Misfires or rough running
A rough start, shaking idle, or check-engine light can occur when coolant enters a cylinder. Misfire codes alone do not identify the cause.
Honda & Acura • Hollywood, Maryland
Head Gasket
Repair.
Handled with care.
Major engine work deserves a mechanic who knows your vehicle. Garrett's Garage specializes in Honda and Acura repairs, with head gasket work at the heart of what we do.
Serving Hollywood and Southern Maryland. Every appointment is confirmed after review.
What the job involves
A small seal.
A major responsibility.
The head gasket seals the joint between the engine block and cylinder head. It keeps combustion pressure contained and helps keep coolant and oil in their separate passages. When that seal fails, an engine can lose coolant, misfire, or overheat.
Head gasket replacement requires access to the cylinder head, removal of the damaged gasket, and inspection of the mating surfaces. The repair must also account for any overheating damage and the cause of the failure. Replacing the gasket alone may not address every issue.
Start with the symptoms
What should you look for?
These signs can point to a head gasket problem, but none confirms it on its own. Ignition, fueling, cooling-system, and cylinder-head problems can produce similar symptoms.
Persistent white exhaust
White exhaust after the engine warms up, especially with coolant loss, deserves investigation. Brief condensation on a cold start is different.
Unexplained coolant loss
Repeatedly needing coolant without an obvious external leak can indicate an internal leak. Other cooling-system faults need to be checked too.
Overheating or fluid contamination
A rising temperature gauge, coolant being pushed out, or coolant mixed with oil can signal a serious problem requiring inspection.
Engine overheating or check-engine light flashing? Stop safely, shut the engine off, and arrange help. Do not open a hot cooling system or keep driving to test the symptoms.
Technical background: Fel-Pro's head gasket symptoms guide and head gasket versus cylinder-head diagnosis.
Vehicle-specific attention
Honda & Acura.
Your engine matters.
A model name or year alone cannot diagnose a head gasket. These Honda model groups appear in manufacturer communications about confirmed coolant-to-cylinder leaks and misfires. They are useful context, not failure-rate rankings or a claim that every vehicle is affected.
Honda Accord • 2018–2019
1.5L turbo. Honda requested parts from certain vehicles with misfire codes and confirmed head gasket coolant leaks. Honda communication (PDF)
Honda CR-V • 2017–2022
1.5L turbo. A later Honda parts request included this engine and year range with confirmed coolant leaks and misfire codes; it excluded the 2.4L. Honda communication (PDF)
Honda Accord & CR-V hybrids
2018–2022 Accord Hybrid and 2020–2022 CR-V Hybrid. Honda also investigated qualifying cases in these groups. Hybrid engines are distinct from the Accord 2.0T. Honda communication (PDF)
Civic, Acura & other model years
Head gasket issues are not limited to the models above. Contact us with your year, model, engine, mileage, and symptoms so we can review your specific vehicle. For other makes, please contact us before requesting repair work.
These historical parts-collection requests are not recalls, current warranty offers, or proof of how frequently a model fails.
How the repair works
Diagnosis first.
Details throughout.
The exact work depends on your engine and the inspection findings. A head gasket repair generally follows these stages:
Confirm the source
Review symptoms, fault codes, and service history. Depending on the concern, diagnosis may include cooling-system pressure testing, combustion-gas testing, compression or leak-down checks, and inspection inside the cylinders.
Inspect beyond the gasket
Once replacement is appropriate, remove the cylinder head and inspect for warpage, cracks, and related damage. Findings determine whether machining, additional parts, or a different repair approach is needed.
Reassemble for the specific engine
Prepare the sealing surfaces and install the correct gasket and required hardware. Follow the applicable tightening sequence and specifications, and address timing components and related seals as the repair requires.
Check the completed work
Refill and bleed the cooling system as specified, check for leaks and abnormal temperatures, and verify engine operation. The original symptoms and any related faults guide the final checks.
Repair background: Fel-Pro on head gasket damage and repair.
Why Garrett's Garage
Focused experience.
Personal attention.
Garrett brings over six years of specialized Honda and Acura experience, with Honda and Acura certifications and a focus on major engine repairs. Head gaskets, timing belts, and timing chains are priority work at this independent Hollywood shop.
We use OEM or OEM-equivalent parts and take the vehicle's exact configuration into account. You can share previous diagnostic information, ask questions about the proposed work, and discuss the findings before moving forward.
The completed work and customer feedback below let you see that experience in practice.
Honda CertifiedAcura CertifiedIndependent Shop
Proof of work
Completed head gasket jobs.
Explore published head gasket repairs and related diagnostic visits. Each entry describes the work actually performed; an inspection does not necessarily mean a gasket was replaced.
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From our customers
Head gasket reviews.
Customer experiences with head gasket concerns and related repairs. Open any review to read it in full, right here.
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Before your appointment
A few common questions.
Does a misfire mean I need a head gasket?
No. Spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel-system issues, and other faults can cause misfires. Diagnosis is needed before deciding whether head gasket replacement is appropriate.
How much will it cost, and how long will it take?
The engine, damage found, parts required, and current schedule affect the estimate and turnaround. Send your vehicle details and any previous diagnosis so we can discuss the scope. Additional cylinder-head work may change the repair plan.
Can you pick up and return my vehicle?
Pickup and drop-off are each $150 within 30 miles of the shop, subject to availability and confirmation. Request the option when contacting us; it is not guaranteed. Let us know if your vehicle cannot be driven safely.
What should I send with my request?
Include the year, make, model, engine if known, mileage, VIN, symptoms, and any diagnostic codes or prior inspection results. Appointment requests are reviewed before a date and time are confirmed.
Let's talk about your vehicle
Ready for a
closer look?
Based in Hollywood, welcoming drivers from across Southern Maryland, including Leonardtown, California, Lexington Park, and Mechanicsville.
Garrett's Garage
25215 Vista Road
Hollywood, MD 20636