1. Engine Misfire: A cracked head can cause a cylinder to not get the proper compression it needs to fire, leading to an engine misfire.
2. Coolant Leakage: If the crack extends to the water jacket, coolant can leak from the crack, leading to a drop in coolant level in the reservoir.
3. Pressurized Cooling System: A cracked head can cause the cooling system to become pressurized, as combustion gases leak into the coolant. This can lead to the radiator cap popping off or bulging.
4. White Smoke from Exhaust: If the crack is between the cylinder and the exhaust port, exhaust gases can leak into the coolant, causing white smoke to come from the exhaust.
5. Loss of Power: A cracked head can lead to a loss of power as the engine struggles to compress the air/fuel mixture properly.
6. Rough Idle: If the crack affects one cylinder more than the others, it can cause a rough idle as the engine struggles to stay running on all cylinders.
7. Engine Overheating: A cracked head can cause the engine to overheat as coolant circulates through the damaged area and leaks out, reducing the engine's ability to cool itself.
8. Oil Contamination: If the crack compromises the oil galleries, oil and coolant can mix, leading to oil contamination and loss of lubrication properties.
