How Long Should The Cylinder Head Be Used? ​

As the core component of the engine, the cylinder head directly affects power output and operational stability. However, there is no fixed standard for its service life, which is usually affected by multiple factors such as material, usage habits, and maintenance methods. It can generally cover 80% -90% of the engine's service life and can accompany the vehicle for 150000 to 300000 kilometers in most cases. Some well maintained models can even exceed 400000 kilometers.

1、 Core factors affecting the lifespan of cylinder heads

Firstly, there is a difference in material. Currently, the mainstream cylinder heads are mostly made of aluminum alloy, which is lightweight and has good heat dissipation, but has weak impact resistance and is prone to deformation due to long-term high temperature and high pressure; A small number of diesel engines still use cast iron cylinder heads, which have higher strength and can extend their lifespan by 20% -30%, but have poor heat dissipation. Secondly, the usage environment. Frequent short distance driving can lead to insufficient engine heating, causing water vapor to condense on the surface of the cylinder head and accelerate corrosion; Long term high-speed operation or overload work will keep the cylinder head in a high temperature state, accelerate the aging rate of the sealing gasket, and thus cause leakage problems. In addition, timely maintenance is crucial. Failure to replace engine oil according to regulations can lead to insufficient lubrication and increased wear of valve mechanisms; Lack or deterioration of coolant can cause heat dissipation failure, directly leading to cylinder head cracking.

2、 Key measures to extend the life of cylinder head

In daily use, it is necessary to regularly check the coolant level and quality to ensure the normal operation of the cooling system; Strictly follow the maintenance manual to replace the engine oil and filter element, avoiding impurities from entering the cylinder head oil passage; Avoid adverse operations such as sudden acceleration and prolonged idling when the car is cold, and reduce component impact and corrosion. At the same time, when the vehicle experiences symptoms such as decreased power, abnormal exhaust, coolant leakage, etc., it is necessary to promptly inspect and check whether there are deformation, cracks, and other problems in the cylinder head to avoid minor faults from evolving into irreversible damage. If there is slight deformation in the cylinder head, it can be repaired by milling the flat surface; Once cracking occurs, it is usually necessary to replace the parts with new ones to avoid affecting the overall performance of the engine.