Premiere Service Center In Heath To Treat Subaru’s Blown Head Gasket

The performance excellence of Subaru vehicles comes from its engine. The head gasket in the engine is a crucial sealing component that is positioned between the engine block and the cylinder head. Its functions include;

• It contains and holds the extreme heat and pressure generated during the combustion cycle within the cylinder, ensuring the maximum amount of power is transferred to the piston.
• It seals the coolant and oil passage that runs between the cylinder head and the engine block, preventing the mixing of vehicle fluids and fuel mixture.

Common Causes Behind the Damage of the Head Gasket of the Subaru Engine

The damage to the head gasket of the engine is almost always attributed to a symptom of another vehicle malfunction. Some common causes include;

Overheating

This is the most common cause of head gasket damage in Subaru. When the engine overheats, the cylinder head expands at a different rate than the engine block, as they are made up of other materials. This causes the head gasket seal to wrap and be damaged.

Detonation/Engine Knock

Engine knock/detonation is the sudden, excessive, and uncontrollable combustion of the fuel mixture in the engine cylinder, emulating an explosion. This creates an extreme amount of heat and pressure that the head gasket couldn’t contain. This causes damage to the gasket, forming cracks and breaches.

Improper Installation

The gasket works in a high-heat and high-pressure environment within the Subaru engine, and it requires a multi-stage torquing sequence for proper installation. If the gasket is not installed correctly or old bolts are reused in installing it, then it faces uneven clamping forces, creating weak spots. These spots then create cracks under high pressure.

Age and Mileage

After thousands of miles and repeated, continuous heat cycles, the material of the head gaskets degrades and loses its sealing ability due to becoming brittle. This makes the gasket prone to failure, as it can easily cause leaks and cracks.

Impact of a Damaged Head Gasket in Subaru

The damage to the head gasket allows for the intermixing of engine oil, coolant, and fuel in a high-pressure environment. This causes;

• Entry and burning of coolant in the combustion chamber, causing a copious amount of white smoke from the exhaust.
• The creation of air pockets in the coolant lines prevents coolant flow, causing the engine to overheat.
• Mixing engine oil and coolant causes the emulsification of oil, damaging its lubricating capacity.
• Low levels of engine oil and coolant are indicated on the dashboard.
• The engine misfires due to compromised combustion in the cylinder.

Repair and Maintenance of the Head Gasket in the Subaru Engine

Repair of the engine head gasket in Subaru starts with a proper diagnosis of the issue. A visual inspection of the oil and coolant condition is done. Then, more sophisticated tests, such as a cooling system pressure test, chemical combustion leak test, and cylinder-leak down test, are conducted to identify the cause and origin of the issue.

The repair for this issue involves replacing the old and damaged head gasket with a new, OEM-made head gasket. This process involves draining old fuel, disassembling the engine, replacing gaskets, torquing components, reassembling the engine, and performing an appropriate fluid refill. Additionally, the engine components are inspected and repaired while the module is disassembled to rectify the damage caused by the faulty head gasket. Additionally, chemical sealants for gaskets can be used for immediate sealing; however, this requires proper inspection and maintenance later, as they are a temporary solution.

Beyond repair, several maintenance steps can be taken to keep the Subaru engine head gasket healthy and preserve the engine’s health and drivability. These include timely maintenance, proactive component replacement at appropriate mileage intervals, regular checks of oil and coolant levels and conditions, addressing temperature spike issues, and addressing small leaks.

Howland Autohaus: Premire Subaru Service Center Heath

With 30 years of collective auto service experience, Howland Autohaus is the premier auto repair shop in the locality of Heath, specializing in European auto brands such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Volkswagen, Porsche, Jaguar,  Volvo, and servicing other brands like Rover, Subaru, Honda, Acura, Lexus & Toyota.

We employ expert and experienced technicians who have a deep understanding of Subaru vehicles and provide accurate and precise repairs. We use OEM-made parts and components, as well as brand-approved fluids, for all our repairs and services. Located at 1770 Hebron Rd., Heath, we offer our services to auto owners of Central Ohio, including areas such as Buckeye Lake, Granville, Hebron, Johnstown, Lancaster, New Albany, Newark, Pataskala, Pickerington, and Zanesville in the state of Ohio.