Tractor Gaskets

What is a gasket?

A gasket is a mechanical seal which fills the space between two or more surface preventing leakage of liquids and gases between the component parts. The head gasket sits between the engine block and cylinder head. It is vital to seal the combustion chamber allowing your engine to build the proper compression and contain exhaust gases both of which aid in maintaining the efficiency of your engine.  The gasket keeps coolant and oil out of the combustion chamber while under compression and fill unnecessary space where imperfect surfaces on machine parts don’t form a complete seal.

What are the types of gaskets are used in a tractor?

Static Seals – used between two static surfaces

Dynamic Seals - used between engine parts that rotate

O - Rings – used for high pressure applications (e.g hydraulics)

What happens when a Head Gaskets is blown?

The head gasket has to deal with extremes of temperature at high pressure so can develop leaks over time. As a visual inspection cannot always show a leak the other symptoms can be recognised as:

• Loss of Coolant – leaking from blown seal
• White smoke from the exhaust – leaked coolant burning off
• Bubbles in the radiator  – escaped exhaust gases creating bubbles in the coolant
• Overheating engine - due to loss of coolant.
• Milky looking oil - where oil & coolant mix

If you do not deal with blown gaskets you may cause long term damage to component parts where they over expand in the heat resulting in permenant cracking and warping.  You may also find that if your oil has turned milky it will not lubricate your engine efficiently causing rust and additional wear on cylinder walls and the crank and camshaft bearings.