If you want to drive a car, you want to make use of this well and also you want to be safe — hey not just for you, for all of us. There are made up of many important components, and the engine is one of the main among them. That said, the occasional engine service will keep the engine running clean. A piece of the engine that plays a very essential role is the cylinder head. The engine's ability to mix air and fuel (inside the cylinder head) is also closely related to the functionality of the engine. The cylinder head needs to be sealed properly to ensure the engine runs smoothly. This guide will discuss the reasons why it is so important to seal the cylinder head and how to seal your cylinder head using a simple step-by-step process.
Cylinder head sealing is crucial for engine performance. The cylinder head needs to be sealed up well because if not, this could lead to oil leaks or even coolant leaks, both of which are liquids that help the engine be as cool or lubricated as possible. Such leaks can ultimately be very damaging to the engine. It can create significant issues that will require costly repairs if the engine gets too hot, as a result of it not being sealed properly. Getting the cylinder head sealed well will allow your engine to work well and will save you money on repairs someday down the road.
You will need to remove the cylinder head from the engine before you can seal it. For this, you will need a toolset, such as a socket set and a torque wrench. Before you go near the engine you must ensure it is cold, otherwise, you will burn yourself! The first step in this process is getting the valve cover off — the piece that sits over the top of the engine. Then remove the spark plugs, which are used for firing the engine up. Once you've done that, you can loosen the bolts that essentially hold the cylinder head in place. When pulling it out of the engine block, be sure to be gentle.
Cleaning the cylinder head goes without saying before you can even think about sealing. This is an important step! Carefully scrape any old gaskets that may be stuck to the cylinder head, using a gasket scraper. Follow that up with a light sanding just to ensure the surface is clean and smooth. After you cleaned the cylinder head, you also have to clean the engine block, the piece of the engine that the cylinder head rests on. To remove any oil or dirt build-up, use a degreaser. If you do this will help sealant apply better later on.
With the surfaces cleaned, it is time to add the sealant. Sealant is a specific material used to provide a tight seal between the cylinder head and the engine block. Be careful to choose a sealant that suits your kind of engine. Put a bead of sealant in a circle at the top edge of the engine block where the cylinder head will go. Sealant is to keep the front side of the gasket that goes between the cylinder head and block nice and thinly and evenly coated on both sides. Slowly drop the gasket into position, ensuring it seats properly all the way around.
After the head gasket has been fitted, you can raise the cylinder head back on the engine block. Replace the bolts in their original locations with care. You have to clamp them properly with the torque wrench. It allows you to use just the right amount of pressure so that all is in place but not overdo it. Once you are done bolting them down, reinstall the valve cover / spark plugs.
A proper seal of the cylinder head yields a lot of good benefits. The key benefit is that it will provide you with a better performance engine. A good engine runs smoothly, this means fewer fuel consumption and excreted harmful pollutants. Not only does this benefit your car, but this also benefits the environment. Not only that, expect a properly sealed cylinder head to save you from expensive repairs in the future thus saving you a boatload of cash long term.
