Signs of a Blown/Failing Head Gasket

Because the cylinder head gasket seals coolant passages, a blown or failing head gasket will allow coolant to enter the cylinders. Coolant in the cylinders can cause:

• White smoke coming from tailpipe
• Bubbling in radiator and coolant reservoir
• Milky white coloration in oil
• Engine overheating
• Loss of coolant with no external signs of leakage
• Oil and coolant streaming down head gasket
• Loss of engine power and leakage between cylinders
• Sweet smell from the exhaust or under hood area

How to Prepare Engine Surface

Before installing a new head gasket, surface conditions of the engine block and cylinder head(s) must be inspected and refinished if they are out of spec. In some cases, damaged castings may need to be replaced. Different gaskets require different surface finishes, so the surface finish must be matched to the type of gasket that is required for the application. Fel-Pro gaskets are designed specifically to accommodate the surface finish requirements for each application. To determine surface finish requirements, consult the OEM repair manual. Checking the cylinder head surface finish and flatness is an important step to take before installing a head gasket. Surface finish can be checked using a surface finish comparator or a profilometer.

Which Direction to Install a Fel-Pro Head Gasket

Some gaskets are asymmetric, and the correct orientation can be visually distinguished. Most Fel-Pro head gaskets have directional markings to help install them correctly when gasket orientation is critical to the installation. In some cases, head gaskets won’t have any directional indicators on them. In these cases, it does not matter which direction the gasket is installed. If it were crucial, it would be marked.

• FRONT: The front of the engine is the end where the drive belts are located
• RIGHT and LEFT: The right and left are determined from the driver's perspective
• TOP or THIS SIDE UP: Gaskets should be facing you once it's installed
• UP: Found on Subaru engines which have a horizontally exposed cylinders and the edge should be kept toward the top of the engine block

How to Install Fel-Pro Gaskets – Clean and Dry

Fel-Pro head gaskets are designed so no additional sealers are needed. Fel-Pro's premium materials compensate for surface imperfections and provide the proper amount of torque retention. Always consult the product instructions (where applicable) for sealing requirements prior to installation.