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What Are the Different Gaskets in My Engine?

Gaskets in your engine


Gaskets are designed to provide a cushion and a seal between two engine surfaces. Engines, by virtue of their material and function, are subject to changes in temperature while engine parts are subject to movement. As the engine heats up and cools down, it experiences pressure from compression and vacuum, and engine parts expand, contract, move away from each other and are drawn tighter.

Because the engine experiences forces and stress from every direction, the gaskets are heated, cooled and rubbed. A cold gasket reacts differently than a hot gasket, just as a gasket under increased pressure acts differently under decreased pressure. Read on as we take a look at the different gaskets in your vehicle.

Valve cover gasket


The valve cover gasket sits between a relatively thin steel cover, and a head that is cast from iron, aluminum or alloy (mixture of metals or metals and non-metals). When the engine is first started on a cold day, the oil that flows through the system could be 32°F or colder. The gasket, like the head and valve cover, are just as cold. As the engine warms up, the oil, head, cover and gasket warm at different rates.

The heat generated by the friction in the head and engine block heats the oil. As a result, the heat radiated by the block, head and oil heats the valve cover. You can see how this process might cause a leak at one point, say before the worn gasket has had time to acclimate, and cause a leak to seal itself at another point in the course of operation.

Oil pan gasket


The oil pan gasket sits below the engine block in the area called the crankcase, named so because that is where the crankshaft resides. It is compressed between the crankcase and a durable steel pan. The pan is relatively thinner than the crankcase, which is generally cast from iron, aluminum or alloy. The same physical aspects that affect the valve cover gasket and head gasket affect the oil pan gasket.

Oil resides in the oil pan when an engine is not running. As the engine heats up on a cold winter day, the oil, pan and gasket follow suit. When the engine is turned off and the hot oil returns to the pan, the three cool at different rates. Over time, a stressed oil pan gasket can fail at different times, either under the cold condition, the warm condition or under the moving conditions of the pan against the case.

Intake Manifold Gasket


Typically made from aluminized steel coated in a carbon-based rubber compound, the intake manifold gasket seals the intake manifold to the engine. High-quality intake manifold gaskets are constructed as one-piece with reinforced edges and linings around each port or runner opening. They must be resistant to decay caused by oils and coolants. The performance of your engine depends upon the quality of the intake manifold gasket.

If the intake manifold gasket fails, coolant can leak out of the manifold. Since the engine is losing coolant, it may overheat because it no longer can properly cool itself. If the issue isn’t addressed in a timely manner, it can cause permanent damage to the engine block and cylinders.

Timing Cover Gasket


Designed to protect the timing belt or chain, the timing cover features the timing cover gasket which provides an airtight seal between the timing cover and engine block. The cover and gasket help keep dirt and debris from damaging the timing belt which controls the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft.

Over time, the gasket can dry out and fail. As the gasket dries out, it shrinks away from the surface and breaks the seal which can lead to failure. If the timing cover gasket fails, you may notice oil leaking from the timing cover or you may experience poor engine performance from debris hampering the rotation of the timing belt.

Final thoughts

If you are experiencing a fluid leak, make an appointment with your professional mechanic. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and complete the necessary repairs.



Tags: Gasket Sets
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