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Old 11-04-2009, 10:12 PM   #1
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Blown head gasket fix

I have a truck (non s-10) and we have reasonable suspension that the head gasket may be blown. I dont need to put any more money into the truck than I have to, so I am going to try a "stop leak" type product. Can anyone recommend a good product to me. Whats the best? Which ones should I stay away from?

:ISCLAIMER:: I know putting stop leak in is not a quality repair and is not the "right way" to do it. I understand that this is a ghetto way to fix the truck in question; therefore, I dont need anyone pointing any of this already known information out to me. Thanks in advance.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:16 PM   #2
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
I have a truck (non s-10) and we have reasonable suspension that the head gasket may be blown. I dont need to put any more money into the truck than I have to, so I am going to try a "stop leak" type product. Can anyone recommend a good product to me. Whats the best? Which ones should I stay away from?

:ISCLAIMER:: I know putting stop leak in is not a quality repair and is not the "right way" to do it. I understand that this is a ghetto way to fix the truck in question; therefore, I dont need anyone pointing any of this already known information out to me. Thanks in advance.
reasonable suspicion.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:19 PM   #3
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

fvck it man, try it and see if the coolant still blows by

i've got a feeling you're probably out of luck though, once a head gasket blows it's pretty much a done deal until it's changed out

Last edited by sadexcuse4s10 : 11-04-2009 at 10:20 PM.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:20 PM   #4
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

lol
Old 11-04-2009, 10:21 PM   #5
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

no..bad...
Old 11-04-2009, 10:27 PM   #6
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by 702s10
reasonable suspicion.

Damn spell check messed me up, lol
Old 11-04-2009, 10:28 PM   #7
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by sadexcuse4s10
fvck it man, try it and see if the coolant still blows by

i've got a feeling you're probably out of luck though, once a head gasket blows it's pretty much a done deal until it's changed out
I paid 1k for a 6k truck. I sold it for 2k, and am not putting new gaskets on it.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:30 PM   #8
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

in what way is it blown? if its leaking coolant into the cylinder and burning it then i can recommend a product to fix it,but thats the only situation in which it works.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:36 PM   #9
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by dimerunner88
in what way is it blown? if its leaking coolant into the cylinder and burning it then i can recommend a product to fix it,but thats the only situation in which it works.

coolant level slowly drops over time, white smoke from exhaust, sluggish acceleration after it warms up. No oil in water or water in oil.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:41 PM   #10
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
coolant level slowly drops over time, white smoke from exhaust, sluggish acceleration after it warms up. No oil in water or water in oil.
ok then, heres the website. http://www.steelseal.com/ its always worked for me,the only problem is that once its used and if you do eventually have to pull the head it'll be hell to clean.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:45 PM   #11
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by dimerunner88
ok then, heres the website. http://www.steelseal.com/ its always worked for me,the only problem is that once its used and if you do eventually have to pull the head it'll be hell to clean.

Wow, LMAO..... I have been watching the video on their site for the past few miniutes waiting for you to reply. Where can you get it other than the website?

Also, it says to hold the RPM's at 1000 for 60 min, I assume that would be about idle for most vehicles, but what if its not?

Last edited by Futuresweets10 : 11-04-2009 at 10:47 PM.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:51 PM   #12
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Its a tiny crack in between the exhaust valve and the head gasket (reason for the smoke/moisture out the tail pipe). I paid a friend mechanic to do one on my old toyota work truck for $400. Good as new and done in a day. $400 to a buddy mechanic in a day is worth it. You gotta know someone. Ask around, dont do it ghetto. Do it right.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:54 PM   #13
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
Wow, LMAO..... I have been watching the video on their site for the past few miniutes waiting for you to reply. Where can you get it other than the website?

Also, it says to hold the RPM's at 1000 for 60 min, I assume that would be about idle for most vehicles, but what if its not?
its only available on the website as far as i know,i usually just sit in he car and hold it at the recommended rpm(used to be 1500) for the specified time.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:56 PM   #14
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by jakefiddlesticks
Its a tiny crack in between the exhaust valve and the head gasket (reason for the smoke/moisture out the tail pipe). I paid a friend mechanic to do one on my old toyota work truck for $400. Good as new and done in a day. $400 to a buddy mechanic in a day is worth it. You gotta know someone. Ask around, dont do it ghetto. Do it right.

