What Problems Indicate Head Gasket Failure on C15 ACERT Diesel Engines?

We all know that the head gasket is important. It's what creates the seal between the engine block and cylinder head to allow for combustion to happen. Without it, your diesel engine won't run properly. 

So what exactly happens if there's a problem with the head gasket on your Caterpillar C15 ACERT? To start with, you might notice a significant decrease in the way your engine performs. But that's not the only issue you might have. 

We've put together a list of symptoms that indicate you might be having trouble with your head gasket. Read on to see if this is the source of performance problems in your CAT C15 ACERT.

You can also check out our video about C15 ACERT head gaskets:

 

 

Has your C15 ACERT head gasket failed? Our ASE Certified Techs are ready to get you the parts you need to get your engine running again!

Give Us A Call!

 

Don't have an ACERT? Read our article on head gasket problems in the CAT C15 diesel engine.

 

Symptoms of Head Gasket Failure

 

cat c15 acert gasket failure symptoms | Highway & Heavy Parts

 

A head gasket failure isn't something that will slip under the radar. It can cause other problems in your diesel engine. If your gasket is failing on your diesel engine, you're likely to notice some of the following symptoms:

  • Pushing Coolant Out of the Radiator
  • Coolant in Your Oil
  • Low/No Compression
  • Decrease in Engine Performance
  • Extreme Heat
  • Losing Water

These symptoms aren't unique to head gasket failure, so you'll need to be sure to properly diagnose the source of the problem.

 

What Causes Head Gasket Failure?

There are several things that can cause your head gasket to fail on your CAT C15 ACERT diesel engine.

 

cat c15 acert gasket failure thermal push | Highway & Heavy Parts

 

First, you can have a problem with detonation causing thermal push. This leads to a blown head gasket. In other words, extreme heat can distort the cylinder bore edges of the head gasket. 

 

cat c15 acert gasket failure poor surface conditions | Highway & Heavy Parts

 

Poor surface conditions can lead to scoring on the gasket. This can be caused by the surface of the cylinder head being too rough, and leading to variations of thickness on your gasket. This lets the combustion leak out and can damage the seals.

Sometimes sealant is used to install the head gasket. This isn't recommended, as it prevents a proper seal and can cause leaks, as well as other problems for your engine. In general, it's not recommended to use sealant unless manufacturer instructions say to.

The CAT C15 ACERT tends to have more head gasket failures due to having the intake valve actuator removed. This results in higher cylinder pressures due to the compression.

Want to know more? Check out our head gasket failure anaylsis!

 

Purchasing a New Head Gasket

If your head gasket is blown, you'll be looking for a new one. Highway & Heavy Parts has a great selection of gaskets that can help with a failure on your CAT C15. Be sure to check out highwayandheavyparts.com, or call one of our ASE Certified Technicians. Having your engine serial number handy can help ordering go even smoother.

There are a few things to consider when purchasing a new head gasket. Do you need just the head gasket? Maybe you should get the head gasket set? What about a lower engine gasket set? If you have these questions, be sure to check out our article, Selecting Head Gasket Sets, to see what option might be right for your diesel engine.

 

Looking for a new head gasket, or another replacement part for your diesel engine? Our ASE Certified Techs can help! Call us at 844-304-7688, or request a quote online!