Head Gasket Leak

[estrellajon]

As everyone who owns a I6 C280 knows that the head gasket leaking is always an issue. Well Im at that point on deciding whether to get it fixed or just drive it. It's a small leak that leaks on the exhaust or tranny but burns off by the time I park on my driveway. No puddles. I was wondering if its bad to drive with a leaky head gasket. Besides the slight oil burning smell sometimes, are there any related engine issues I should be carefull off or should I not worry about a head gasket leak?

[djdoughboy]

replaceing the head gasket is difficult... but not impossible... i replaced the whole HEAD on my buddy's c280... but it wasnt fun... if you were in the nor. cal area id help ya... but youre not... as to the problem... it could be ok as long as you keep the oil level up... but... what you dont SEE is the oil that is actually leaking into the cylinder on the other side of the gasket... you only see the oil leaking OUT of it... if it is a small leak i guess you will be ok for a while... but keep in mind the oil that is leaking into the cylider is obviously igniting and burning off in the chamber which will eventually build up a crust of residue on the vavles which in turn could cause more serious problems down the line... my advice would be to fix it... however if you do not know how to take the head off yourself to replace the gasket this process will be very pricey...


i hope my advice helps in your decision...



Sean

[jnenad16]

as long as there is no blue smoke coming out of your tailpipe, just use a thickening oil treatment, this will slow down the leak a bit, but keep in mind its not a fix to your problem. you will eventually have to get it replaced,and as sean said, the buildup in the cylinder head might become troublesome down the road. however, a good fuel system cleaner can clean that up. if you could find the foaming intake and combustion chamber cleaner, that would be the best to use for residue cleanup. I've used one in the past, and it performed a miracle.

nenad

[djdoughboy]

:werd:

[KenzBenz]

hey sean, you know how to replace the whole thing??

[pnsji]

Part of the replacing the head gasket is to resurface the head. You need serious machine to do this right.

[djdoughboy]

yes i can replace the whole thing ken...


...depending on the reason WHY the head needs to be replaced BLOCK may need to be machined... this is not that expensive and any machine shop can do it... if you are replacing the head with a NEW one it will not need to be machined... however... if you are replacing it with a USED head it would be wise to have it machined as well... it is not that expensive...


Sean