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.
We will start by looking at how your engine is behaving and whether the head gasket may be allowing combustion pressure, coolant, or oil to move where it should not. A failing seal can contribute to coolant loss, misfires, or overheating.
If replacement is appropriate, we will explain the work needed to access the cylinder head, inspect the sealing surfaces, and account for any overheating damage or underlying cause. Our goal is to plan the complete repair with you rather than assume replacing the gasket alone will 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.
Vehicle-specific attention
Honda & Acura.
Your engine matters.
Head gasket trouble can occur across many engines and model years. Examples that may deserve closer attention include:
- Honda Accord2018–2019 with the 1.5L turbo
- Honda CR-V2017–2022 with the 1.5L turbo
- Honda Accord Hybrid2018–2022
- Honda CR-V Hybrid2020–2022
- Other Honda and Acura modelsdepending on engine, mileage, overheating history, and symptoms
- Questions about your vehicle?Send the year, model, engine, mileage, and symptoms. We'll review them before confirming an appointment.
Primary references: American Honda manufacturer communications hosted by NHTSA for the Accord 1.5T, CR-V 1.5T, and Accord/CR-V hybrids. These documents are historical information requests—not recalls, warranty offers, or failure-rate data.
What to expect
Diagnosis first.
Details throughout.
You can expect us to confirm the source of the problem first, explain what the inspection supports, and keep you informed as the repair scope becomes clear.
Tell us what you have noticed
Share the symptoms, fault codes, service history, and any previous test results. We’ll use that information to guide appropriate checks such as cooling-system pressure, combustion-gas, compression, leak-down, or cylinder inspection.
Review the findings with us
If head gasket replacement is appropriate, we’ll explain the planned work and what may only become visible after disassembly, including warpage, cracks, or related overheating damage.
Approve the repair plan
We’ll discuss any machining, additional parts, timing components, or related seals recommended for your engine before expanding the agreed scope of work.
Receive a checked and documented repair
We’ll refill and bleed the cooling system, check for leaks or abnormal temperatures, verify engine operation, and review the completed work and any follow-up guidance with you.
Factory repair procedures and specifications vary by vehicle. Garrett's Garage uses the applicable service information for the exact engine and configuration. See the American Honda Service Information System for Honda's factory-authorized service-information program.
Why Garrett's Garage
Focused experience.
Personal attention.
Garrett brings over six years of hands-on Honda and Acura experience with 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 & Acura FocusMajor Engine WorkIndependent 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?
Not necessarily. Spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel-system issues, and other faults can cause misfires. Diagnosis helps determine whether head gasket replacement or another repair 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 return delivery may be available within 60 straight-line miles of the shop. Every request requires review for scheduling, staffing, and vehicle condition. Pickup is $150 and return delivery is $150 ($300 total). Please also let us know if the 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