Cylinder Head Gasket: The Engine's "Invisible Guardian"

The cylinder head gasket, also known as the cylinder liner, is a critical sealing component installed between the cylinder block and cylinder head. Its core function is to fill the microscopic gaps between the two surfaces, ensuring a tight seal between the combustion chamber, cooling water channels, and oil passages, preventing gas and coolant leakage, and oil crosstalk.

I. Core Functions
Combustion Chamber Sealing: When the engine is operating, high-temperature, high-pressure gases (up to 1500°C and 10 MPa) are generated within the combustion chamber. If the cylinder head gasket fails, gas leakage can lead to reduced power, jitter, or even a failure to start.
Cooling System Protection: Prevents coolant from leaking from the water jacket into the cylinder, preventing engine overheating and internal corrosion.
Oil Channel Isolation: Prevents oil from entering the combustion chamber (oil burning) or coolant passages, ensuring the proper functioning of the lubrication system. II. Materials and Structure
Cylinder gaskets can be divided into three categories based on the material used:

Metal-asbestos gaskets: These are made of asbestos sandwiched with metal wire, covered with copper or steel. They are 1.2-2mm thick and offer excellent elasticity but low strength, making them ideal for standard engines.
Solid sheet metal gaskets: These utilize a stamped embossed design and utilize elastic deformation for sealing, making them suitable for highly reinforced engines (such as turbocharged models).
Metal-composite gaskets: These have a steel mesh or steel plate core with asbestos and rubber bonded to the sides, ensuring both strength and sealing.