Your head gasket creates the seal between the engine block and the cylinder head, allowing for combustion. It’s vital to the overall performance of your engine, and without it, your engine couldn’t run properly.
Sometimes, though, you might run into a problem with the head gasket on your Caterpillar C15 ACERT diesel engine.
So, how do you know if this is happening to you?
You might notice a dropoff in how your engine performs first, but that’s not the only problem it can cause.
In this post, we’re taking a look at the possible symptoms that can indicate a head gasket failure in your C15 ACERT.
What Are the Symptoms of a Failing Head Gasket?
For the most part, a head gasket failure isn’t something that happens quietly—there’s a good chance you’ll notice some of the symptoms.
And it can cause other problems in your diesel engine, including:
- Pushing Coolant Out of the Radiator
- Low/No Compression
- Extreme Heat
- Coolant in Your Oil
- Decrease in Engine Performance
- Losing Water
What To Do If You Notice These Symptoms
The above list isn’t all the problems caused by a head gasket failure, just some of the common ones you might experience.
They also aren’t exclusive to head gasket failure, so if you notice any of them happening in your C15 ACERT, you’ll want to diagnose the source of the problem. This will help you ensure you’re getting the right fix and to help prevent it from happening again.
Some Major Causes of Head Gasket Failure
A number of problems can cause head gasket failure in your CAT C15 ACERT. These include:
1. Thermal Push
It’s possible that you’re experiencing a problem with detonation that results in thermal push. This can lead to a blown head gasket.
In this case, the extreme heat distorts the cylinder bore edges of the head gasket.
2. Poor Surface Conditions
If the surface conditions aren’t ideal, you can end up scoring on the gasket. This leads to combustion leaking out, and it can damage the seals.
Scoring can be caused by a rough cylinder head surface, resulting in different thicknesses on your gasket.
3. Improper Sealant Use
Using sealant to install the head gasket on your C15 ACERT isn’t recommended. It prevents a proper seal, allowing for leaks to occur.
In general, unless specified by the manufacturer’s instructions, using sealant to install your head gasket is not recommended.
4. Intake Valve Actuator Removal
Removing the valve actuator is a large cause of head gasket failure in CAT C15 ACERTs. This can cause higher cylinder pressure from the compression.
Purchasing a New Head Gasket
If you blow a head gasket, then it’s time to replace it.
Highway & Heavy Parts is here to help! We have a great selection of head gaskets, and one of our ASE Certified Technicians will be happy to help you find the right part for your job!
We have different options when purchasing a head gasket, including just the head gasket, a head gasket set, and a lower engine gasket set. If you’re not sure which is the right choice for you, check out our article, Selecting Head Gasket Sets, or give us a call!
From diagnosis through delivery, we’re Highway & Heavy Parts!
Related Articles:
GASKET DAMAGE: THERMAL PUSH FROM DETONATION
GASKET INSTALLATION MISTAKES TO AVOID
HEAD GASKETS FAILURE ANALYSIS
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