Motor / Antrieb / Getriebe » Remember Elvira? Cassandra

Your vehicle's head gasket (HG) is sandwiched between the cylinder head and engine block. The part serves multiple purposes. First Gustav Forsling Jersey , it prevents coolant from seeping into each cylinder's bore. Second, it helps maintain pressure within the engine by sealing off the combustion chambers. The operation and performance of your car are heavily dependent on the HG's ability to keep the seal intact and free from leaks.

When the head gasket fails, it must be replaced. Unfortunately, the job is expensive - the price can climb past $1 John Hayden Jersey ,000. The part itself is relatively inexpensive; a high-quality head gasket typically costs less than $70. The reason replacing it is so costly is due to its location. The mechanic needs to remove the engine head in order to get to it.

Below, you'll discover the main reasons the HG fails. Some you can avoid while others may be inescapable.

Stress Between Disparate Metals

Your car's cylinder head and engine block are made from different metals. The heads are usually comprised of aluminum. The block is made from cast iron. One of the reasons cylinder heads are made from aluminum is because the metal is lighter than iron. The problem is, aluminum has a higher thermal expansion rate. When the temperature around your engine rises (as it does during operation), the aluminum expands much more quickly than the block's iron.

This places stress on the HG. The head and block rub against each other because they are expanding at different rates. Even though the gasket sitting between them is normally designed with steel or copper Brandon Manning Jersey , the constant rubbing over thousands of miles gradually tears it apart.

Many of today's vehicles are equipped with HGs made of graphite. This material is more capable of withstanding the stress caused by the varying expansion rates of the cylinder head and engine block. But they can still break down over time.

Bad Installation

There are a few ways in which a bad HG installation can cause problems down the road. One of the most prevalent issues involves the head bolts. These bolts hold the gasket securely to the engine block. If they're tightened down with the wrong torque, they will create seal problems.

Another issue involves the surface of the block or cylinder head. If either surface is less than smooth, the rubbing between them will accelerate the gasket's deterioration and eventual failure.

Occasionally, head gasket failure is due to the type of sealer used upon it. If the HG is made from a composite (e.g. graphite) Brandon Saad Jersey , the wrong sealer can cause a chemical reaction. This reaction can degrade the gasket's integrity.

Stress From Engine Problems

As I mentioned earlier, there are factors that impact your vehicle's head gasket that you can influence. These involve problems with your engine. The most common engine-related issue that leads to gasket failure is detonation (also known as spark knock). This occurs when the air-fuel mixture within a cylinder's combustion chamber is poorly calibrated. It can happen due to a malfunctioning exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, bad (i.e. cheap) fuel, and carbon buildup. These circumstances can cause the mixture inside the chamber to ignite erratically Artem Anisimov Jersey , which places stress on the gasket.

Another engine-related problem is overheating (though this is a rarer cause of HG failure than spark knock). Your engine is already operating at high temperatures. When it overheats, the temperature rises dramatically. While the HG is designed to withstand heat, the significant rise can cause it to deteriorate.

There's obviously very little you can do about the type of metals that comprise your car's engine block and cylinder head. And you're unlikely to have much say over the HG's installation. But you can influence the long-term health of your engine and thereby, help protect the integrity of your vehicle's head gasket.Back in the old days Chris Kunitz Jersey , you would probably wear whatever was the hottest cartoon character or someone from your favorite comic if you were lucky or just whatever plastic mask and jumper combo your mom picked up from the local five and ten. But those days are long gone and most people will look at you like you went mad if you say things like "five and ten" to them anymore. Now that you are an adult, you can make your own Halloween costume choices and these are the 7 hottest to choose from:

Number Seven: Megan Fox in Transformers

Okay, well, anything Megan Fox Alex DeBrincat Jersey , the girl is gorgeous. Start with the dark tousled hair, the full pouty lips and then throw on a torn top and very short shorts. If you can pull off the look, good for you. If you cannot but still want to wear it- comic relief is always good too.

Number Six: Naughty Nurse

Ah, the classics never die. All that you need is a very short and very tight nurses uniform Brent Seabrook Jersey , an old style cap and some sexy, white lace nylons and you are set to make your nighttime rounds. Wear some sexy white platform heels, the kind a real nurse would never be able to wear and then get ready to take a lot of temperatures and check a lot of pulses.

Number Five: the French Maid

No man can resist the idea of the French maid costume. Starting with a cute black dress and little lacy drawers underneath, it is an ooh Patrick Kane Jersey , la la of a cute custom. Finish off the look with a feather duster to tease the "master" of the house and you will be the big hit of the night.

Number Four: Slinky, Sexy Schoolgirl

Even if they won't admit it, nearly every man has had a PYT fantasy in his head- you know where some hot, nubile little bit of trouble comes sauntering over to him and just can't keep her hands off of him. Short plaid skirt Corey Crawford Jersey , tight white blouse (tie it at the waist if you dare) and pony tails and you are set. Surprise him with the costume and you will be the wife of the year.

Number Three: Vampira

Remember Elvira? Cassandra Peterson, a gorgeous red. Cheap Jerseys Cheap Hats Cheap MLB Jerseys com/]Cheap NCAA Hoodies China[/url] Wholesale MLB Shirts Wholesale College Hats