Engine
Cylinder head
Closes the top of the cylinder and houses the valves and combustion chamber (4-stroke).
How it works
The cylinder head caps the cylinder: it contains the combustion chamber, the valves, the intake/exhaust ports, and often the camshaft. Its sealing relies on the head gasket. A burnt valve or a leaking head gasket leads to loss of compression, overheating, or smoke.
Maintenance tips
- Respect torque specs on reassembly.
- Watch for oil mixing with coolant, a sign of a head gasket problem.
Related symptoms
⚠️ The information on this page is provided for educational purposes to help you understand the role and operation of the part. It replaces neither a physical inspection nor the judgment of a certified mechanic. Before any work on a safety-critical component (braking, steering, transmission, suspension), have the part's condition confirmed by a professional.