Cylinder Head & Head Gasket Repair
A blown head gasket or a cracked cylinder head shows up as coolant in the oil, white smoke, or a compression loss you can measure across specific cylinders. We confirm which one it is before pulling the head, since the fix and the scope are very different.
Symptoms we see
| Symptom | Likely cause | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Coolant in the oil, milky appearance on the dipstick | Head gasket failure or a cracked head letting coolant into the oil galleys | Pressure test and compression-check to confirm before pulling the head |
| White smoke and coolant loss without an external leak | Head gasket or cracked head letting coolant into the combustion chamber | Compression test each cylinder to isolate which one is affected |
| Compression loss on adjacent cylinders | Classic head gasket failure pattern between two cylinders | Confirm with a leak-down test before committing to head removal |
| Valve noise or rough running after a head gasket job elsewhere | Improper valve adjustment or a warped head from the previous repair | Resurface the head if warped and reset valve lash to spec |
SymptomCoolant in the oil, milky appearance on the dipstick
Likely causeHead gasket failure or a cracked head letting coolant into the oil galleys
What we doPressure test and compression-check to confirm before pulling the head
SymptomWhite smoke and coolant loss without an external leak
Likely causeHead gasket or cracked head letting coolant into the combustion chamber
What we doCompression test each cylinder to isolate which one is affected
SymptomCompression loss on adjacent cylinders
Likely causeClassic head gasket failure pattern between two cylinders
What we doConfirm with a leak-down test before committing to head removal
SymptomValve noise or rough running after a head gasket job elsewhere
Likely causeImproper valve adjustment or a warped head from the previous repair
What we doResurface the head if warped and reset valve lash to spec
What the job involves
We run a compression and leak-down test first — the pattern of which cylinders are affected tells us a lot before the head ever comes off.
Once the head is off, we check it for warping and cracks and resurface it if needed — a warped head will blow a new gasket just as fast as the old one failed.
Valve adjustment gets reset to spec on reassembly — this is a common thing skipped by shops rushing the job, and it causes comebacks.
We pressure test the finished repair before the truck leaves, not just torque the head and call it done.
What drives the cost
What this costs depends on whether it's the gasket, a cracked head, or both, whether the head needs resurfacing, how many cylinders are affected, and what the compression and leak-down tests find. We tell you after we look at it, before we start.
Common questions
How do you know if it’s the head gasket without pulling the head?
Compression and leak-down testing show the pattern — which cylinders are low and how the pressure is escaping — before we commit to pulling anything.
Can a cracked head be repaired instead of replaced?
Depends on where and how bad the crack is. We inspect it once it’s off and give you a straight answer.
Why did my head gasket fail again after a recent repair?
Often a warped head that wasn’t resurfaced, or valve lash that wasn’t reset to spec. We check both every time.
How long does a head gasket job take?
Depends on what the inspection finds once the head is off — a straightforward gasket swap is faster than a cracked or warped head.
What does a head gasket repair cost?
Depends whether it’s just the gasket or the head itself needs resurfacing or replacement. We quote after inspection.
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Call now or send a quote request — we’ll tell you what it takes to fix it.