What causes a head gasket to go?

[Colin1882]

Can it be avoided or at least minimised at all? my last car had a head gasket go and i am now wondering if it could of been avoided at all or if i could of done more to avoid it?

Thanks in advance.

[Magic919]

Could of not driven it.

[PositronicRay]

Overheating is often the cause. Poor design and poor fitting don't help.

Sometimes they just fail.

[SuperchargedVR6]

As already said, the usual reason is overheating, and the main causes for that are:-

Dead radiator fans.
Worn water pump.
No coolant.

Ever since multi-layered head gaskets were introduced, failures are becoming a thing of the past, but the above 3 easily preventable reasons will kill off any engine quick smart.

[Tame Technician]

Antifreeze/Coolant change every 5 years (with the correct OEM stuff) to avoide corrosion to the water jacket.

Without an outside influence (over heating as discussed) I've only seen one head gasket fail in the last 5-6 years.


Did the last car you owned have a rover K series engine in it ??

Edited by Tame Technician on Monday 19th January 22:43

[Who me ?]

As TT said- Rover K series is aligned with poor driver gauge awareness. Sweep should be mirror, left right, speedo AND DASH GUAGES. IF temperature gauge climbs, then get heater on ,on hot ,FAST. If HEATER goes cold and gauge keeps climbing /goes to cold , get off road and stop, then find out WHY. NEVER add cold water to an over hot engine. IF you can catch an engine low on coolant,WITH A SLIGHTLY HOT ENGINE, it's possible to SLOWLY add water whilst the engine is running . BUT SLOWLY.

[Colin1882]

Appreciate all your replies guys/girls if any! thanks a lot!
Really good advice and guidance cheers!
BTW my last car was a Vauxhall Astra 2006 where the head gasket went.

[S0 What]

Done a fair few astras from around then, mostly petrols and mostly due to corrosion and the crap ally they used for the heads disolving, all required welding or another head, cause, weak or no antifreeze.