head gasket

[exchangesmmm]

should I replace a head gasket on a high mileage car?

[v64paul]

if it aint broke then dont fix it. there is no way of predicting the failure of a head gasket, only when it's gone do you find the tell tale signs.these include loss of coolant, increased temperature and very likely a loss of power. in the case of most modern engines a strip down of this nature is likely to cost almost as much as the car is worth.

[honkytonkman]

I agree with v64paul and allen. If it's working ok and not using an undo amount of coolant, I'd leave well alone. One thought to leave you with is that the build of crud over the years may well be helping to keep it all watertight. I had a garage change a head gasket once and then had many trips back to them to cure oil leaks where old, cruddy components (nuts, bolts etc) had protested.

[mathew007]

Only replace the head gasket if it needs replacing. U can tell this by if your car drinks a lot of wayer. Also if u look at the oil in the engine has it gone white around the cap. Also have a look in the water hader tank. Is it got oil in. If any of these are correct yes do replace it. Depending on what yr cars worth and whether u can do it yourself as a garage would charge like �500.

[billster43]

if you are losing a little coolant pop some k seal in it if the headgasket has a slight leak that will cure it