How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Blown Head Gasket?

The head gasket is a thin piece of metal, but it plays a critical role in keeping your vehicle running. It seals off two parts of the engine: the engine block and the cylinder head. Having a tight seal is critical to keep oil, coolant and gases sealed in the engine, and to prevent them from mixing with each other. It also maintains compressions that keep the engine running smoothly.

If the head gasket starts to fail or "blows" (fails entirely), your car may not start at all. Continue reading to learn how to recognize a failing head gasket and what it may cost you to repair or replace it.

It's hard to miss the symptoms of a failing head gasket. As the seal between the engine block and the cylinder head begins to fail, the performance of your car will likely decrease since the engine isn't working at its optimum potential. You may notice these symptoms:

• White smoke from the exhaust. This happens when coolant leaks into the engine and turns into steam.
• Oil in your coolant. You can check this by opening the radiator cap and looking for a milky-white appearance or a slimy, oily feel.
• Going through lots of coolant. A failing head gasket allows coolant to leak, meaning you'll need to top it off more often.
• Lack of power. If your head gasket is failing, the engine won't be properly compressed, and your spark plugs might misfire. This causes the engine to feel less powerful and responsive.
• Overheating. With coolant leaking into the engine rather than controlling engine temperature, your vehicle is more likely to overheat.
• Illuminated check engine light. While this light can indicate many different problems, it will come on when your head gasket is failing.

Head gaskets are under lots of pressure and exposed to immense heat from the engine. Over time, this harsh environment can cause the head gasket to warp or develop a weak area that makes it impossible to provide the tight seal needed for the engine to run properly.

With that said, head gaskets are meant to last for a long time—typically, they'll be good for 100,000 miles or more.

On average, the cost to replace or repair a head gasket can range between about $2,000 and $6,000. If your head gasket is leaking, there's typically no way to repair it, since the piece of metal needs to be able to withstand very high temperatures and pressures. Instead, you'll need a new head gasket. Here's a breakdown of average head gasket replacement costs at the lower end of the cost range:

There are many factors that impact how much you'll pay for a new head gasket, including:

• Your vehicle. Some vehicles, especially with large or performance-oriented engines, will be more expensive to repair.
• The parts you use. Getting parts directly from your vehicle's manufacturer typically costs more than getting a new head gasket made by an aftermarket provider.
• Labor costs. Paying for labor is the most expensive part of replacing a head gasket, and where you live impacts labor costs. Mechanic costs can vary widely even within the same city, so shop around and get at least three quotes.
• Damage to the engine. It's sometimes cheaper to replace a head gasket that's starting to fail than it is to replace one that has failed completely, so be sure to see a mechanic as soon as you start noticing signs of a failing head gasket.

In most cases, you won't want to replace your head gasket yourself. This fix involves working within the engine in areas that need to stand up to lots of heat and pressure. Even if you're knowledgeable about engines, replacing a head gasket is difficult and will take about five hours. Because of that, this is a repair best left to the professionals.

Replacing the head gasket is an expensive fix. It becomes even more pricey if there's additional damage to your engine from the head gasket blowing. Here are some options to consider when deciding whether replacing your head gasket is worth it.

Still having trouble deciding whether fixing your head gasket is a good investment? Here's a rule of thumb: Only replace the head gasket if the vehicle is worth at least double the cost of the repair. If it's not, you're likely better off getting a new (to you) car.

Once you've replaced your head gasket, you'll want to treat it well in order to avoid future head gasket problems. You can't always prevent a blown head gasket—for example, some makes of cars are just more prone to this problem—but following these steps can help keep your head gasket operational:

• Keep your engine cool. Too much heat can weaken your head gasket, so regularly check your coolant levels and keep your car from overheating.
• Get regular oil changes. Oil changes are essential for keeping all parts of your engine healthy, including the head gasket.
• Take it easy on the engine. Avoid aggressive driving, heavy towing or lots of idling, since these habits can strain your engine and make the head gasket wear down.
• See the mechanic regularly. Keep up with scheduled maintenance and address any unexpected repairs quickly to avoid further engine trouble, including a blown head gasket.

If you blow your head gasket, the repairs can cost thousands. You'll need to tackle that unexpected cost quickly to get back on the road. Luckily, the Synchrony Car Care credit card can help you manage unexpected car repairs, like head gasket replacement, plus the regular maintenance that can keep your engine running for a long time. Learn more about the Synchrony Car Care credit card and apply today.