Can You Repair a Cracked Cylinder Head?

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Categories: Cylinder Head Tips

The cylinder head is a vital part of many internal combustion engines. Along with a head gasket and rubber grommets, it seals the cylinders of the engine, ensuring its fuel intake, combustion, cooling and lubrication are all in working order.

One of the most important first steps in cylinder head repair is determining what piece is damaged, as this could mean the difference between a simple, decisive repair and a problem going unnoticed, only to require even more costly repairs when that problem worsens.

To DIY or not to DIY?

It can be tempting to just buy the spare parts needed for the repair and attempt to replace or repair the head yourself, but without the proper training you very well may miss cracks in more damaging places, difficult to see with the naked eye. Professional mechanics also have access to more sophisticated methods for testing the damage a head has suffered. Trying to save money by doing the repairs yourself may just end up costing far more than a traditional mechanic may have charged in the first place. Speaking of which…

The average cost:

Depending upon the extent of the damages, the average repair can range from less than $100 to upwards of thousands in a worst case scenario. The cost is usually determined by the amount of labor the job requires, whether the head needed full replacement or a simple repair, as well as what materials the head is built from (iron is older, and tends to be more expensive to work with than the more modern aluminum due to scarcity of parts). For a better price in the long run, always be sure to get your car in for repairs as soon as you suspect it has a mechanical issue of some kind. Check out this previous blog post for tips on how to determine if your cylinder head is damaged.

When it’s time to replace:

Sadly, not every cylinder head can be repaired. In some cases, the damage a cylinder head suffers is too great to fix. The best way to determine whether a cylinder head needs replacement is assessment from a professional. There are some signs you can keep an eye out for, however, including white smoke coming from the engine, large cracks around the valves of the head, or simply the age of the part. Luckily, Clearwater Cylinder Heads offers new and rebuilt cylinder heads for nearly every make and model of car, making the ordeal of replacing a cylinder head that much cheaper and easier.

The Cylinder Head Repair Experts

Since repairing bad cylinder heads or gaskets is not a typical DIY project, we recommend that you consult a professional company. Clearwater Cylinder Head Inc. (CCH) is a reputable, experienced (over 25 years) dealer. We specialize in providing quality and warranty-backed rebuilt cylinder heads for a variety of vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, etc). With a massive online catalog of cylinder heads, we most likely have the cylinder heads for your repair needs. The knowledgeable staff at CCH is happy to help you find the cylinder head that is right for your vehicle. Please contact Clearwater Cylinder Head Inc. toll-free at 1-800-572-1963.