Head Gaskets are very important parts of cars also in Hyundai Imax engines. They seal the combustion chamber from the outside air. The engine won’t run properly if they get damaged or worn out. What happens if you replace them with thin ones?
Head Gaskets are located at the top of the cylinder block. The primary purpose of these gaskets is to prevent oil leakage into the combustion chamber.
A thin head gasket causes the piston rings to wear down faster. This leads to higher oil consumption and increased emissions. In addition, the heat generated during combustion increases the temperature inside the engine. As a result, the engine components start wearing off prematurely.
A thick head gasket will last longer than a thin one. It also has better sealing properties.
Thin head gaskets can be found in many different types of engines. Some of them include:
- Petrol engines
- Diesel engines
- Hybrid engines
- Gasoline engines
- Electric motors
- LPG engines
- Natural gas engines
- Hydrogen engines
- Compressed natural gas engines
- Biogas engines
- Propane engines
- Ethanol engines
- Methanol engines
- Biofuel engines
Does using thinner head gaskets cause more problems?
Yes! Using thinner head gaskets not only increases the risk of oil leaks but also reduces the life span of your engine.
How do I know whether my head gasket needs replacing?
If you notice any unusual noises coming from your engine, then it might need replacing. You should take your vehicle to an authorised service centre for inspection.
You can check the condition of your head gasket by looking at the following signs:
- Oil leaking from around the valve cover
- Engine overheating
- Excessive smoke when starting the engine
- Increased oil consumption
- Leaking coolant
- A loud knocking sound while driving
- Poor performance
- Low fuel economy
- An unpleasant smell when running
- Bad odour
- Burning smells
- Smoke when turning over
- Sticking valves
- Rattle noise
- Severe vibration
- Cracking sounds
- Shocks while driving
- Noises when driving
- Hard starting
- Rough idle
- Slow acceleration
- High RPMs
- Cuts out
- Engine stalls
- Clutch slipping
- Engine misfires
- Loss of power
- Poor MPG
- Poor performance
When should I change my head gasket?
The best time to change your head gasket is before it starts showing symptoms. Changing your head gasket too late could lead to severe damage to other engine components.
What happens if you don’t replace your head gaskets?
Your engine may develop serious issues such as:
- Oil leaks
- Overheating
- Reduced power
- Higher oil consumption
- Increased emissions
- Engine failure
- Damage to other engine components
- Engine stalling
- Engine misfiring
- Engine cuts out
- Engine stall
- Engine backfire
- Engine misfires
- Engine knocks
- Engine stalls
How long does it take to replace a head gasket?
It depends on how much work you have done on your engine. If you’ve changed all the spark plugs, cleaned the crankcase, replaced the oil pan, and checked the compression levels, then it’s likely that changing the head gasket would take about two hours.
However, if you haven’t done these things yet, then it could take up to four hours.
Why are some head gaskets thicker than others?
Some manufacturers make their own head gaskets. They usually choose the thickness based on the type of engine they’re making. For example, the head gasket used in a diesel engine is usually thicker than the one used in a petrol engine.
Some head gaskets come with different thicknesses depending on the model. These include:
- The head gasket used in the Hyundai iLoad Imax
- The head gaskets used in the Hyundai Iload Engine
- The head gaskets used in the Hyundai iMax Engines
- The head gases let used in the Hyundai Ixora
- The head gases let used in the Hyundais Elgrand
What happens if you don’t replace your head gaskets when changing out spark plugs?
If you do not change the head gasket when replacing spark plug wires, you will have to remove the cylinder heads in order to get at the old head gasket. This can be very difficult because the head gasket is located under the valve covers.
To avoid this situation, always change the head gasket after removing the spark plugs. Otherwise, you risk damaging the head gasket or cracking the head itself.
Should I replace my head gaskets before changing out my cylinder heads?
Replacing your head gaskets before replacing your cylinder heads will save you time and money. However, there are times when changing the head gasket first makes sense. Your mechanic can help you decide which approach is best for you.
Changing out your cylinder heads first means you’ll need to remove the valve cover and disassemble the intake manifold. It will also mean more parts to clean – especially if you’re doing it yourself. You’ll also have to deal with the potential problem of broken seals or cracked head gaskets during the removal of the cylinder head bolts.
On the other hand, changing out your head gaskets first means you won’t have to worry about cleaning off any crud or residue left from working on your engine. In addition, you’ll only have to deal with one set of valves instead of two.
What’s the difference between a head gasket and an oil pan gasket?
Head Gaskets are designed for use under extreme heat conditions in engines that require high compression ratios (more than 10) due to their ability to withstand higher temperatures. They are used on machines that use combustion chambers that are smaller than those found on most car engines.
Gaskets fit into the space between the top of the cylinder walls and the bottom of the block casting. Oil pans gaskets are fitted between the base of the piston ring grooves and the underside of the block casting, where the sump hole is drilled. Their function is primarily to prevent leakage from the combustion chamber. Some oil pans gaskets are made specifically to allow better cooling of the cast iron.
How long should I wait before I replace my head gasket?
You may want to wait until your engine has been running for at least 100 miles or so. This gives your engine enough time to run without overheating and melting the head gasket. If you notice excessive wear on your engine, then it may be time to replace your head gasket.
Replacing head gaskets early could cost you big bucks. Head gaskets are relatively inexpensive, but they are critical components that must last many miles. Replacing them prematurely could cause major problems later such as cracks or leaks in the head.
How do I know if I need new head gaskets?
One way to tell if you need a new head gasket is by looking at the condition of your engine. Check the appearance of the metal around the bolt holes on both sides of the head.
Look for dents, scoring, rust, peeling paint or paint loss. Also look for any signs of cracking, warping or tearing. These symptoms indicate that the head gasket is wearing out.
If you see even minimal damage like a small dent or scratch, you might want to consider having your heads replaced at the same time. A worn-out head gasket is much easier to fix than a crack in the head itself. The repair would probably involve filling the crack with silicone, applying a sealant and re-installing your head.
The above information is intended to provide general guidelines only. Always consult your vehicle’s service manual for specific requirements.
Is there anything else I can do to keep my engine cool while driving?
Keeping your engine cool while driving is usually not necessary. However, when road surfaces become extremely hot, some drivers turn off the air conditioning system to keep the engine cooler. This isn’t recommended unless you have a very good reason to do this.
Remember that turning off your air conditioning system takes power from the engine, which reduces efficiency. Most modern cars automatically shut off the air conditioning system when the temperature outside gets too cold.
Do I need a different type of head gasket for a diesel engine?
Most head gaskets are designed for gasoline engines because they are more common. If you have an older model diesel, however, you may find that the gasket material does not adequately handle the heat generated during diesel combustion. You will also find that the bolts are usually longer and harder to tighten. To get a good seal, you will need to add a thicker gasket, change the size of the bolt hole or drill larger holes through the gasket.
If your old head gasket was made from asbestos, aluminium or other materials that contain beryllium, you should remove and dispose of these parts properly. Please refer to your owner’s manual for proper disposal instructions.