Water radiator is bubbling

Multi-layer stainless steel head gaskets generally don’t fail on their own, it is the cylinder head that warps and gives way and the head gasket is still intact. The old cars used composite head gaskets that could deteriorate with age.

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The symptoms of the only head gasket failure I’ve had in 50 years was lack of heat at idle signifying low coolant or a bubble in the cooling system caused by exhaust gases passing into the coolant. No overheating, just bubbles in the coolant with the cap off. Just my personal experience though.