How much damage could a leaking head gasket cause?

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Oct 17, 2008 | 10:35 AM

AznMuscle

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From: Someplace Hot

How much damage could a leaking head gasket cause?

I had my car in the shop getting my clutch replaced, and I had a small coolant leak. I had the shop look at it, and low and behold, the driver side gasket is leaking. I have no idea how long it has been leaking, but enough for me to have to put water and coolant into the radiator twice in the last couple of months. Being aluminum head and block, is their a good chance either one could be warped? Car is not out of the shop yet, but when it is, I’m taking it to another shop and have them tear down the engine and measure everything to make sure it is still fine. Heads I am not worried about, but the block yes. Anyway, just wondering how much damage could I potentially have? Thanks.

Oct 17, 2008 | 10:45 AM

02 BLK WS6

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If it doesn't leak into the oil or cylinder and you keep the coolant level up, you will be fine. Just be careful if you drive it. The gasket is compromised and will get worse.

Oct 17, 2008 | 10:47 AM

AznMuscle

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Yea, I know it will get worse, so I'm parking it once its out of the shop, until I can fix it. The main thing that is in the back of my mind is block warpage.

Oct 17, 2008 | 11:11 AM

DaveX

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The biggest danger is that it leaks into the cylinder while it's sitting. Then you start it, it hydrolocks and blows a hole in the cylinder.

Oct 17, 2008 | 11:27 AM

AznMuscle

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveX

The biggest danger is that it leaks into the cylinder while it's sitting. Then you start it, it hydrolocks and blows a hole in the cylinder.

****. That makes me feel real great. Well after I drive it to the shop to get it checked out, it will sit while I pull the heads and put the new ones on. Hydrolocking deffenatly isn't fun. Would the piston go first, or could the rod snap and go through the block?

Oct 17, 2008 | 03:50 PM

DaveX

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AznMuscle

Not trying to scare you but I have seen a few threads where someone's car was sitting for a while, they started it and *kaboom*, big hole in the block. Since the blocks are aluminum they can let go when hydrolocked but who's to say what would let go first.