head gasket sealer in a bottle

I've used it on my old S10 to help with a radiator leak. It works but definitely makes a mess. Coolant looks muddy.

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There are some other special head gasket sealant products. All are a bit pricey $50 or so. Was called Steel Seal.
If your going to swap the engine anyway you have little to lose.
One other thing you might try, is to tighten the head bolts 1/4 or 1/2 turn. Maybe the extra clamping force will seal it up.


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I have heard many people swear by a product called Liquid Glass for this purpose—-the active ingredient is Sodium Silicate. You’ve got nothing to lose, go for it.

 

@Joele3 i believe used KSeal woth good results.

Think he has over 15k miles since the addition.

 

Well, if you are going to change the engine ...I guess there is little risk.

FWIW I wouldn't use it if I was keeping the car because what ever this product is it will
also get into the valve seats, spark plugs, exhaust system, oil system and perhaps
even into the coolant system if there is a leak in addition to its purpose of sealing a
gap between the top of the cylinder and the head.

Decades ago I used Bars Leak for a radiator leak and it damaged the water pump
bearings necessitating replacement. Thermostat and coolant passages issues are
more than likely an issue too with these type of radiator leak additives. Yes it
worked to plug the leak...as an on the road emergency product IMO

 

Every fiber in my body says don't do it!

Meh, go for it.

 

What happened to the pump? Start leaking? Lot of miles on it? It definitely makes a mess of the cooling system.

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Hi Audio,

Was a long time ago...Chevy 283, chrome valve covers , glass packs and all....maybe year 1969?
My recollection is not so clear other than having to replace the pump after
the Bars Leak application.
Just don't recall if the pump bearing seized, was a noise or a leak?
I do seem to recall the failure was fairly quick (weeks) after the application.
I can't even recall if the rad leak started at a tank seam or a rock penetration
to a tube.

Also don't clearly recall what the coolant looked like after using Bars,
so I would just be guessing as to grit and color....yet that's my guess grit & color
were not good.

Therefore, my trend to never recommend that Bar's additive.
It was my take at the time the failure was due to this product...not pump age.

At the time, I recall the Bars was in a film canister sized container and was a silver
colored flake.
I am not sure of the product's current evolution.

So long ago, so many cars ago Audio.
I would say to use Bars as a true emergency road repair.

 

Somewhat comparable to using stop-leak in a tire? Fine, as long you're planning to throw away the tire, and the rim...

 

And the radiator, and the heater core. That stuff typically clogs everything