Can you drive a car with a bad head gasket?

The short answer is no, you should not drive a car with a bad head gasket. A bad head gasket can cause serious engine damage if the vehicle is driven in that condition. However, there are some circumstances where you may be able to temporarily drive a car with a minor head gasket issue, but it's generally not recommended and should be addressed as soon as possible.

What is a Head Gasket?

The head gasket is a critical component in an internal combustion engine. It forms a seal between the engine block and the cylinder head, preventing coolant and engine oil from leaking into the combustion chambers. A bad or failing head gasket can allow these fluids to mix, leading to a variety of problems.

Symptoms of a Bad Head Gasket

Some common signs that a head gasket is failing include:

• Coolant or oil leaks


• Overheating


• White, milky-looking engine oil


• Bubbles in the radiator or coolant reservoir


• Loss of coolant without any visible leaks


• Rough engine idling or misfiring

If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.

Risks of Driving with a Bad Head Gasket

Driving with a bad head gasket can lead to several serious issues:

• Engine Damage: A leaking head gasket can allow coolant to mix with engine oil, which can damage internal engine components like bearings, pistons, and the crankshaft.


• Overheating: A head gasket leak can cause the engine to overheat, which can lead to further damage if not addressed.li>
  
• Emissions Issues: A bad head gasket can cause unburnt fuel and exhaust gases to escape, leading to increased emissions and potential issues with passing emissions tests.

For these reasons, it's generally not recommended to drive a vehicle with a bad head gasket. The best course of action is to have the issue repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the engine.

Temporary Driving with a Minor Head Gasket Leak

In some cases, a minor head gasket leak may not immediately require a full engine repair. If the leak is small and the engine is not overheating or experiencing other major issues, it may be possible to temporarily drive the vehicle, but with caution:

• Check and top up the coolant level regularly


• Avoid high-RPM driving or towing heavy loads


• Monitor the engine temperature closely and pull over if it starts to overheat


• Plan to have the head gasket repaired as soon as possible

However, this is not a long-term solution, and the head gasket should be repaired as soon as feasible to prevent further damage to the engine.

Will a car still work with a blown head gasket?

Yes, you can drive a car with a blown head gasket. Depending on where the gasket is severed, you will either use a lot of water, or oil. I had an '82 Buick Skylark that developed a blown head gasket and I drove it about a week or so before he finally seized the engine.

Is it worth fixing a car with a blown head gasket?

Whether a blown head gasket is worth fixing depends on the car's value and the extent of the damage. It's likely worth repairing if the vehicle is in good overall condition and the repair cost is significantly less than the car's market value. However, it may not be worth the cost if the repair will exceed the car's value or if the engine has sustained severe damage, potentially making a new-to-you car a better investment. 
This video demonstrates how to diagnose a blown head gasket and its potential consequences: 54sDonutYouTube · Sep 30, 2020
When to fix a blown head gasket

• Your car is in good condition and valuable: If the vehicle has low mileage, is reliable, and you plan to keep it for a long time, the cost of a head gasket replacement can be justified. 
• The repair cost is significantly less than the car's value: A common rule of thumb is that the repair cost should be less than half the vehicle's worth. 
• The damage is limited: The head gasket failure hasn't caused other major engine issues like a warped or cracked block. 

When it may not be worth fixing

• The repair cost is close to or exceeds the car's value: If the repair is expensive and the vehicle is older or has high mileage, you might be better off selling the car for parts or buying a different one. 
• There is severe engine damage: A blown head gasket can sometimes lead to more serious problems like a damaged engine block or head, which can make the repair too expensive and not worth the cost. 
• The vehicle has other major issues: If the car has multiple significant problems, a head gasket repair may not be a wise investment. 

Other options to consider

• DIY sealers: For less valuable vehicles, a DIY head gasket sealer can be a temporary or potentially permanent low-cost solution to buy some time or prevent further damage, but a proper repair may still be needed later. 
• Replacing the engine: In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace the entire engine rather than just the head gasket, especially if the head itself is damaged. 

You can watch this video to learn about a temporary fix for a blown head gasket: 58sChrisFixYouTube · Oct 18, 2021

How does a car act with a blown head gasket?

A car with a blown head gasket will exhibit engine overheating, loss of power, and white smoke from the exhaust, while its fluids may mix to create milky oil or cause bubbling in the radiator. The engine may also run rough or have difficulty starting. 
Performance and engine symptoms

• Loss of power: The engine will feel sluggish and less responsive, especially during acceleration, because of a loss of compression in one or more cylinders. 
• Rough or poor running: The engine may idle roughly or misfire, as combustion can be disrupted by coolant entering the cylinders. 
• Difficulty starting: The engine may be hard to start due to the loss of compression. 

Fluid and external leaks

• White smoke from the exhaust: Burning coolant can create white, sweet-smelling smoke that comes out of the tailpipe. 
• Milky or frothy oil: Coolant can mix with the engine oil, giving it a milky or chocolate-milk-like appearance on the dipstick or oil cap. 
• Coolant loss: The coolant level will drop without any visible external leaks because the fluid is being consumed by the engine. 
• Bubbling in the cooling system: Combustion gases can be pushed into the coolant system, causing bubbles to appear in the radiator or the coolant reservoir. 
• External leaks: You may see visible leaks of coolant from the area of the head gasket. 

Other indicators

• Engine overheating: The temperature gauge will likely spike quickly, as the cooling system is compromised. 
• Steam from under the hood: Overheating can also cause steam to escape from the engine bay. 

This video shows how to check for a blown head gasket: 54s2CarProsYouTube · Apr 14, 2016

How long can you drive on a bad head gasket?

You should avoid driving with a bad head gasket and address the issue as soon as possible, as continued use can lead to severe engine damage and expensive repairs. If you must drive, only do so for very short distances, monitor the engine temperature and coolant level constantly, and be prepared for potential engine failure. 
Risks of driving with a blown head gasket

• Overheating: The engine can overheat quickly due to the loss of coolant, potentially causing cracked cylinder heads. 
• Engine oil contamination: Coolant can mix with the oil, which reduces its ability to lubricate the engine and can lead to damage to critical components like bearings. 
• Hydraulic lock: If coolant enters a cylinder, it can prevent a piston from completing its stroke, which can cause catastrophic engine damage and is why you should never try to start an engine that has coolant in the cylinders. 
• Reduced power: A blown head gasket can cause a loss of compression, resulting in a significant loss of engine power. 
• Further damage: The initial problem can lead to a cascade of other issues, increasing the overall cost of repairs. 

What to do if you have a bad head gasket

• Check symptoms: Look for symptoms like white smoke from the exhaust, coolant in the oil, or a consistently overheating engine. 
• Drive only when necessary: If you have to drive, do it for the shortest distance possible. 
• Monitor closely: Keep a close watch on your temperature gauge and check your coolant levels frequently. 
• Do not ignore warning signs: If the engine starts to overheat, shut it off immediately to prevent further damage. 
• Get a professional assessment: The safest and most cost-effective solution is to have a mechanic diagnose the problem and replace the head gasket as soon as possible.