The cylinder heads are the top part of the cylinder of an engine and they work to keep these cylinders sealed properly. When they crack, your engine can leak oil or cause other damage that may result in your entire engine needing replacement.

An engine that is overheating regularly is one primary cause of a cracked cylinder head, so consider three reasons why your car's engine may be consistently overheating. It's vital that you understand these causes as simply replacing a cylinder head without addressing the reason it's cracked will not correct the problem permanently; other cylinder heads will also simply crack at a later time if you don't address the reason your engine overheats.

1. Coolant leaks

Your car's coolant levels should be checked every time you have your oil changed and they should never get so low that you need to add coolant more often than that. If you do notice that your coolant levels are consistently low, you need to check the hoses from the radiator to the engine as well as the radiator plug. It's also good to check the front of the radiator for small holes that can cause fluid to leak. Start your car and note if there is radiator fluid coming from any of these areas as it gets pumped to the engine.

2. Air pockets in the coolant system

When you add coolant to your radiator, it's important that air be bled out of it before the engine is run, otherwise this will cause less coolant to be delivered to your engine and in turn it will overheat. A radiator has a bleeder hole or valve that you can use when adding additional coolant that removes these air pockets. If you're not sure of where it's located, look at your owner's manual and follow the instructions carefully.

3. A faulty thermostat

If your thermostat is not reading the engine temperature correctly, it will not signal the radiator to deliver coolant as it should and the engine will overheat. Any repair shop should be able to test your thermostat to ensure it's working and replace it easily.

These are the three most common reasons for an engine to consistently overheat and cause a cracked cylinder head. A faulty water pump, engine fan, clutch fan, and radiator are also possible culprits, but check these three possibilities first to ensure you protect your engine from overheating and, in turn, protect the cylinder heads from cracking. For more information, have your car inspected at an auto shop, such as Reconditioning Services.

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