![]() ![]() To understand the symptoms it can be helpful to understand why a head gasket might fail. Now that we understand what a head gasket it, it’s important to learn what head gasket failure symptoms look like to avoid higher expenses due to additional engine damage caused by driving with a blown head gasket. The head gasket also keeps coolant and oil out of the combustion chamber which is important for the same reasons you wouldn’t want coolant or oil leaking anywhere else. The head gasket is so important because it seals the combustion chamber allowing your car to build the proper compression and contain exhaust gases both of which aid in maintaining the efficiency of your engine. Every modern car has this gasket but they vary in their thickness and construction based on the manufacturer’s design of the engine. The head gasket lives between your engine block and cylinder head. Let’s start by talking about what a head gasket is. If you happen to own one of these vehicles, don’t worry it does not mean that you have a bad car or that you are going to spend lots of money. One such vehicle has such a bad reputation for head gasket problems there is a group of owners trying to get the manufacturer to have a recall on them. I've been to factories where these were built.There are some makes or models of cars that have a reputation for blowing head gaskets. Engine heaters were one of my product lines. In a previous job, I was a product manager for the largest chain of auto parts stores. Using a heater against the manufacturer's recommendation (like a tank heater in some cars) can crack the head. There are also battery blankets available, but I don't know if this would be recommended in a Miata. They are good at warming the coolant in a shorter period. Tank heaters go in line with a heater hose. Check with the manufacturer's catalog to see if it will work on your particular vehicle. Heater hose heaters are decent, but not for every car. You clean your oil pan very well, and adhere it. These are usually about 75 watts (similar to a light bulb), and won't warm the coolant when it gets very cold.ĭipstick heaters are useless. If you have a freeze plug heater, it should be plugged in when the car is warm. ![]() And the heater unit with a pump and whatnot would be a lot of added weight, but it could be removed when not expected to be in use.Īt this point, I'm just rambling and thinking out loud, in case you haven't noticed. Then again, where electric is readily available, an electric unit may be much better, especially since the Miata doesn't have the battery reserve to run a pump all that long. And you don't have to have anything to plug into, electric-wise. Another benefit is that you can run the cab fan with the heater as well, so you pre-heat the cab. ![]() I've been researching the matter for my truck, which has considerably more coolant and metal in the block, not to mention plenty of battery reserve to run a pump without issue- anyway, I'm hunting for an Arctic kit, which as you likely know, burns diesel for heat and pumps the coolant around. Then again, on an engine as small as a Miatas, it may not matter. Units that have some manner of pump involved generally work a bit faster. It does work well, given the right amount of time. ![]()
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