Info about Gaskets
Felpro Head Gaskets
A felpro head gasket is found between the head of the cylinder and the engine block in an engine that operates using internal combustion. The head gasket creates a seal that maximizes compression and prevents the oil or anti-freeze from leaking into the cylinders.
These head gaskets are usually made of three steel layers. A rubber coating like Viton is used to coat the faces of the gasket to stick it to the cylinder head and the cylinder block.
There are other types of gaskets such as solid copper gaskets. These gaskets are made from a solid sheet of copper which makes a very durable gasket. Composite head gaskets are made of graphite or asbestos. This type of gasket material is not as durable as the steel or copper gaskets and often blow out and need to be replace. Asbestos gaskets are pretty uncommon because of the health concerns involved with any type of asbestos.
Sometimes a head gasket will have to be replaced because the compression in the cylinder has created a leak. The felpro gasket set or head gasket is the most recommended type to use. If the heads of your engine are aluminum rather that steel, you are more likely to have problems with your head gasket. The reason for this is that aluminum expands much more under high temperatures and puts more stress on your gaskets. This problem has been reduced by engine makers who discovered that adding Teflon the head gasket’s surface will make it much more durable.
If you gasket is damaged, you will suffer loss of compression in the engine because the exhaust gases will leak into the cooling system and cause your engine to overheat. Sometimes when your car has a problem with the head gaskets the engine oil will turn white because it is mixed with the cooling system fluids. When the anti-freeze mixes with the oil it can cause serious damage to your cylinders. When the coolant gets into the cylinders it can cause steam that may damage your exhaust.
A blown head gasket will cause leaks between your cylinders resulting in lower engine compression. You can use a pressure gauge to check and see if this could be your problem or you can do a test called a leak down test to see if you are having compression loss in your engine. If you drive with a damaged head gasket, you can cause major damage to your engine because it will lose oil and it will overheat. If you are burning oil the exhaust smoke will usually be blue. Steam from the anti-freeze will be white.
There are many other gaskets in a car’s engine, but most of them will only cause minor problems like oil leaks if they are damaged. Your head gaskets are the main ones you have to worry about because a head gasket can blow with no prior warning. If you should feel your engine power weaken and possibly see steam or smoke coming out of your tail pipe, you should immediately to stop to prevent further damage.