Exhaust Gasket
Has Your Head Gasket Really Gone Bad?
The last words any car owner wants to hear at a Repair Shop is they need a head gasket. It is not a cheap repair and often is a predictor of future problems down the road. The question in many cases, however, is whether the head gasket is actually the problem.
The head gasket performs a critical task in the modern internal combustion engine. It is the seal between the engine block and the engine head. More specifically, the head gasket is what creates the seal that closes off the cylinder combustion chambers. It keeps coolant and water out and oil in. It also creates a tight enough seal that the combustion chamber can be pressurized to the maximum efficiency to produce power when the gas and air mixture is fired by the spark plug. Basically, the head gasket is the most critical gasket in your car.
The head gasket is a funny thing when it comes to engines. It has to be put on just right. This would seem to suggest that it needs to be cranked down as hard as possible to perfect a seal. That really isn’t the case. Instead, every car comes with recommended specifications and a torque wrench needs to be used. Get it too loose and unintended substances can get into the cylinders. Get it to tight and you destroy the gasket or warp/fracture the engine head.
So, do you really have a head gasket problem? Well, you need to be vigilant. It is easy to tell if you have a problem in the head gasket AREA just by running the engine, but nobody can really tell if the head gasket needs replacing until the engine head is removed. The first step should be to check the bolts again and make sure they are torqued as specified. You would be surprised how many times this cures the problem.
Assuming retightening the head doesn’t do the trick, it is time to take a look at your exhaust. Most people assume black exhaust is a bad sign. It isn’t. It just means your engine is running rich. White or gray exhaust is really what you want to watch for. It usually means there is a more serious problem in the head gasket area. The problem can be a bad head gasket, but it is just as likely to mean a bad head. Modern engines used lighter materials for the engine head and many of them can suffer small cracks as the wear and tear of the engine builds up.
The bad new is there is really no way to know the specific problem until the head is yanked off the engine. At that point, you are already on your way to an expensive repair. Fixing the head gasket and head does not involve expensive parts, but it takes a lot of time. Mechanics charge by the hour, so you can expect the bill to be pretty high.
Problems around the head of the engine in your car do not necessarily mean that the top part of the engine is a mess. First check to make sure the bolts on the head are tightened to the specified figures. If that doesn’t work, take a look at your bank balance, take a deep breath and prepare yourself for expensive, bad news.
About the Author
Dirk Gibson is with DCJAutoParts.com - find high performance aftermarket car parts that will make your engine per like kitten and perform like a Puma.
Exhaust mainifold gasket leak.. Cause lean condition?
I finally took my car to the shop to repair a lean condition causing very rough idle and poor acceleration. They said after the car passed diagnosis except for the lean conditions, and told me they found an bad manifold gaskets. Can bad manifold gaskets cause this problem. It is going to cost me about $500. (they say it is hard to get to so the labor charge is high)
YES
The oxygen sensor is in the exhaust stream somewhere downstream of the leak. Contrary to popular belief, the exhaust has pulses in it from the valves opening, and will actually draw in outside air. Then , you get false lean codes due to that outside air mixing with the exhaust gas from the cylinders.
Exhaust Gasket Tips
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 3 BOLT 2.5" ID CATBACK EXHAUST DOWNPIPE TESTPIPE GASKET  US $11.95
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 2 BOLT 2.5" to 2.75"/3" EXHAUST DOWNPIPE ADAPTER GASKET US $18.95
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 2.5" Exhaust 3 Hole Collector Aluminum Gasket 2 1/2" US $3.50
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 2.5" Exhaust 3 Hole Collector Aluminum Gasket 2 1/2" US $3.50
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 2.5" Exhaust 3 Hole Collector Aluminum Gasket 2 1/2" US $3.50
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 2.5" Exhaust 3 Hole Collector Aluminum Gasket 2 1/2" US $3.50
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 3 BOLT 2.5" ID CATBACK EXHAUST DOWNPIPE TESTPIPE GASKET US $1.95
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 2 BOLT 2.5" to 2.75"/3" EXHAUST DOWNPIPE FLANGE GASKET US $9.95
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 2 BOLT 2.5" to 2.75"/3" EXHAUST TESTPIPE ADAPTER GASKET US $9.95
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 2 BOLT 2.5" to 2.75"/3" EXHAUST DOWNPIPE ADAPTER GASKET US $8.95
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 3 BOLT 2.5" EXHAUST ADAPTER COLLECTOR FLANGE GASKET X 2 US $15.95
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 3" 2 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $5.79
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 3" 2 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $5.79
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 3" 2 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $5.79
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 2.5" Exhaust 3 Hole Collector Aluminum Gasket 2 1/2" US $3.50
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 3 BOLT 3.5" EXHAUST ADAPTER COLLECTOR FLANGE GASKET X 2 US $19.95
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 1 yamaha exhaust gasket 01-09 WR250F, YZ250F US $.99
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 Nitro RS4-3 HPI Side Exhaust Gasket A875 MT2 Firestorm US $1.99
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 Nitro RS4-3 HPI Side Exhaust Gasket A875 MT2 Firestorm US $1.99
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 2.5" Exhaust 3 Hole Collector Aluminum Gasket 2 1/2" US $3.50
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 2.5" 3 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $5.79
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 2.5" 3 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $5.79
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 2.5" 3 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $5.79
