Poss cheaper head gasket fix - fingers crossed!

[Smeg]

Just been chatting with my mechanic about my knackered head gasket. Not had a chance to strip it this week, but has a cheaper possible solution - some sort of leak fixing wonder stuff! Apparently, he knows a guy who's used it to fix a very bad leaky gasket on a Pug diesel engine, that was way worse than mine and has now been in full use for a year with no problems. So, decided to let him try it on mine, as it'll be a hell of alot cheaper than having a new gasket fitted - and I trust him as he's a mate, so not trying it on just to not have to do the job!
Plus, I'll get my baby back on Sunday instead of in a few weeks time!

I'll report back on what the stuff is and how well it appears to work, as it could be useful info for others to either try or not.....

[robnw67]

Cynical

Call me cynical if you like - but it is unlikely to fix the real problem which (knowing the 2.4 head problems) is probably the poorly designed water passages rather than the gasket.

Sounds like trouble to me.

Rob

[Linda]

Just been chatting with my mechanic about my knackered head gasket. Not had a chance to strip it this week, but has a cheaper possible solution - some sort of leak fixing wonder stuff! Apparently, he knows a guy who's used it to fix a very bad leaky gasket on a Pug diesel engine, that was way worse than mine and has now been in full use for a year with no problems. So, decided to let him try it on mine, as it'll be a hell of alot cheaper than having a new gasket fitted - and I trust him as he's a mate, so not trying it on just to not have to do the job!
Plus, I'll get my baby back on Sunday instead of in a few weeks time!

I'll report back on what the stuff is and how well it appears to work, as it could be useful info for others to either try or not.....

I'd be interested to hear the outcome and the name of the product as we've just ordered a similar thing to give it a go. The product (K-Seal we ordered cost £12 and is apparently guaranteed to make a repair that lasts the life of the engine. Probably too good to be true but we wont lose anything in trying.
We'll also post the results!!

[Elvz]

If you use any of these block sealing products make sure you remove the thermostat when you apply them because it will stick shut permanently if you leave it in the engine.

Most of these products work very well and last at least a few months which gives you time to shop around for a new cylinder head (or sell the car to someone)

[mbba]

Just been chatting with my mechanic about my knackered head gasket. Not had a chance to strip it this week, but has a cheaper possible solution - some sort of leak fixing wonder stuff! Apparently, he knows a guy who's used it to fix a very bad leaky gasket on a Pug diesel engine, that was way worse than mine and has now been in full use for a year with no problems. So, decided to let him try it on mine, as it'll be a hell of alot cheaper than having a new gasket fitted - and I trust him as he's a mate, so not trying it on just to not have to do the job!
Plus, I'll get my baby back on Sunday instead of in a few weeks time!

I'll report back on what the stuff is and how well it appears to work, as it could be useful info for others to either try or not.....

Not a bad idea since u may gain but not loose.
i think i am gonna try it because it also seals any leak in the rad

[Pete]

If you use any of these block sealing products make sure you remove the thermostat when you apply them because it will stick shut permanently if you leave it in the engine.

Most of these products work very well and last at least a few months which gives you time to shop around for a new cylinder head (or sell the car to someone)

It's probably the same stuff the Japs use before they send them over here.
Pete

[matt steds]

that stuff does the trick for about 10k bear in mind it is probably already in the system and putting more in rather than fixing it may make the prblem worse

[South east modifications]

my experience of this stuff is mixed thoughts,,, yes it does work and sometimes is more of a permanent fix than you would think,,,

but.... it also seals up any small water ways and has a tendency of stopping heater matrix's from working at all..

now with the already known problem of these vehicles having enough problem keeping cool on partially blocked rads im sure block seal aint the right direction to go...

[South east modifications]

just a thought for you tho if its just a leaking pipe or rad to fix ,, rather than using the very harsh block seal i would recommend "cellit" which can be bought from most car shops and i have used it and find it very very good ,,, so good that jaguar use it in a routine service on cars older than 60k to stop any future leaks,,,

it works on the basis that its a aluminimum flakes powder and when in the water system just flows with the water but when a leak occurs it follows the water out and with the heat of the water it bonds together in the leak and seals.. it has unlike the other stuff on the market bonding products in it so cant cause too much problems to rads and matrix systems...

once again not the right way to repair but does work with less side affects than other products..

[Smeg]

Well, it's in, and working, so far I'm quids in on having a new head / gasket.

Linda - K-seal is the stuff that's gone in mine too.

So far, driven around town a bit in the blistering heat and then the 200miles back to Manc. All seems well. I shall keep a daily eye in the coolant level to see if it stays though...

Each day is a 53mile trek (twice) for my Surf, so I'll be adding the mileage to it fairly quickly, and in 4 weeks it's gotta make Scotland carrying a small load, so I'll report back if there's any negative goings on....

The leaflet that comes with it says "guaranteed to last for the life of your engine" and the only smallprint specifies that it must be left in the coolant, replaced at each coolant change and does not include hoses. So, if it starts to leak again, I guess I just call them up and they'll sort it out for me....
www.kalimex.co.uk are the suppliers.

Geoff.

[Linda]

that stuff does the trick for about 10k bear in mind it is probably already in the system and putting more in rather than fixing it may make the prblem worse

We bought the surf with the head already like a tea bag, and we have a V8 to go in it eventually, so to be honest, if we can get another 10k out of this engine, whilst we do the suspension mods, we'll be more than happy. If it doesnt work we'll just have to do the engine swap earlier.

Not saying it would be the answer for everyone, but we'll let you know how we get on.

[Lupine]

K-Seal or Seal up?

I'm going to give it a try as well...

It may be a temporary fix and definately sounds too good to be true but £12 (inc p&p) is a dammned sight easier loss than the thought of a new head!!

but talking to the guy at Kalimex, for the extra effort of draining the cooling system, Seal up sounds the better choice. This stuff has come over from the States, where it has an incredible record at permanently plugging blown head gaskets... He reckons you can always add the K-Seal solution once the Seal up has set (same price anyway).

I too shall let you know when the whole thing blows up in my face...

[molrams]

Will it Work ?

I've got oil in my coolant (Header bottle filled with white greasy stuff). I assume this is a leak in my head gasket between an oil and coolant channel. Thewre is no evidence of coolant in the oil. Do these products only seal coolant leaks to the outside world or do they work inter channel ?

I have budgeted for a head off gasket change but this seems the cheaper option for now !!!!

[Smeg]

According to their info it seals cracks in the engine block and head. It's supposed to "find" low pressure areas caused by leaks and deposits the necessary stuff to do the repair. (Being a chemist I can figure out that what it's supposed to do is feasable, but they just word it very basically!).

I'm not mechanically minded, so can't comment on the oil in coolant but no coolant in oil scenario, but I had neither even though the head gasket was definately fubarred (the bubbles on the outside of the engine kinda gave it away!) and it seems to have cured that.

hth,
Geoff.

[snowwolf]

sealant

Well after reading the right ups on this sealant, it does sound very good, I will going to collect my bottle from the shop tomorrow as I am down that way, at the moment I have had no probs with head probs on my 92 surf, but it's always in the back of your mind that its gonna crack one day.