Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2003 18:24:26 +0100 From: David Taylor <djtaylornopsamoot.com> Subject: Re: Saab Service Today
> Could someone explain what the head gasket does and if a leak is serious ? It's a seal between the engine block and the cylinder head. There are holes in it that pass coolant and oil. If the gasket leaks as mine did a few weeks back the in my case, I got massive loss of coolant (I didn't realise you could air cool a Saab!) and potential cross contamination of oil and water. My gasket was replaced and now it seems I have a cracked cylinder head which means that it's coming off again and will have to be tested and possibly replaced. The problem that I now have is contamination of the coolant, overpressurisation of the coolant leading to fluid loss through the top of the expansion tank and the worst part is that the over pressure could cause a hose to fail at an annoying point. Great, just what I need, a head gasket changed twice in a month. :( David.