What are the Main Symptoms of Cylinder Head Problems?

A cylinder head is a very important and essential part of any vehicle engine. Due to the intricacy of the components of a cylinder head, prices for repairing or replacing a cracked or broken cylinder head can be expensive depending on your vehicle’s engine and where you choose to get it repaired.

To save you time and money in the long-term, we’re here to give a quick guide on what a diesel engine cylinder head is and how to recognise the most common problems found in components of a cylinder head. 

A vehicle’s internal combustion engine contains many cylinders, with the top of them know as the cylinder head; components of a cylinder head house various valves, springs, lifters and also the main combustion chamber. The cylinder head allows air and fuel in and exhausts gases out, controlling flow within the cylinders.

A cylinder head allows for the combustion chamber to be closed and works closely alongside the head gasket to seal the cylinders in the vehicle. Additionally, a diesel engine cylinder head is a key component in keeping the engine components cool, by transporting coolant into the engine block. 

Overheating

One of the most common symptoms of an issue with a diesel engine cylinder head is overheating. As the cylinder is put under pressure by the heat, it causes the components inside the internal combustion engine to overheat, as they can’t pass coolant through and, therefore, they distort in shape. To avoid damage to the cylinder head, make sure your radiator is full and in good condition to prevent overheating from happening.

Poor Engine Performance

A very clear indicator of a cylinder head problem is when there is poor engine performance. This issue can be due to the diesel engine cylinder head breaking or cracking, which can result in the engine not being able to burn fuel efficiently. This poor performance will be instantly noticeable as the engine won’t be running the same, and you’ll find you may have to restart the car more frequently. 

Oil Leaks

If you find you have oil leaking from the vehicle, this may be a result of a cracked cylinder head. Even if you can’t see a leak yourself and the oil light appears on the dashboard, check the engine to see if there’s any evidence of oil around the cylinder head. As a diesel engine cylinder head contains oil, if it’s cracked, it may cause the oil to leak out.

Drop In Coolant Level

A drop in the level of engine coolant may cause a leak, which can be easily identified and be seen on the cylinder head. A leak could be caused due to a crack in the diesel engine cylinder head, and this could cause more long-term issues as the engine starts to heat up from the lack of coolant.

Smoke

Smoke coming from the exhaust is the clearest indicator that you could have a cracked cylinder head. The crack and damage are most likely to be a lot more severe in this instance. If this has occurred, you should try and get this problem fixed as soon as possible by a professional, to ensure no further damage is caused to the engine.

When it comes to needing a new diesel engine cylinder head, it’s important to remember that all diesel engines are different and, as such, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution, whether it’s a common or uncommon issue.

Before simply replacing damaged parts and reassembling the engine, it’s important to determine the cause of the problem and address the issue. Once you’ve identified the issue, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Foxwood Diesel team for replacements and repairs of damaged components of a cylinder head. 

With our expert knowledge of diesel parts, we offer highly effective reconditioning and rebuilding solutions at our engine machining centre for worn-out engines requiring professional care. Let us know your engine number, and exactly what difficulty you’ve experienced to help us determine what the root of the problem could be. For further information and advice on diesel engine problems, why not have a read of our blog?