What causes a head gasket to blow? How do you fix it?

Question

I have a 1999 Honda Accord LX V-Tech engine.

Answer 1

Some engines just have a history of blowing head gaskets.

Some head gasket failures can be blamed on a hard-to-seal cylinder head.

Overheating is also a very common cause of head gasket failures. If the engine gets too hot, the cylinder head can swell to the point where it crushes the head gasket (usually between the cylinders because this is the thinnest point). The extruded material and/or cracked combustion armor then provides a leak path for coolant and/or combustion gases.

Another common cause of head gasket failure is excessive pressure in the combustion chamber. This can be the result of detonation and/or pre-ignition.

Answer 2

Blown Head Gasket Causes

Answer 3

I will try to answer your question as best I can. You did not give me a lot of information to go by. First you will need to brake the engine down to where you can get to the head bolts to remove the head. This entails a lot of work as you have to remove everything. Then you will need any and all gaskets to replace not only the head gasket but any other gaskets for the head. Such as the FI manifold gasket, exhaust header gaskets, etc.

You will have to have the know how to do this job or get a repair manual that will help you with the information you need to do it. You should also have a good understand of the terms and word used by mechanics. You should also determine what mad the head gasket blow in the first place. If that problem isn't fixed then a new gasket will blow as well.

Unless you are a good mechanic, I would take it to a good repair shop. Once you start taking things apart most mechanics won't touch you car as parts could be missing and they won't take the responsibility for what you have done to the engine. It could end up costing you more than the car is worth.

My best advice is to find a friend of family member that is good with cars, then find a good garage and take your friend/family member with you to get an estimate for the repairs. You friend/family will make sure you are getting a fair deal. Its the smart thing to do if you aren't a mechanic...

Hope this will help you with your problem...

Answer 4

The head gasket is the seal between the head and block of your engine. Age, weather, and hard driving all contribute to the head gasket blowing. Depending on where the head gasket is leaking, it can be causing you to leak or burn oil, coolant or a loss of compression.

On your car, you have to take a LOT of things apart before you can actually get to the head gasket... and I mean a LOT. It would take a mechanic several hours to do this job--realistically an entire day.

So, even though the actual replacement gasket isn't expensive, the labor costs would make this project really not worth it on a 1999 Accord unless the car really means that much to you.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What causes a head gasket to blow? How do you fix it?
I have a 1999 Honda Accord LX V-Tech engine.

Answer 6

too much pressure, or not enough clamping power on the gasket itself. it is possible to also blow a head gasket just by not allowing the vehicle to warm up. the metal itself will expand to clamp the gasket into place.
you fix it by going through a hole lot of work. tearing down half of the engine, replacing any and all disturbed gaskets and seals, timing belt since you had to pull it of any way, and reassemble the engine, change the oil, and the coolant. make all the adjustments (valves, ignition timing etc.) and remember to avoid the situation that put you in this position in the first place.

Answer 7

too much high revving could cause gasket to blow. to fix it, remove the head and repalce it

Answer 8

too much pressure,,,,, prob u kept the car in low gear at high rev for too long,,,
uhhhh about fixing,, u can carry it to a machine shop n let them skim the gasket,, but if it has been skimmed already u might have to change it,,, also skimmin ur head gasket gives u a lil more uhhhmp,, so go for it man,, dnt waste $$$ replacing it unless u need to,

good luck

Answer 9

overreviing will cause your head gasket to blow and overheating will too

Answer 10

If you can do it yourself, you ll save money if done right. watch you tube( most of the time) can give you all the info you need to pull engine apart and put back together. Remember the head will need to be checked for cracks and straightness. Also on some engines you will need to replace the Head bolts