Head Gasket Diagnosis
Cooling system pressure test, combustion gas test and compression test, so a blown gasket is confirmed before the engine is stripped.
Hermanus & Randburg
Cylinder Head & Head Gasket Repair
Overheating, coolant that keeps disappearing or milky oil under the filler cap usually means the head gasket has gone or the cylinder head has cracked or warped. At Fangio Auto we pressure test and confirm the fault, strip the head, have it tested and skimmed, and rebuild it with new gaskets, bolts and valves where needed, at both Randburg and Hermanus.
Quality Parts
Hermanus & Randburg
Honest Diagnosis
Transparent Quoting
What We Do
Cylinder Head Work at Fangio Auto
A head job done properly is a strip, test, machine and rebuild. Done badly it comes back in months.
Head Gasket Replacement
Head removed, faces cleaned and checked, and the head refitted with a new gasket set and new stretch bolts torqued in sequence.
Skimming & Crack Testing
The head pressure tested and crack tested, then skimmed flat within the manufacturer's limit by our engineering partners.
Valve & Seat Work
Burnt valves replaced, seats recut and valve stem seals renewed while the head is off, so it does not smoke afterwards.
Broken & Seized Bolts
Snapped head bolts, seized manifold studs and stripped threads drilled out and repaired with inserts.
Cooling System Fixed Too
The thermostat, water pump, radiator and fan that caused the overheating repaired, or the new gasket will fail the same way.
Warning Signs
When to Book a Check
Head gasket failure is a chain of symptoms. Stop driving and book a check if you see these.
The temperature gauge climbs or the overheating warning comes on
Coolant disappears with no leak on the ground
White smoke or sweet-smelling steam from the exhaust
Milky, creamy sludge under the oil filler cap or on the dipstick
Bubbles in the expansion tank with the engine running
A misfire or rough running when the engine is cold
Why Choose Fangio
Why Owners Choose Fangio
We test before we strip, we machine the head properly, and we fix what caused the overheating.
Confirmed, Not Assumed
Coolant loss can be a pipe, a water pump or a radiator cap. A gas test and a pressure test tell us it is the gasket before the head comes off.
Machined and Tested
Every head is crack tested and skimmed by engineering specialists. A warped head on a new gasket fails again.
Both Branches
Cylinder head and head gasket work is done at Randburg and at Hermanus, on petrol and diesel engines.
Choose Your Branch
Randburg Branch
Serving Johannesburg & Surrounds
110 Susman Ave, Blairgowrie, Randburg
Tel: 011 326 3133 - Mon-Fri 07:30 - 16:30
Hermanus Branch
Serving the Overberg & Garden Route
13A Steenbras Road, Hermanus Industrial
Tel: 087 164 1041 - Mon-Fri 08:00 - 17:00
Got Questions?
Cylinder Head Repair - FAQs
How do I know if my head gasket has blown?
Milky oil, coolant loss without a leak, white exhaust smoke, bubbles in the expansion tank and overheating are the usual signs. A combustion gas test on the coolant confirms it in minutes.
Can I drive with a blown head gasket?
No. Coolant in the oil destroys bearings and overheating warps the head. Every kilometre adds to the repair bill. Have the car recovered rather than driven.
Does the head always need skimming?
It always needs checking. Overheating warps aluminium heads, and a head that is out of flat will not seal on a new gasket. If it measures within limit it is not skimmed unnecessarily.
How long does a head gasket job take?
Usually several days, because the head goes out for testing and machining and the rebuild has to be done in sequence. We give a realistic time when we quote.
Why did the head gasket fail in the first place?
Almost always overheating: a failed thermostat, water pump, radiator fan or a leak that was left. We find and fix that cause as part of the job, otherwise the new gasket fails too.
Do you repair cylinder heads with broken bolts or stripped threads?
Yes. Snapped head bolts and seized manifold studs are drilled out and threads repaired with inserts, which is far cheaper than a replacement head.
More From Fangio
Related Services and Repairs
Ready to Book?
Book Your Head Gasket Test
Tell us what the car did before it overheated and we will test it at Randburg or Hermanus and give you a clear, itemised quote before the head comes off.