Which block/gasket sealant is least evil?

[Awox]

Before you spit your beverage on the screen, this is not going into an SVX. My gal pal has a 99 Mazda Protege with big issues. Blown head gasket or a cracked block. There's exhaust gas or oil smoke coming from the radiator, smells terrible, and lots of bubbling in the overflow tank. It all started when the sleazy jackhole who sold it to her left water in the cooling system, no antifreeze. We live in Maine so you can guess what happened....

Anyway, the extent of the damage is unknown, but it's bad, whatever it is.
Not worth extensive repairs, but if we can get some use out of it, not all is lost.

Which block/gasket sealant would you recommend? There's a cheap $25 dollar bottle but I hear it's not as good as the $100 dollar bottle. Never thought of using the stuff for anything, but it seems to be the best option. Opinions?

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by Awox

Before you spit your beverage on the screen, this is not going into an SVX. My gal pal has a 99 Mazda Protege with big issues. Blown head gasket or a cracked block. There's exhaust gas or oil smoke coming from the radiator, smells terrible, and lots of bubbling in the overflow tank. It all started when the sleazy jackhole who sold it to her left water in the cooling system, no antifreeze. We live in Maine so you can guess what happened....

Anyway, the extent of the damage is unknown, but it's bad, whatever it is.
Not worth extensive repairs, but if we can get some use out of it, not all is lost.

Which block/gasket sealant would you recommend? There's a cheap $25 dollar bottle but I hear it's not as good as the $100 dollar bottle. Never thought of using the stuff for anything, but it seems to be the best option. Opinions?

To late!


Milk and Vodka everywhere!



I tried the Blue Devil crap a couple of years ago with a HG in an SVX, and was not impressed.

I MIGHT try a $10.00 bottle of Bar's Leaks Head Gasket Repair.


Back in 1979 or so I used a can of something in a Camero with a HUGE HG leak, and in 5 minutes , running it with the spark plug out, it was sealed.

The Bar's Leaks stuff insists that you drain and flush first, having only clean water in the system, and thats what I had to do back in 79.
It did work.
good luck.

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by Awox

Which block/gasket sealant would you recommend? There's a cheap $25 dollar bottle but I hear it's not as good as the $100 dollar bottle. Never thought of using the stuff for anything, but it seems to be the best option. Opinions?

I tried going the "quik snake oil repair" route when my 96 polo developed a HG leak at 125,000 miles. Didn't work and was flushed out, but the damage had already been done.

Needed to have a rebuilt engine installed with new head gaskets.

I am not a believer in Snake Oil miracle cures and learned this the hard way.

No STP, Slick50 or the like. An occasional Seafoam treatment through the gas line is about it.


Maybe your results will be better.


.

[jeffs92svx]

I used bars leak block and gasket sealer and It worked. I couldnt believe it, It was on a 92 ranger with a 4.0. I blew the head gasket and I never believe in any of those "fixes". But, It was a work truck and I have gotten another 23,000 miles on it. Try it.

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by svxcess

I tried going the "quik snake oil repair" route when my 96 polo developed a HG leak at 125,000 miles. Didn't work and was flushed out, but the damage had already been done.

Needed to have a rebuilt engine installed with new head gaskets.

I am not a believer in Snake Oil miracle cures and learned this the hard way.

No STP, Slick50 or the like. An occasional Seafoam treatment through the gas line is about it.


Maybe your results will be better.


.

I agree with you John, and wasted about $100.00 on Blue Devil on an SVX that you know about, but this is not an SVX, and if it does not work, oh well, $10.00 wasted.

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted by Awox

Before you spit your beverage on the screen, this is not going into an SVX. My gal pal has a 99 Mazda Protege with big issues. Blown head gasket or a cracked block. There's exhaust gas or oil smoke coming from the radiator, smells terrible, and lots of bubbling in the overflow tank. It all started when the sleazy jackhole who sold it to her left water in the cooling system, no antifreeze. We live in Maine so you can guess what happened....

Anyway, the extent of the damage is unknown, but it's bad, whatever it is.
Not worth extensive repairs, but if we can get some use out of it, not all is lost.

Which block/gasket sealant would you recommend? There's a cheap $25 dollar bottle but I hear it's not as good as the $100 dollar bottle. Never thought of using the stuff for anything, but it seems to be the best option. Opinions?

Bring the car to a mechanic and get the issue documented along with the fact that the coolant system had nothing but water. That right there is proof that they knew there was a head gasket problem and tried to cover it up by running 100% water. 100% water will stay cooler longer than 50/50 mix with ethylene glycol. Then take him to small claims court to get your money back. You might need to get the mechanic to testify.

Or you could try the Bars stuff........

[92snowmachine]

one thing that you might consider is "hard blocking". it's a type of cement that you pour into the cooling system, it's mainly used in racing where the car is only run for short periods of time but you can actually drive it some miles before it overheats. the cement has a really high amount of silicone so it has a good heat capacity, have seen it done with cars that drive 20 miles or less at a time. not ideal but cheap to do.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by Huskymaniac

Bring the car to a mechanic and get the issue documented along with the fact that the coolant system had nothing but water. That right there is proof that they knew there was a head gasket problem and tried to cover it up by running 100% water. 100% water will stay cooler longer than 50/50 mix with ethylene glycol. Then take him to small claims court to get your money back. You might need to get the mechanic to testify.

Or you could try the Bars stuff........

If it was sold "as is" it will get thrown out of small claims... or at least should...

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted by 1986nate

If it was sold "as is" it will get thrown out of small claims... or at least should...

I'm not a lawyer and I'm sure it varies from state to state. What would seem logical is that all information provided must be true to the best of the seller's ability and knowledge or the seller is liable regardless of selling the vehicle "as is". For example, if the seller wasn't asked about the A/C and the A/C was dead then the buyer is SOL. Or, if the seller was asked if the tranny was good, he said it was and there is no evidence to prove that he knew otherwise then the buyer is SOL. But if the seller was asked if the car had ever overheated and he said no, I think the buyer may still have a case. Worst case scenario, he sends the seller through legal hell for obviously attempting to cover up an issue. Maybe the seller agrees to negotiate to keep it out of court. Worth a shot........

[immortal_suby]

Running 100% water and removing the thermostat is pretty common down here. Was it a southern car?

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by immortal_suby

Running 100% water and removing the thermostat is pretty common down here. Was it a southern car?

"lick marks on the rear windows."

Please tell me that you have a dog!
Sunday someone asked me how/why there was white fur on the Pearlie ceiling.

[kwren]

Originally Posted by Huskymaniac

Bring the car to a mechanic and get the issue documented along with the fact that the coolant system had nothing but water. That right there is proof that they knew there was a head gasket problem and tried to cover it up by running 100% water. 100% water will stay cooler longer than 50/50 mix with ethylene glycol. Then take him to small claims court to get your money back. You might need to get the mechanic to testify.

Nate is right and also:
The small claims court judge would laugh it out of court because taking it to a mechanic would not prove anything... when water was put in it, or by whom.

Keith