Detroit Diesel or Cummins head gaskets can blow when the seal between the cylinder head and engine block busts. Your head gasket sits between these two areas of the engine to perform its duties – when it fails, your coolant and oil can both leak, and gas can escape from the combustion chamber.
There are many reasons for head gasket failure within your Detroit Diesel or Cummins engine, but the most common cause tends to be overheating. In these models, high engine temperatures themselves are typically caused by a lack of coolant within the radiator, which can also occur from a leak. Some head gaskets can weaken sooner depending on the materials used, such as composite vs. multi-layered steel. Once the head gasket has blown, you must address it immediately. If you continue to operate your vehicle as normal with a broken head gasket, you can cause severe and sometimes irreparable damage to the motor. After a gasket blows, it can no longer act as a seal to maintain the pressure that is key for engine power.
Luckily, there are some signs of a blown head gasket you can look for to ensure you can go about replacing it as soon as possible. Some of the signs of a blown head gasket to watch for include:
- Thick, white smoke coming from your exhaust.
- Poor engine performance & a rough noise during idle.
- Milky-colored engine oil due to the mixing of fluids.
- An overheating engine or bubbles in the radiator.
- Oil and coolant leaks on the exterior of the vehicle.
These symptoms may appear minor at first, and you may be tempted to ignore them. We highly recommend you get your vehicle checked out immediately if you notice one or all of them. Minor problems can quickly become big ones, and they may be signs you need to start thinking about replacing your head gasket.
If You’re Thinking About Replacing Your Head Gasket for Your Cummin or Detroit Diesel Engine, Shop ProDieselParts
How to Prevent Head Gasket Failures
The best way to prevent head gasket failure for a Cummins or Detroit Diesel engine is to ensure your cooling system is working correctly and keep your engine properly tuned. Sticking to Cummins or Detroit Diesel’s recommended service schedule is the best way to keep your head gasket in a healthy condition. When you flush your coolant or antifreeze, always replace it with high-quality products that offer good protection for your engine.
For any questions or assistance in purchasing a head gasket give us a call at +1 786-715-8258 or email us at sales@prodieselparts.com, our skilled staff will be more than happy to help you.