Located between the cylinder head and the cylinder block, the cylinder head gasket is a critical sealing part of the engine. It serves the main functions of sealing the combustion chamber and providing a passage for coolant and lubricating oil.
Main functions of a cylinder head gasket:
Sealing: The cylinder head gasket can effectively seal the cylinder, prevent mixing of gases (such as combustion gases), oil, and coolant, and guarantee normal operation of the engine.
Leakage prevention: It prevents ingress of oil and coolant into the combustion chamber, therefore maintaining adequate performance and temperature control in the engine.
Resistance to pressure and temperature: Because the cylinder head gasket needs to withstand high temperature and high pressure generated by the engine during operation, it is typically made of materials resistant to high temperature and corrosion, such as multi-layer metal or composite materials.
Common symptoms of a failed cylinder head gasket:
Engine overheating: If the cylinder head gasket is damaged, coolant may seep into the combustion chamber, causing engine overheating or lower efficiency of the cooling system.
Mixing of coolant and oil: A cylinder head gasket failure can cause mixing of coolant and oil, and a typical symptom is emulsification in the oil sump.
Reduced power of the engine: Loss of pressure may occur in the gas mixture (fuel and air) in the engine, resulting in problems such as insufficient power and slow acceleration.
Abnormal exhaust: There may be white smoke in the emissions, and coolant may enter the combustion chamber.
Causes of a cylinder head gasket failure:
Aging or wear: Long exposure to high temperature, high pressure, or chemical corrosion during use of the cylinder head gasket may cause material aging or wear.
Improper installation: If a replacement cylinder head gasket is not installed properly, poor sealing and malfunction may ensue.
Engine overheating: Long-term overheating of the engine can cause failure of the cylinder head gasket and degrade its sealing performance.
Material defect: The use of inferior or unsuitable cylinder head gasket materials may also lead to premature failure of the cylinder head gasket.
