Honda Head Gasket Replacement in Berkeley
Welcome to the premier Honda repair shop in the East Bay – Oceanworks Berkeley. We provide Honda head gasket replacement, as well as a complete range of Honda maintenance services and repairs. Many Honda repair shops are reluctant to take on head gasket replacement, but our technicians are Honda experts, and if your vehicle needs head gasket replacement, we will be happy to do the job for you.
As a vehicle ages, head gasket problems become more likely. Older Honda vehicles, in particular, are prone to head gasket problems - as your Honda goes past 200,000 miles, a blown head gasket is a real possibility. Replacing a blown head gasket is a major repair, and it requires experience and expertise not all repair shops can provide.
The head gasket is a sealing layer of durable material (steel, copper or composite) that is placed between cylinder head and engine block. When tightened down, it creates a very tight seal. When that seal develops a leak, it is colloquially referred to as a “blown head gasket”. Fortunately it’s is a misnomer - there is no explosion. What happens is that the seal develops a leak that can lead to a variety of problems, all bad. One of the telltale signs of a blown head gasket is white exhaust coming out of the tail pipe – the result of engine coolant leaking into the engine.
Common Symptoms of a Bad Head Gasket:
- Oil leaks – with regular maintenance we can spot the leak and based on its location can decide if further testing for head gasket problems is necessary
- Engine overheating
- White exhaust coming out of the tailpipe usually indicates head gasket problem
- Smell of Sulphur from the coolant reservoir
These are only some of the more obvious symptoms of head gasket problems. We recommend hiring professionals to diagnose and repair head gasket issues, since incorrect diagnosis or incorrectly preformed head gasket repair can result in engine damage.
How do we approach head gasket replacement at Oceanworks Berkeley:
Step 1: Diagnosis – our highly trained, nationally ASE certified master technician will use cutting-edge diagnostic tools and decades of experience to diagnose your vehicle and to confirm the root cause of the problems and symptoms you encountered. If a blown head gasket is at fault, we go to step 2.
Step 2: Engine is removed from the vehicle.
Step 3: We disassemble the engine and check the extent of engine damage – depending on the extent of the damage, in addition to head gasket replacement there may be need for additional repairs.
Step 4: We prepare/clean metal surfaces so the new head gasket can be installed and heads resealed. At this stage, we may also replace other worn out or damaged parts.
Step 5: Engine is reassembled, checked, and then reinstalled in the vehicle.
Step 6: We reconnect the engine to the powertrain.
Step 7: Stationary engine test.
Step 8: Test drive – this is the final step – we take the vehicle for a test drive to make sure everything works correctly under normal driving conditions.
When you bring your Honda to our Berkeley auto repair garage, you can expect not only friendly service, but also highly experienced, nationally ASE certified technicians working on your Honda. With all services and repairs we offer:
- 2 year / 24,000 miles warranty
- Free digital vehicle inspection with service or repairs
- Original Equipment quality parts
- Written estimates
Whether your Honda exhibits symptoms of a blown head gasket, or if it simply needs oil change, or if you have any concerns about your vehicle, call the Honda specialists at Oceanworks Berkeley. We will be happy to answer your questions and to make an appointment that fits your schedule.