Explaination of head gasket failure

[Sheppard000]

Although, I am a novice to mechanics. Is it possible for forum members to explain how vehicles suffer from head gasket failure?

Is it to do with poor servicing, engine oil etc.

Thank you for advising myself on this topic

[abu-bakr]

there is around 7-8 different ways a headgasket develops a leak,

mostly its due to poor servicing and maintenance, although certain engines are just very, very badly designed and poorly built using scrap!

Knowing what car/engine in particular would help,

whats happened with yours?

[GreenV8S]

Sheppard000 said:

Is it possible for forum members to explain how vehicles suffer from head gasket failure?

Is it to do with poor servicing, engine oil etc.

Can be aggravated by overheating or detonation, but sometimes it just happens.

[wildoliver]

It isn't really a maintenance issue, provided the water level is kept right, the engine is set up correctly (not an issue on standard modern engines), then it's just pot luck when one goes, as said some engines are prone, and turbo or very high compression engines are more prone.

Generally the "safest" engines are big lazy understressed units with low compressions! Little alloy block and head with big turbos are the most prone.

[Boosted LS1]

Engines heat cycle and so does the gasket so they do have a life expectency. Then there are all sorts of other reasons why they could fail, heat, corrosion, temps, incorrect torque settings, warpage, seepage and on and on.

[abu-bakr]

Whats your problem there anyway buddy?

Is it a project, or your own car etc, or just curiosity?

Any more info??

[abu-bakr]

wildoliver said:

It isn't really a maintenance issue, provided the water level is kept right, the engine is set up correctly (not an issue on standard modern engines), then it's just pot luck when one goes, as said some engines are prone, and turbo or very high compression engines are more prone.

Generally the "safest" engines are big lazy understressed units with low compressions! Little alloy block and head with big turbos are the most prone.

Don't forget the VAG diesels, high compression and some heavy turbo pressures on some models and although pumps and turbos go (turbo's generally through oil starvation due to improper oil maintenance). They don't as often as other vehicles have headgasket failures

[Sheppard000]

abu-bakr said:

Whats your problem there anyway buddy?

Is it a project, or your own car etc, or just curiosity?

Any more info??

Sorry, curiosity. I have seen a few vehicle from different car makers, with HG failure. I did know why it appears so common.

Thank you for all of the replies, I do have a better understanding of this topic

[annodomini2]

Sheppard000 said:

abu-bakr said:

Whats your problem there anyway buddy?

Is it a project, or your own car etc, or just curiosity?

Any more info??

Sorry, curiosity. I have seen a few vehicle from different car makers, with HG failure. I did know why it appears so common.

Thank you for all of the replies, I do have a better understanding of this topic

The headgasket is designed for 2 reasons, to compensate for mechanical variance between the cylinder head and the block (providing a good seal and also as a weak point in the engine so if there is a problem the headgasket is supposed to fail and not the rest of the engine allowing you to repair the engine rather than scrap it.

Typical reasons for failure are:
1. Excess cylinder pressure.
2. Excess oil pressure.
3. Excess coolant pressure.