Head gaskets in a Land Rover endure a lot of wear and tear. In addition to expanding and contracting over time, head gaskets in Land Rovers can also be worn out quicker if they are exposed to extremely hot temperatures over time.
Low oil levels, thermostat failure, and old antifreeze may all contribute to head gasket failure, along with many other circumstances that can often be prevented. Some of these contributing factors can be easily resolved by the Land Rover owner, while many require additional care and repair from a professional, certified technician with experience in this area.
Reasons Behind a Leaking Head Gasket in a Land Rover
Oftentimes, you’ll have to have a professional run a diagnostic test to determine the reason behind a leaking head gasket in your Land Rover.
- Lack of Water: The head gasket is responsible for controlling the flow of water and oil to and from appropriate parts, so a lack of water can indicate your head gasket has a substantial leak somewhere.
- Old or Watery Antifreeze: When a head gasket is malfunctioning, it can cause your water and antifreeze to mix unnecessarily. This can cause old or watery antifreeze to infiltrate important vehicle components.
- Contaminated or Old Oil: Old oil or oil that is contaminated can be a sign of an impending leaking head gasket.
- Low Oil Levels: If your head gasket is not maintaining oil levels as it should, this could be from a faulty seal or malfunctioning gasket.
- Failing Thermostat: With a leaking head gasket, you’ll be unable to get a good reading from your thermostat, due to fluctuating temperatures and fluid levels.
- Engine Running Too Hot: This is one of the first signs of a leaking head gasket because it keeps the water from properly flowing through the engine.
Signs of a Leaking Head Gasket
As a Land Rover owner, you may notice something is amiss with your vehicle but may not be able to pinpoint the exact issue. Here are a few signs you may notice if your head gasket is leaking:
- Tailpipe Dripping Water: This is not to be confused with a small amount of condensation, which can be a standard occurrence in the humid months. When a head gasket leak occurs, you’ll notice actual water coming out of your tailpipe.
- White or Colored Smoke Coming Out of the Tailpipe: In an older vehicle, this can be hard to identify as anything out of the ordinary. However, colored smoke that is blue or gray is easier to notice and can be a sign of a developing problem with your head gasket.
- Loss of Power: A leaking head gasket in your Land Rover will cause the engine to overheat and eventually shut down, which can result in a loss of power. The compression of one or more cylinders will be reduced, as well, which can cause a notable reduction in engine power.
- Oil Contamination: Whether your oil looks bad or it appears it has mixed with another substance, oil contamination can appear as a milky sludge on the side of the oil filler cap or the dipstick, or even on the ground. This is usually caused by coolant getting into the oil or vice versa.
When looking at these symptoms of a leaking head gasket, you can easily tell that these concerns could be caused by a variety of issues with your Land Rover. That’s why you should call upon the professionals to determine if and when your Land Rover’s head gasket leak should be evaluated as the cause of your problems.
EuroService Automotive for Your Land Rover’s Head Gasket Needs
As the area’s go-to shop for Land Rover repair and maintenance, Euroservice Automotive is a top-rated European auto repair shop in Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket, Manassas, and Warrenton areas of Virginia. European vehicles require a higher level of care and expertise, so our professionals at Euroservice Automotive Center are here to give you exactly what you need for your Land Rover to function at its best.
Our company was established by Bill Moss, who has been in the business of fixing cars before he could even drive. Now, our business has grown to include an ASE Certified Master Technician, an ASE Certified Advanced Level Diagnostician, and an ASE Certified Parts Specialist, among many others. Our professionals are here to take care of your Land Rover, so give us a call at (540) 347-9800 with your vehicle’s needs.