I could do the gaskets myself, but its a V8 and its a PITA to get to them. By the time I spend my time on it and spend the money on the gaskets and other parts I dont know that its worth it. Its either pour snake oil in the radiator or sell it like it sits.
Old 11-04-2009, 10:57 PM   #15
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10

Also, it says to hold the RPM's at 1000 for 60 min, I assume that would be about idle for most vehicles, but what if its not?

break out your mp3 player and a book and just sit. . .that or wedge the gas pedal down and leave it in park. . .not the safest, so if you go that route, keep a camera on it so we all get video if something goes horribly wrong
Old 11-04-2009, 11:00 PM   #16
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
I could do the gaskets myself, but its a V8 and its a PITA to get to them. By the time I spend my time on it and spend the money on the gaskets and other parts I dont know that its worth it. Its either pour snake oil in the radiator or sell it like it sits.
its not snake oil,i've used it on customers cars(they only paid for the product and an hour of my time not a whole head job) and it works 100% of the time aslong as its burning the coolant before the repair. we used it mainly on OHC engines that would require days of labor to fix the gaskets.
Old 11-04-2009, 11:00 PM   #17
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by rmoore911
break out your mp3 player and a book and just sit. . .that or wedge the gas pedal down and leave it in park. . .not the safest, so if you go that route, keep a camera on it so we all get video if something goes horribly wrong
Um,why would I need an MP3 player in a running vehicle, lol
Old 11-04-2009, 11:01 PM   #18
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by dimerunner88
its not snake oil,i've used it on customers cars(they only paid for the product and an hour of my time not a whole head job) and it works 100% of the time aslong as its burning the coolant before the repair. we used it mainly on OHC engines that would require days of labor to fix the gaskets.

97 F-150, should I be fine on that.... Also, why do they have different products for 4 6 and 8 cylinder?
Old 11-04-2009, 11:02 PM   #19
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
97 F-150, should I be fine on that.... Also, why do they have different products for 4 6 and 8 cylinder?
its the same thing just different quantities
Old 11-04-2009, 11:03 PM   #20
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
I could do the gaskets myself, but its a V8 and its a PITA to get to them. By the time I spend my time on it and spend the money on the gaskets and other parts I dont know that its worth it. Its either pour snake oil in the radiator or sell it like it sits.

If your not gonna do it right, just ditch it and let someone else do the damn thing. I would hate to buy a rig with that crap that someone dumped in it. My name is Earl. Karma list. lol.
Old 11-04-2009, 11:30 PM   #21
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
Um,why would I need an MP3 player in a running vehicle, lol

good point. . .
Old 11-05-2009, 01:25 AM   #22
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

I think I'm going to try this in my Moms Kia Sportage. Thanks Dimerunner!
Old 11-05-2009, 01:28 AM   #23
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by The Blown Blazer
I think I'm going to try this in my Moms Kia Sportage. Thanks Dimerunner!
welcome, i'm usually all for fixing things correctly with new gaskets but sometimes the cost to do it correctly is more than what the car owner can afford (plus i hate hate hate OHC timing)
Old 11-05-2009, 01:34 AM   #24
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by dimerunner88
welcome, i'm usually all for fixing things correctly with new gaskets but sometimes the cost to do it correctly is more than what the car owner can afford (plus i hate hate hate OHC timing)
My exact reasoning for not doing it. The car is a POS anyways and my mom just graduated in the summer with her bachelors so it's ****in gone when she gets a job. It only has to last a few months, and even though its my mom..... I don't want to do it.

Its smoking a bit and has no power. I hope it works!
Old 11-05-2009, 01:37 AM   #25
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

yeah, it should work i've used it on four cars and they're still going today.
Old 11-05-2009, 01:42 AM   #26
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Any sorta tips from someone who's used it before?
Old 11-05-2009, 01:44 AM   #27
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

And do you really have to disconnect the plug from the cylinder thats leaking?
Old 11-05-2009, 01:47 AM   #28
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by The Blown Blazer
Any sorta tips from someone who's used it before?
not really,just follow the directions on the bottle. you have to add it directly to the radiator,i usually pulled the top hose and drained some coolant out and poured the steel seal in. then you just run it at 1000 or so rpm's for an hour with the heat on full blast then turn it off and let it sit overnight.
Old 11-05-2009, 01:48 AM   #29
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by The Blown Blazer
And do you really have to disconnect the plug from the cylinder thats leaking?
only if its hydro-locked and thats only to remove the coolant. once the steel seals in you just run it (on all cylinders) and let it seal the leak.
Old 11-05-2009, 01:51 AM   #30
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by dimerunner88
only if its hydro-locked and thats only to remove the coolant. once the steel seals in you just run it (on all cylinders) and let it seal the leak.

Ohh derr ok that makes sense. lol.

I'm ordering this shit tomorrow. I'll report back! And maybe make a video.
Old 11-05-2009, 07:57 AM   #31
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

WOW, Im glad my thread could help someone else too.... lol.... Im debating on weather or not I want to spring for the steel seal or just get the cheap crap at the parts store....
Old 11-05-2009, 10:39 PM   #32
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Re: Blown head gasket fix

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
WOW, Im glad my thread could help someone else too.... lol.... Im debating on weather or not I want to spring for the steel seal or just get the cheap crap at the parts store....
i wouldn't go with the cheap crap,it'll probably be like a radiator stop leak type of product that can clog the heater core and other small passages.



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