Can a bad water pump cause a blown head gasket?
Pay attention to what your vehicle is telling you and avoid being stranded, and stuck with an even larger repair bill. Coolant leaking from the water pump is one major indicator of a failing head gasket. When the coolant is low, the vehicle can quickly overheat and lead to a blown engine.
What happens when head gasket is blown?
If the head gasket fails in such a way it allows the compressed air/fuel to escape, the compression of that cylinder is reduced. This loss of compression results in a rough running engine and a notable reduction in engine power. This sort of failure typically is accompanied by a sound like an exhaust leak.
How to know if the head gasket or water pump leaks?
The antifreeze level should be approximately one inch from the top of the radiator. Add antifreeze if the level is low, then install the radiator cap. Drive the vehicle until the engine is at normal operating temperature, then park the vehicle and allow the engine to cool.
What happens if you blow your head gasket?
Blowing your head gasket is a common problem for motorists – especially if you have an older car. If you’re not careful this can result in damage to the engine and high head gasket repair costs. You could even require a mechanic to replace the head gasket entirely, for no small cost.
Can a water pump leak cause an engine to overheat?
The extend of the damage caused by an antifreeze leak depends on where the leak is coming from. If the leak comes from the water pump, the problem is more of an inconvenience rather than a major undertaking, as the radiator will have to be periodically replenished with antifreeze to prevent the engine from overheating.
When to replace the head gasket on a car?
If the needle fluctuates rapidly, the cylinder head gasket is defective and must be replaced. If the engine is equipped with two cylinder heads, it will be necessary to determine which of the two head gaskets is defective. Remove one spark plug wire at a time from its spark plug while monitoring the needle on the pressure gauge.
