While you *might* be able to drive a short distance, it's risky and depends on the severity of the head gasket failure. Here's why:
* Overheating: This is the most immediate and serious danger. A blown head gasket compromises the seal between the coolant and combustion chambers. This can lead to coolant leaking into the cylinders, causing the engine to overheat rapidly and potentially warp the cylinder head or crack the engine block. This is catastrophic engine failure.
* Oil contamination: Coolant can leak into the engine oil, diluting it and ruining its lubricating properties. This leads to increased engine wear and potential seizure.
* Compression loss: Combustion gases can leak into the cooling system, reducing engine power and causing further damage.
* White smoke: You'll likely notice white smoke coming from the exhaust, a clear sign of a blown head gasket.
In short, the amount of time you can drive with a blown head gasket is as little as possible. Get your car towed to a mechanic immediately. The cost of repair will be far less than the cost of replacing a damaged engine.
