Buyer Beware: Head gasket munchers

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If you’re about to ‘blow a gasket’, you’re probably very upset about something, and on the verge of an explosion. When you’re about to blow a gasket, bad things are going to happen. 

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Based on information that would be convenient if it were true, the term likely originated the first time someone ever blew a head gasket in their car or truck, because blowing a head gasket is a serious pain. I’ve been reporting on blown head gaskets for years, and specifically, the owner mistakes that often lead to their demise, and the aftermath of said demise.

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A head gasket is a thin piece of material with a bunch of holes punched through it. Those holes line up with passageways in your engine that are used to move coolant and oil throughout the engine. It also has holes that line up to each of the engine’s cylinders.  Like a slice of Swiss cheese, the head gasket is sandwiched between the engine’s block and cylinder head. The two are bolted together with the gasket in between to prevent leaks. In this way, the head gasket in your engine is a bit like the atriums and valves and ventricles inside of the human heart. If there’s a leak or failure, you’ve got a serious problem that needs to be dealt with immediately. 

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Here’s some more reading about one blown engine that munched its head gasket after an owner ignored some serious trouble signs. And here’s another story about how head gasket failure fits into the world of automotive tropes, with Subaru as the star of the show.  My own 2011 Forester suffered head gasket failure, evidenced by a slow oil leak onto my driveway and verified by a technician who suggested I sell it to him ‘as is’, which is what I did. 

Consumer Reports says that shoppers might save 35 per cent on a head gasket replacement by having work performed at an independent shop instead of a dealer, but their best advice is to avoid cars with a high risk of head gasket failure altogether.  To help shoppers do just that, Consumer Reports has compiled a list of vehicles from the past decade that stand out as having the most severe head gasket problems, determined by frequency and cost. For a full look at the report, and to learn more about head gasket related problems, click here.  

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On the list are models like the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2011 Subaru Impreza.  Some Cruze owners from this generation have also reported engine problems relating to the valve cover and Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system, as well as cooling system trouble. Many have not.  Some Impreza owners from this generation have had engines rebuilt or replaced to correct other manufacturing issues, too.  Consumer Reports lists the Mazda 3, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla as alternatives to these vehicles, but without head gasket problems. 

The 2015 Buick Encore and 2011 Buick Lucerne make the list as well, with Buick Encore head gasket problems appearing around 120,000 kilometres or 75,000 miles, according to Consumer Reports. This is the same engine family as the Chevrolet Cruze we mentioned earlier. Consumer Reports data shows Lucerne owners experiencing head gasket problems on higher-mileage units, as well as issues with engine mounts and power steering lines. The Lexus NX and Toyota Avalon listed as alternatives, respectively.

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Elsewhere, the list is rounded out by models from BMW, including the 2012 5 Series, 2012 X3, 2011 3 Series, and 2014 X1, which share a common available engine. 

Remember that an overheating engine can be a sign of (and cause of) head gasket trouble. Prolonged or repeated use of an overheating engine is strongly associated with head gasket damage and engine failure, which could lead to extensive engine damage. Also be aware that a leaky head gasket can contaminate your engine oil with coolant, compromising its effectiveness and accelerating wear or damage to the heart of your engine. If your engine overheats, have the vehicle seen by a technician as soon as possible.