest. The pressure has to release somewhere. Don't just fix the symptom (leaking or broken valve cover gasket), fix the root cause.
Great comment, thank you
Author, you are a true genius. Thank you for explaining this so visually and clearly. QUESTION: If the exhaust is white and there's coolant in the oil, can a head gasket sealant help, like Bar's or any other, at least for a few months or several thousand miles on an old car? Thank you!
Thanks Alex, it's worth a try. I can work depending on the severity of the leak.
Excellent advice,159 shady mechanics disliked this...
I'm sure it doesn't make them happy.
A few years back I noticed a knock in my 350ci chevy truck engine after hauling a heavy load up a steep hill.It sounded like a rod knock ,noticeable loss of power with a miss ,so I did a compression test and found low pressure between number two and four cylinder ,pulled off the head and found the gasket had blown between them , but where was I getting the knocking from? I dropped the oil pan removed number two and four piston and found nothing wrong with the bearings or wrist pins and reinstalled them. Well after asking several mechanics in my area ,with no good answers by the way ,then I thought about it after a few weeks and was about to give up when I decided to roll the engine around and follow the firing order while observing piston placement of number two and four and found that when number two was at tdc it was firing and (due to the blown gasket between cylinders) making number four piston skirt slap the cylinder wall as it was at the bottom of its stroke at the same time and that was the source of the knock.So to make a long story short, all I needed to do was to replaced the head gasket........I just thought maybe someone out there might benefit from this story.
That is some awesome trouble shooting. Thank you for sharing it!
Thanks man I'm going threw the same issue pulled a d21 for about 10 miles loss power truck was knocking really bad. I'm about to pull heads tonight.
I sure did. Thanks pal.
First video that mention the difference between head gasket and valve. 👍 seen some vids of people calling head gasket “valve” 🤦♂️
Great video, you explained it simply without rushing through it, nicely done
Thanks Nathan
this video was extremely informative. Thank you.
Thanks my friend
@@PetesGarage what state are you in ?
i got ripped off so had to learn how to do it myself. i had a chance to look at other things while my head was off i found a bent rod and other gaskets that needed to be replaced which would have stayed damaged if i would not done the work myself i dont trust any shop anymore it was always the same story it will cost $1500 to $2000 to fix
Thanks Freddy
I don’t understand why it has to cost that much, does it really cost that much to replace such a simple piece of equipment?
@@TheCreator919 The heads aren't always very accessible like this video with a motor out of the vehicle. You have to take many things off to get to them, not super hard, but can be time consuming.
This is the video I have been looking for! It can be intimidating as a woman to want to learn about cars and how to repair them yourself. This is so straight forward, and very detailed! I really appreciate it. I would like to learn more about how the valves and rockers work. I saw your video with the foam cylinder head but would like to know more if you are looking for content. Thank you again!
Thanks Jessica. I have a few video series on building engines. The would help you understand them more. Please look through my channel, you will find many to help you. th-cam.com/play/PLadDQnvFIb-m6WB3XfMiETYdGMlnHJXy2.html
I lost faith in shops when I got quoted 400 dollars to do a valve cover gasket and it took me 20 minutes to do
Wow, that's a rip off for sure.
I got 800 I’ll do it myself