head gasket

[boro1986]

This may seem a silly question and they are probably a million answers but why does a head gasket go

[shero101]

The head gasket sits between the engine block and cylinder head. Why does it 'go' ? Well normally due to age and/or high mileage. When it goes the engine coolant gets into the cylinders and the symtoms are loss of power (due to loss of pressure in the engine) and clouds of white smoke out of the exhaust. I understand this is more common on 4 cylinder engines than larger configurations. I'm not a mechanic so you may get more detailed answers, it's just that I've had a couple go in my time.

[umm]

especially rovers..they are famous for it..
you would think in this day and age that someone could come up with an engine that you can still split but with some sort of gasket that does not blow.but then again how would manufacturers cream off cash from owners to repair them.

[maxximus]

overheating is the most common cause.