by 
The Curious Bag
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A blown head gasket is possibly the worst type of automobile mechanical failure, and it can be caused by several factors.
Purpose
The head gasket's purpose is to provide a seal between the different engine compartments, including the combustion chambers and the areas where coolant and oil flow.
Overheating
Overheating is the most common cause of blown head gaskets. This is caused either by a coolant leak or a faulty thermostat.
Installation
If a head gasket is incorrectly installed, it can malfunction. These errors can happen at the factory or through improper maintenance. Errors include incorrect bolts, incorrect finish, overtightened bolts, unclean block or an engine block that is not flat.
Combustion
When fuel does not burn at a smooth rate, two types of abnormal combustion can occur. Fuel can combust erratically when there is too much heat in the combustion chamber, causing detonation. If the fuel ignites before it is sparked, this is known as pre-ignition. Both abnormalities can damage the engine by resulting in a blown head gasket.
Misconceptions
Oil and coolant rarely mix with each other following a blown head gasket.
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