Cylinder heads: when they fail, they fail in style. It really does pay to keep your engine’s cylinder head in good condition. Trust us, repair definitely is cheaper than replacement in this case. Cylinder heads, like all engine parts, will wear over time, and that’s where pressure testing comes in. In this article, you’ll find out what causes cylinder head damage, when to take your vehicle in for a check-up, and where you can do so in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
Causes of cylinder head damage
Using compressed air and water, engine repairers search for microscopic cracks on the head. These cracks are a common cause of cylinder head failure, and really should be checked out as soon as their impacts are noticed. A cylinder head gasket creates a seal between the cylinder head and block of an engine. It is an integral component, and performs many important functions during engine operation.
Cylinder heads can fail for a few reasons, the most common of which being extreme engine temperatures. This happens if there’s a coolant system leak, or if there isn’t enough coolant in the radiator. Another common issue is the non-use of antifreeze.
When to visit an engine refurbisher
There are a number of easy-to-spot signs that your engine and its cylinder heads need looking at. Visit your nearest engine repairer if you experience any of the following cylinder head damage symptoms:
- A weak engine is usually the first sign of cylinder problems, and presents itself when a vehicle is struggling to scale an otherwise easy-to-climb hill, or if you notice a sudden onset of sluggish acceleration.
- Oil lubricates an engine, and that includes the cylinder heads. Oil leaks could be from the sump, but could also be from a blown cylinder head gasket.
- If your engine coolant is going down faster than usual, there could be a leak. This vital fluid keeps the engine and cylinder heads cool, and if absent is a one-way road to a blown gasket.
- A misfiring engine is arguably the most obvious sign of cylinder head damage. The loss of pressure within the block leads to missed combustions and can cause an engine to cut out while idling – or not starting at all.
- Strange white smoke coming out of your vehicle’s exhaust pipe? That’s another clear indication that the engine needs looking at. This happens when exhaust fumes, tainted with coolant, are vented into the engine space, and is usually the last symptom before total cylinder head failure.
Get cylinder head repairs in Durban
The Eagleharm Engineering workshop is located on Hillclimb Road, Pinetown, where we have on our floor one of only a few machines capable of repairing the world’s largest engines. We’ve been pressure testing cylinder heads for over 50 years, and we’re highly skilled at ensuring that our clients’ engines remain in peak condition, and that we get the best performance out of them possible. Get in touch with Todd or Ryan Harmsworth to arrange expert engine maintenance and cylinder head repairs in Durban.