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 2.5" Exhaust 3 Hole Collector Aluminum Gasket 2 1/2" US $3.50
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 2.5" Exhaust 3 Hole Collector Aluminum Gasket 2 1/2" US $3.50
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 2.5" 3 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $8.99
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 2 BOLT 2.5" to 2.75"/3" EXHAUST DOWNPIPE FLANGE GASKET US $19.95
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 2 BOLT 2.5" to 2.75"/3" EXHAUST TESTPIPE ADAPTER GASKET US $19.95
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 2.5" Exhaust 3 Hole Collector Aluminum Gasket 2 1/2" US $3.50
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 (2) 3.5" Exhaust Mild Steel 3 Hole Flanges+ Gasket US $23.00
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 (2) 3.5" Exhaust Mild Steel 3 Hole Flanges+ Gasket US $23.00
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 (2) 3.5" Exhaust Mild Steel 3 Hole Flanges+ Gasket US $23.00
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 (2) 3.5 Exhaust Stainless Steel 3 Hole Flanges+ Gasket US $24.00
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 (2) 3.5 Exhaust Stainless Steel 3 Hole Flanges+ Gasket US $24.00
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 2 pair INTAKE AND EXHAUST GASKETS 53-56 DODGE V/8 US $9.99
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 New Fit Harley 84-03 Exhaust Port Gasket LOT BUY 14 US $10.25
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 SB FORD COPPER EXHAUST HEADER GASKET 5.0L 302 US $19.50
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 2 M809 5 TON VERTICAL EXHAUST GASKET 11664454 NOS US $9.99
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 SUPER TIGRE EXHAUST GASKETS.40-.51 X 5 NIP US $5.99
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 (2) 3.5" Exhaust Mild Steel 3 Hole Flanges+ Gasket US $23.00
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 (2) 3.5" Exhaust Mild Steel 3 Hole Flanges+ Gasket US $23.00
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 (2) 3.5 Exhaust Stainless Steel 3 Hole Flanges+ Gasket US $24.00
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 (2) 3.5 Exhaust Stainless Steel 3 Hole Flanges+ Gasket US $24.00
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 3 BOLT 2.5" EXHAUST GASKET TURBO SILVIA DUMP PIPE SR20 US $4.57
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 Jeep Willys M38A1 CJ5 CJ3B NOS Exhaust Gasket Set US $12.24
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 Bosal EXHAUST GASKET subaru LEGACY 90-94 93 92 91 1990 US $9.90
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 10 Yanmar 2-7/8"x1-5/8" Exhaust Gasket 114250-13201 NEW US $2.99
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 YAMAHA R3 YR1 YR2 1967-1969 Exhaust Gaskets Set/2 US $33.51
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 (2) 2.5" Exhaust Mild Steel 3 Hole Flange+ Gasket US $22.00
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 Exhaust Gasket Kit 1966-84 Shovelhead US $.99
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 Military vehicle M37 exhaust pipe gasket set nos US $2.50
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 YAMAHA XS750 XS850 EXHAUST GASKETS US $8.00
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 CX500, CB350, CB360, SL350, CJ360 EXHAUST GASKETS US $4.50
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 3" Header Collector Gaskets and Exhaust Cut-Out Plates US $.99
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 BBC CHEVY COPPER EXHAUST HEADER GASKET CYLINDER HEADS US $19.50
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 SBC CHEVY COPPER EXHAUST HEADER GASKET CYLINDER HEADS US $19.50
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 2.5" 2 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $5.79
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 2.5" 2 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $5.79
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 2.5" 2 Bolt Exhaust Gasket Cat-Back Downpipe Pipe US $5.79
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 Porsche-NEW 911 - 2.7 Head Gasket and Exhaust Gaskets US $35.00
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Exhaust Gasket TECUMSEH/35865 $0.99 Exhaust Gasket TECUMSEH/35865... |
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Briggs Stratton Small Engine Parts # 692236 GASKET-EXHAUST $2.99 Briggs Stratton Small Engine Parts # 692236 GASKET-EXHAUST... |
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MTD LAWN MOWER PART # 721-0348 GASKET-EXHAUST TEC $1.99 MTD Genuine part 721-0348 GASKET-EXHAUST TEC... |
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Car Care Seminar - Exhaust System and Gasket Repairs $250.00 The exhaust system on your vehicle withstands a lot of abuse during normal vehicle operations, as well as the gaskets that seal your engine. Scott B. Cusey, Technical Services Director for Champion Auto Stores, and an expert in do-it-yourself automotive installations, takes you through identifying exhaust and gasket failures, and how to repair or replace the parts as necessary.... |
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SIER GASKET EXHAUST ELBOW $22.94 ... |
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Welch Allyn Model 620148 - Gasket Co2 Exhaust $12.02 Welch Allyn Model 620148 - Gasket Co2 Exhaust... |
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Walker Exhaust 31332 Hardware-Gasket $2.83 Walker Exhaust gaskets provide the highest quality, 100% aluminized steel for longer life and impervious seal. Limited lifetime warranty.... |
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Dorman OE Solutions Exhaust Manifold 674-196 $109.74 Manufacturer: Jeep Hardware: 2 Bolts, 2 Nuts, 4 Washers Gaskets: 1 Flange & 1 Manifold OE#: Jeep # 4883385 Heading: Chrysler Brand: Dorman OE SolutionsFor complete detailed specs, please see the Dorman Products catalog here.... |
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Walker Exhaust 31374 Hardware-Gasket $4.36 GASKET -- Stock Replacement, Original Equipment Quality, Sold Individually... |
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2 Bolt Exhaust Flange Gasket These 2 bolt exhaust flange gaskets are constructed of composite graphite. Designed to mate same size exhaust flanges, this gasket ensures a tight accurate seal between exhaust components each and every time These gaskets are suitable for high temperature service and are available in sizes ranging from 2" thru 4".... |