blew my head gasket is it safe to drive

[Anonymous]

hy to all a few months ago the head gasket started leeking water on to the pistons and has been parked but I`m going to need to move it out of town were I`m going to rebuild the engin is it safe to drive or do I need to tow it on a traler ? thanks

 

[x21]

How far out of town? I do not think it is generally recommended, although I have driven close to 100 miles or so on my old engine when it blew a gasket. However it blew on the rear portion of the rear combustion chamber (the slimmest part of the gasket), so there was no coolant leaking on the pistons. OUCH, my ears still hurt from that!
Personally, I probably would not drive it for any longer than 30 minutes in that condition. But then again that depends on the severity.
Just be careful and Good luck on the rebuild!

 

[Guest]

Personally, I wouldn't drive it.

Al

 

[Anonymous]

While I do agree that the car shouldn't be driven, sometimes it can't be avoided. If the leak is not that bad, If you are not going too far, you will most likely be ok, but there is a higher than normal level of risk here. One posibility... if you have AAA and it is less than 7 miles, just have it towed for free.

Good Luck

Bill

 

[Anonymous]

I drove mine 20 miles or so. I am HOPING I didnt do damage. Best safe than sorry...push, pull or drag it in...

 

[Anonymous]

if it is leaking water into the oil dont drive it at all . it wont take long to eat the bearings out of it if it pumping antifreeze into the oil. just my .02

 

[Anonymous]

my mother drove it close to 200 miles with it like that (had no other car to drive) it is leaking down the side of the block and on the pistons but not very much it also isn`t loud all I will need to drive it is from one small town to a smaller town so do you guys think it is ok ? thanks for the help

 

[Anonymous]

sorry I forgot to ad that it don`t have any water in the oil

 

[Asa]

While I do agree that the car shouldn't be driven, sometimes it can't be avoided. If the leak is not that bad, If you are not going too far, you will most likely be ok, but there is a higher than normal level of risk here. One posibility... if you have AAA and it is less than 7 miles, just have it towed for free.

Good Luck

Bill

depending on the plan, you can get up to 100 miles towed for free, i have before

 

[x21]

yeah- AAA Plus membership!!!
That's how i had my 68 towed back home that fateful night...

 

[Anonymous]

I don`t have AAA and this maverick was only towed 1 time in its life time

 

[Anonymous]

Didn't know that bout AAA. You learned me somthin!

Can you rent a car trailer from U-haul? Move it that way.

Thanx,
Bill

 

[Guest]

AAA Plus plan, 100 free miles. IF you have more than 100 miles to go, have the guy drop the car in a parking lot, then call back for a second tow

Even if you have regular AAA and exceed their allowed tow miles, they don't charge much for add'l miles.

Or find a friend and borrow his card, that's how Slade got his car to my house, he pretended to be me and called for a tow. (Although I don't wish it upon anybody to be me for any period of time, however short )

BTW, when you call for AAA, just ask for a flat-bed. They don't care either way.

Al

 

[Anonymous]

well I gess every one is saying to tow it my mothers van has a 3,500 hitch on it and (underline MIGHT) my uncle might let me use his four wheel traler. but if not I gess it will need to be drivin

 

[Anonymous]

If you have to drive it....pull out the thermostat so the car wont heat up/build up pressure. turn the heater to Hot (roll down the windows) Basically, keep it from getting hot as much as you can (even if you have to stop part way and let it cool off).

Towing is the better option though.

Jim