blown head gasket

ethan_lanning · Post by **ethan_lanning** » November 27, 2007, 8:49 am

does any on know if the liquid stuff that you pour into the motor works?
or is there something you can recomend other than changing the head gasket?

GLindley · Post by **GLindley** » November 27, 2007, 9:11 am

I'm only 1/100th of the gear head most of the guys on here are, but something as serious as a blown head gasket, I would be inclined to bite the bullet and change the gasket ASAP!

racerx1699 · Post by **racerx1699** » November 27, 2007, 9:41 am

Barr's Leak makes a product that's suppost to be good for a blown head gasket, BUT I would never go that way. If this is a vechical your going to keep I would recommend replacing the gasket.

Ford4jack · Post by **Ford4jack** » November 27, 2007, 10:01 am

I would wonder what else was being sealed up with the sealer in a can.
It would be best to open it up and find out why it happened in my opinion.

ethan_lanning · Post by **ethan_lanning** » November 27, 2007, 11:39 am

well as much as I hate to say it I will probably go ahead and just change the head gasket.
.thanks for your opinions.

Garbz · Post by **Garbz** » November 27, 2007, 11:43 am

Barrs leak? for a bad head gasket?

Man can i sell you guys some snake oil or stock in the brooklyn bridge....I have a few liberty dollars left too....

Bad head gasket dictates a tear down and repair. It will only get worse.

Barrs leak was the old days of low pressure coolant systems.

Garbz

Motocentro · Post by **Motocentro** » November 27, 2007, 11:56 am

FWIW there are many problems that are a lot worse than a blown HG. IT's just all the crap that you have to remove that is so bad - But it's still better than the new stuff (modern engines), right?

They are cheap, and as long as you have a good torque wrench you know you can knock it out in an afternoon - just don't drink so much beer that you forget to re-install something or put something in backwards (much easier to do than it sounds, right?).

Hopefully everything underneath is still tit when you get there. . .oh my memories of those moments of horrid realization when you see a piston with a crack or some god-awful scar down the side of a cylinder wall.

Good luck!

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » November 27, 2007, 12:35 pm

I've gotta go with Garbz on the Bars leak thing...that stuff's only good for plugging up your radiator, heater core & leaving mystery sludge in the bottom of your block.
Aluma seal ain't much better.

I've never been a fan of any of the 'mechanic in a can' crap. You'll be better in the long run by doing what you're doing & fixing it the right way. :thumright:

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 27, 2007, 12:41 pm

i certainly would not attempt it.

bars leak works on small leaks in the radiator ,depending on which kind you buy but thats it.

bertha66 · Post by **bertha66** » November 27, 2007, 1:49 pm

I have used what my Father called "Water Glass", sodium silacate, not sure of the spelling. You get it a the pharmacy. My Father-in-law got away using it on a 91 Areostar for @ 50,000 miles. I used it in demo cars, but I would not use it for a truck for the long term. With a head gasket it is aways best to fix it, but sometimes ya just have to get them home.

Post by **Greg D** » November 27, 2007, 4:49 pm

There is some stuff out there called Block Sealer. You have to flush the system pour the stuff in with water and run it to temperature. Drain the system, let it dry over night. Reflush the system, refill with antifreeze. After all that crap it is still a temporary bandaid at best.
Change the head gasket, partially because you will want to check for any further damage while you are in there. I have seen the coolant spray cut a groove in a block after a gasket let go. Not trying to borrow you more trouble though.

6166 Junkyard Dog · Post by **6166 Junkyard Dog** » November 28, 2007, 8:15 am

some of these ideas sound good but not only might stop the leak but also stop up the heater core as well,, have seen many heater cores stopped up....

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » November 28, 2007, 11:31 am

Bars Leak, K&W Coppercoat and others will stop up everything. Think about it. If it's good enough to stop a head gasket leak, it could also stop up the water passages between the head and block. Got to go with Garbz on this one (and most others for that matter).
Good luck.