The cylinder head is cast from aluminum alloy. It provides channels for the circulation of coolant, oil, air necessary for the combustion of fuel, exhaust gases. Glow plugs, fuel injection nozzles, prechambers, valve springs and valve lifters are installed in the cylinder head. The camshaft is also installed in the cylinder head. The intake and exhaust manifolds are mounted on the outside of the cylinder head. For better filling of the cylinders, the air channels are made on one side of the block head, and for the exhaust gases on the other.
The cylinder head also houses sensors that perform various engine control functions.
Since the cylinder head is made of aluminum alloy, it is easy to deform if, for example, the sequence of loosening or tightening the head bolts is not followed. It is not allowed to remove the cylinder head on a hot engine.
It is almost impossible to check the health of the cylinder head mounted on the engine. It may happen that the cylinder head gasket has burned out. A preliminary check can be carried out after removing the plug from the radiator expansion tank. If air bubbles are visible in the reservoir while the engine is running, it can be assumed that the cylinder head gasket has burned out. Other symptoms of a burnt gasket are white smoke from the exhaust, traces of oil in the coolant, or water in the oil. The presence of water in the oil can be checked by pulling the oil dipstick out of the engine. If the oil on the dipstick has a white or gray tint, then it can be assumed that the cylinder head gasket is damaged.
If you are sure that coolant has penetrated into the engine cylinders, and the car needs to be driven to a parking lot or to another place, then you should unscrew the nozzles and turn the engine over using the starter. So you can clean the cylinders of accumulated fluid. After that, install the nozzles in their places, start the engine and drive to your destination without stopping the engine. This is the only way to prevent serious damage to the crank mechanism (e.g. deformation of connecting rods).