Blown head gasket

2002 JAGUAR XJ8
140,000 MILES • 1.0L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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LLEYLEONA STEWART
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  • 1 POST
This car has a blown head gasket when you start up the car steam and water comes out. Do you have to install a new engine or can you just fix the gasket?
Jun 17, 2016 at 10:13 AM
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CARADIODOC
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 34,308 POSTS
Replace the cylinder head gaskets, but have the heads checked for cracks and flatness. There is a spec for the allowable amount of warpage before a head must be resurfaced. That is commonly around .002" to .005". If you plan on doing this yourself, proper surface finish is critical for the gasket to bite into the surfaces and seal. Do not just slap in a pair of gaskets and expect that is all it takes.
Jun 17, 2016 at 2:48 PM