Signs That You Need Cylinder Head Repairs
Underneath the hood of your car, there is a metal piece called a cylinder head. This is one of many moving parts that help to keep your engine running smoothly. Inside the cylinder head are even more components, including spark plugs and exhaust valves. If your cylinder head is showing signs of needing repairs, it is important to get those repairs done as soon as possible. This will ensure your vehicle keeps running smoothly. Here are some of the more common signs that you need cylinder head repairs.
There Are Signs of a Leak
Any time you have a leak of fluid coming out of your car, it is most often not a good sign. It could be something minor, something major, or anything in between. When related to the cylinder head or head gasket, it is often a leak of coolant fluid. Coolant is needed in order to get the moving parts of a cylinder head to work properly, so when there is an issue, coolant is often to blame. Look for a bright green fluid leaking from underneath the car when you park it. There might be a crack in the head cylinder or the head gasket causing the leak.
Smoke is Coming Out of the Exhaust
Another thing to look for is smoke coming out of anywhere in the car, but specifically out of the exhaust. It is not uncommon to not notice this right away, as you would either need to see the back of your car or notice it in one of your side mirrors. If your car has been acting funny and you suspect a problem with the head cylinder, take a peek out the side mirror closest to the exhaust pipe. When you put your foot on the gas, look to see if there is a cloud of gray smoke. Another time you might notice the cloud of smoke is shortly after starting the vehicle or when you have been sitting idle for a while, then hit the gas pedal, such as when the light turns green.
There is a Bad Odour
If you are driving down the road and you smell something foul, it might be that coolant is leaking and hitting one of the cylinders. In addition to having a coolant leak, the burning smell of something on the sweeter side is usually an indication that your head cylinder is having issues. This is a good reason to visit a mechanic.