steaming 3rd gen

[soramad]

I have been losing coolant over the past few months, truck running ok with no starting difficulties until yesterday turned key ,nothing after 3rd time engine bursts into life along with a great cloud of white smoke from the exhaust which continued for some time then cleared , oh s--t I thought the dreaded cracked head, popped down my local garage who look after all my vehicles and its more or less confirmed that there is a problem head or gasket. So Nick the owner says pop next door to APD and try some Steel Seal (£29.99) so armed with a bottle of green liquid and sticking to the instructions gave it a try, 3 hrs later I'm driving down the road no white smoke on start up or while driving and very little dark smoke , I couldn't believe that a bottle of green liquid could make so much difference. I went over to Chipping Campden about 25 miles and back all ok. The front label reads "permanently seals blown head gaskets, warped heads & cracked engine blocks" I have since noticed that 1 bottle should be used for engines below 2 litres, 2 bottles over 2 litres and 3 bottles over 4 litres, so might get another bottle to pop in just to be on the safe side , but it sure does what is says on the bottle. So far !!!

[shokenore]

Oh dear.
Keep an eye on it .

[andyverran]

Good luck!

[Baldrick]

I'm always very reluctant to use such sealers as i all ways wonder what else they're sealing up that doesn't want to be sealed or blocked up.

[shokenore]

I have used them before on other vehicles when I was in a rush/didn't care, was going to be scrapping or rebuilding.

Rad weld in a Datsun 120Y aeons ago till I could get a new rad.That seemed to work for a while, well at last till the rad was fitted.

It is a keenly debated topic on here, with both sides giving cogent arguments.

Would a buy a vehicle that had it, not knowingly put it that way.

[BUSHWHACKER]

I'm always very reluctant to use such sealers as i all ways wonder what else they're sealing up that doesn't want to be sealed or blocked up.

Exactly.
I may work now, and might go on working for a few thousand miles, but it'll be a complete engine replacement instead of just the head when it other cracks eventually appear or overheating due to blocked waterways.

I'd love to know how it seals a warped head without sealing up small holes in the head/block at the same time.

[Nick V]

A quote from another forum:

"Steel seal forms an epoxy type goo.When I used it as per instructions ie warm up for an hour it almost completely blocked the passage of water to the cylinder head.As it sticks to the hottest parts.It did not seal my headgasket however.
On removing the head I then had to flush and scrape the stuff out of the water galleries it also blocked the thermostat.

I think the stuff is useless and would never use it again.

However I know someone who used it on a Grand cheroke and supposedly it worked he did sell the car shortly after however....."

Similar posts on other forums, but there are some that are positive!

Personally, I'd steer well clear

[shokenore]

Exactly.
I may work now, and might go on working for a few thousand miles, but it'll be a complete engine replacement instead of just the head when it other cracks eventually appear or overheating due to blocked waterways.

I'd love to know how it seals a warped head without sealing up small holes in the head/block at the same time.

Because it's magic and it knows what are holes and what are critical cooling pathways.
I think it says so on the tin.

Have a look here.
Ps He does use one or two choice words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P0EFz7NP6c

[soramad]

Exactly.
I may work now, and might go on working for a few thousand miles, but it'll be a complete engine replacement instead of just the head when it other cracks eventually appear or overheating due to blocked waterways.

I'd love to know how it seals a warped head without sealing up small holes in the head/block at the same time.

With all due respects , I would have thought that the equivalent 50 mile run after using the product would have shown up any blocked water ways especially as I don't tootle about at 50 mph on the open road.

[shokenore]

With all due respects , I would have thought that the equivalent 50 mile run after using the product would have shown up any blocked water ways especially as I don't tootle about at 50 mph on the open road.

Maybe?
But TBH who actually knows.
Time will tell.
Once that stuff is in you ain't gonna get it out.

You know your motor and you have weighed up the pros and cons.
After all it is very much your choice.

I hope it works out ok for you.

[Yorkshire Devil]

I have been losing coolant over the past few months, truck running ok with no starting difficulties until yesterday turned key ,nothing after 3rd time engine bursts into life along with a great cloud of white smoke from the exhaust which continued for some time then cleared , oh s--t I thought the dreaded cracked head, popped down my local garage who look after all my vehicles and its more or less confirmed that there is a problem head or gasket. So Nick the owner says pop next door to APD and try some Steel Seal (£29.99) so armed with a bottle of green liquid and sticking to the instructions gave it a try, 3 hrs later I'm driving down the road no white smoke on start up or while driving and very little dark smoke , I couldn't believe that a bottle of green liquid could make so much difference. I went over to Chipping Campden about 25 miles and back all ok. The front label reads "permanently seals blown head gaskets, warped heads & cracked engine blocks" I have since noticed that 1 bottle should be used for engines below 2 litres, 2 bottles over 2 litres and 3 bottles over 4 litres, so might get another bottle to pop in just to be on the safe side , but it sure does what is says on the bottle. So far !!!

At nearly £30 a bottle if you chuck 3 bottles in you've paid a fair chunk of garage labour in getting the head gasket changed or bought a new radiator!

[andyverran]

With cylinder heads at £1000 I think £30 not so bad...if it lasts 6 months....

[Yorkshire Devil]

Cylinder Head

As Vince Says what about when it fooks the engine it's more than a 1000 you have to worry about

[andyverran]

As Vince Says what about when it fooks the engine it's more than a 1000 you have to worry about

IF....and if the engine and truck are worth fixing...speaking for myself, my whole truck isn't worth the cost of a cylinder head...

[soramad]

IF....and if the engine and truck are worth fixing...speaking for myself, my whole truck isn't worth the cost of a cylinder head...

My thoughts exactly, I bought my surf to lug my carpentry kit around (and there is a lot of it) also to make being mobile during the winter months more likely, I can honestly say it is probably the best work horse I have ever owned, but that is what it is, a means to an end , its earnt the money I paid for it many times over and as I am 70 now if/when it finally comes to a stand still both of us will retire with honour.