Land Rovers are known for their endurance and durability. When vehicle parts and engine components begin to fail or malfunction, this can cause your Land Rover to become unreliable, inconsistent, and sometimes even unsafe to drive. Since Land Rovers often encounter similar issues, any ongoing care and maintenance should always be performed by a Land Rover specialist to avoid further complications and unnecessary, expensive repairs.
One issue that is common among some Land Rover models is head gasket issues. There are different degrees of severity when it comes to failing head gaskets, and they should all be taken seriously to avoid the worst-case scenario from occurring. One of the earliest symptoms of a failing head gasket is a coolant or oil leak. Any fluid leaks in your Land Rover should be diagnosed quickly, as the longer the problem prevails the more likely you are to encounter more serious and expensive issues. If you suspect that your Land Rover has a leaking head gasket, here’s a little more information to keep you in the loop:
A head gasket is placed between the cylinder head and engine block to keep the process of combustion as a closed circuit. Furthermore, the head gasket is what prevents motor oil and engine coolant from meeting each other—as they both perform separate functions and must remain isolated from one another to operate their best and prevent performance issues. Your head gasket should be inspected regularly to avoid leaks and other issues from occurring.
The most common reason for a head gasket to sustain damage and begin leaking is excessively hot engine temperatures. Head gaskets usually don’t begin leaking on their own, but they have been under some kind of conditional change that causes them to expand and/or contract, leaving them susceptible to leaks. The best way to prevent this from happening is to make sure you keep an eye on your engine’s temperature. If you notice your Land Rover is running hot, you should pull over and check the coolant level immediately. If the problem persists, take it straight to a Land Rover specialist for inspection.
The signs of a head gasket leak can mimic the signs of a blown head gasket, so it’s important to remain vigilant of how your Land Rover is behaving at all times. If the head gasket is leaking, you might notice oil or coolant beneath your vehicle or a combination of both. Furthermore, since the head gasket is so closely related to engine temperature, if you notice the temperature start creeping up, remain aware of your coolant levels—they could begin depleting without any trace of fluid loss.
The signs of a head gasket leak are different than that of a blow head gasket, and it’s critical that you address leaks immediately to prevent a full-on blown head gasket. While you may still be able to drive your Land Rover for a period of time while experiencing a head gasket leak, you will not have that luxury if the head gasket blows. A blown head gasket will render your car undriveable, and it is usually more costly to repair than a simple leak. Head gaskets aren’t typically expensive; however, the labor associated with replacing them can be detailed and intense, so it’s best to try to tackle a leak early-on.
Not all cars are created equally, and Land Rovers are especially unique. These land beasts require a high level of care in order to perform optimally at all times. Here at Pro Car Mechanics, serving Land Rover clients from the areas of Gardena, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Glendale, and Anaheim, CA, has worked hard to build a reputation on honesty and integrity—and don’t forget low prices. Since Land Rovers can be quite costly to repair and maintain, we also make it our mission to offer our clients up to 30% lower prices than nearby dealerships and automotive specialists. If you suspect that your Land Rover has encountered a head gasket leak, or something’s not quite right with your engine performance, please contact us right away to schedule an inspection and diagnostic procedure.
Land Rover Car on Road image credit goes to: kurmyshov.
Copyright 2018 Pro Car Mechanics
Site Design & Marketing by 