When it comes to taking care of a vehicle, routine maintenance can make a huge difference. Many of the most common problems vehicle owners have could be avoided if they just did the recommended service routine.
Most Common Auto Maintenance And Repair Items
- Engine oil change
- Oil filter change
- Replacement of windshield wipers
- Air filter changed
- Manufacturer recommended scheduled maintenance
- Tire replacement
- Replacement of batteries
- Fixing brake problems
- Adding antifreeze
- Other fluid replacement
- Rough running engine
- Wheel alignment and balance
If owners took care of every one of these maintenance items, it might cost them $1,000 over the years. Failing to take care of business when it comes to vehicle maintenance can lead to costly repairs.
It’s more common than you might think. AAA reports that more than a third of American delay or skip regular maintenance on their vehicles.
At the top of the list is oil change. Oil keeps engines running smoothly and helps reduce friction and heat. Combined with the water pump, radiator, and coolant, your engine runs efficiently and dissipates heat. When one of these items isn’t working, heat builds up and bad things happen.
Head Gasket Leaks
A leaking head casket can cause loss of coolant. This can allow coolant to get into your combustion chamber. In addition to heat issues, burning coolant can cause spark plug problems, and lead to rust and corrosion on cylinder walls and piston rings. All of these things can lead to big repairs, including the need to replace the engine itself.
Symptoms of Head Gasket Leaks
- External coolant leak
- Engine overheating
- White smoke coming from the exhaust
- Coolant levels dropping with no noticeable links
- Coolant on spark plugs
- Low compression / rough idling
- Engine misfire
A Quick Fix
One quick fix that vehicle owners can apply to help mitigate problems is using a head gasket sealer, such as Blue Devil Head Gasket sealer. It can repair and seal head gasket leaks and can also be used on leaky radiators, leaking freeze plugs, and even blown head gaskets.
Repairing or replacing a engine is expensive. A blown head gasket can set you back $2,000 while replacing with a remanufactured engine might cost you double that amount. If a vehicle is showing symptoms of a head gasket leak, owners need to get it taken care of before it becomes a full-blown problem.