Q: Head gaskets leaking

asked by on February 14, 2016

The head gaskets in my car are leaking.

Valve cover gasket is leaking Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

These engines, if turbocharged, can have various problems; the system over-boosted and blew the head gaskets, or the engine overheated and warped the heads, causing the gaskets to leak. Either way, this may have damaged the heads, so the repair might not be just a simple gasket change; you may need new heads, or your block cracked. If you already know that you have a leaking gasket, I recommend that you have a mechanic, like ones from YourMechanic, come by and check your car for you to verify that the head gaskets are leaking, and determine why they started leaking.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car not shifting correctly
The gear shifting mechanism or cables are causing a problem due to a bad bushing, or lever out of adjustment. If all the cables and bushings are okay, then you possibly have an inside shift fork problem. The cables should...
power steering pump makes noise.
The power steering pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-power-steering-pump) may be going bad if you are hearing a grinding noise. The fluid should not be red, unless the fluid was flushed out and replaced with transmission fluid. Power steering fluid is light brown like...
Found out 1st cylinder in car has no compression....what are my options?
The first thing you have to do is confirm such a diagnosis by getting a second opinion. It is unusual for three cylinders to be perfectly normal and one to have "no" compression. Nevertheless, it is possible. A cylinder can...
Dark green sludge
Hi, thanks for writing in. Dark green sludge is most likely grease from an outer CV joint boot that has split open on whichever side you are seeing it. If you would like help with the repairs, consider having an...
Converting manual transmission to automatic
In order to do this swap, you will need to have the powertrain control module(PCM) from the vehicle that has the manual transmission. The PCM from your automatic transmission truck will likely not work when the manual transmission is installed....
What parts will I need for a timing chain replacement and how many of each. Is my engine interference or non interference?
Hello - your engine does use a timing chain, and that engine is not an interference (valve-to-piston) engine. However, having said that - if the chain breaks, especially at anything above an idle, the broken chain can jam the crankshaft...
Check engine light on
The Check Engine Light (CEL) could have illuminated for many reasons of course inasmuch as there are thousands of Diagnostic Trouble codes that could set the CEL. You can borrow a Code Scanner from Autozone and manually force the reset....
Trouble Code P0430, assume it is the catalytic converter. Need parts and labor to R&R.
Hello: P0430 is a generic diagnostic trouble code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0430-obd-ii-trouble-code-catalyst-system-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-2-by-spencer-clayton) that indicates a malfunction within the catalyst system. It may been seen with misfire codes and oxygen sensor codes. Before you get a quote for replacing the catalytic converter, you may...
Vibration at idle, fuel smell, no codes
If you smell fuel then do not try and drive the vehicle since it may have a fuel leak and may catch fire. You should have a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come to you and check the car for...

Related articles

How to Buy a Good Quality Idle Control Valve
There There are many different times when you will be idling your car; when you’re sitting in front of the gas station waiting for someone to go in and grab a snack or a drink, or while you’re sitting in...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Exhaust Manifold Gasket
If the engine is noisy, causing performance issues, or smells burnt, you may need to replace the exhaust manifold gasket.
Symptoms of Bad or Failing Intake Manifold Gaskets
Common signs include the engine constantly overheating, coolant leaking, engine misfires, and a decrease in power, acceleration, and fuel economy.