5 Main Symptoms of Cylinder Head Gasket Problems

When it comes to replacing a 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. To save you time and money in the long term, we’ve written a quick guide on what a diesel engine cylinder head is and how to recognise the most common cylinder head gasket problems. 

A vehicle’s internal combustion engine contains many cylinders, which are each topped by a cylinder head. Components of a cylinder head include various valves, springs, lifters and the main combustion chamber. The cylinder head allows air and fuel in and exhaust gases out, controlling flow within the cylinders.

A cylinder head closes the combustion chamber and works closely alongside the head gasket to seal the cylinders in the vehicle. Importantly, a diesel engine cylinder head prevents the engine from overheating by keeping the engine components cool and transporting coolant into the engine block. 

Engine Overheating

One of the most common signs of a cracked or broken diesel engine cylinder head is the engine overheating. Heat puts the cylinder under pressure, preventing coolant from passing through and causing the components inside the internal combustion engine to overheat; as a result, the components distort in shape. To avoid damage to the cylinder head and prevent overheating, make sure your radiator is full and in good condition.

Poor Engine Performance

A clear indicator of a cylinder head gasket problem is poor engine performance. This can be due to the diesel engine cylinder head breaking or cracking, which results in the engine being unable to burn fuel efficiently. Poor engine performance is instantly noticeable as you will likely experience reduced power, lower fuel efficiency, sluggish acceleration and needing to frequently restart the car.

 Oil Leaks

If you find oil leaking from your vehicle, this may be due to a cracked cylinder head. Even if you can’t see a leak yourself, but 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, cracks may cause the oil to leak out.

Drop In Coolant Level

A drop in the engine coolant level might also cause a leak, which can be easily identified and seen on the cylinder head. A leak could be caused by a crack in the diesel engine cylinder head, which could lead to more long-term issues as the engine overheats due to the lack of coolant.

Smoke

Smoke coming from the exhaust is the clearest indicator that you could have a cracked cylinder head. In this instance, the damage is likely to be much more severe. If you notice smoke coming from the exhaust, you must have a professional assess the damage and try to repair it as soon as possible to ensure no further damage is caused to the engine.

Before replacing damaged parts and reassembling your 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 for your damaged 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 that require professional care. Let us know your engine number and what problems you’re experiencing with your diesel vehicle so we can determine the root of the problem. For further information and advice on diesel engine problems, read our blog.