Coolant Additive to fix Cracked Heads/Blown Head Gaskets

Rollux · Post by **Rollux** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:56 pm

Ok, so my 2LT has a cracked head, altho it is not using water. According to DSL, 3 cylinders are leaking into the coolant. And looking at the leakdown results, I'd say they are right. (31%, 33%,39%, 21%)
Now, I'm not a big fan of additives, and I think that 95% of them are crap (and I'm in the auto industry). However, I was searching on the net for an alternative to replacing the head (welding it up etc) when I came across a site that claimed to have a product that permanently fixes small cracks from the combustion chamber to the coolant circuit only. Got me interested, so I did a bit of research and even rang them to discuss the product.
To cut a long story short, I ordered a bottle and will do it this weekend (quite a lenghty procedure to do) and see how it goes. Thought there might be a few more interested in it if it works.
I'm not pinning my hopes on it, but at 3% of the cost to do a head, it's not a major if it doesn't work.

Steve_t647 · Post by **Steve_t647** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:24 pm

I wouldn't trust it, most additives end up blocking the radiator or give a false sence of security and fail you right when you cant afford it (middle of a river etc).

As a temporary measure it may work till you get funds to replace but just me I have had 2 radiators go when offroad and both in places really hard to get out of, one the egg trick worked (raw egg) and it held water to get me back home the other nope nothing would hold the pressure.

Good luck with it tho, but 90% of 2lt and 3l's will have cracks in their heads (according to toyota) it is only an issue when they get too big.

kaney · Post by **kaney** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:26 pm

chemweld? it works for small cracks but doesnt last that long...about long enough to sell the truck

or too find a 5m :twisted:

safangari · Post by **safangari** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:35 pm

I have a Toyota Corolla with a 1C diesel. About a year to 18 months ago it started running hot in town; it eventuated that it was leaking coolant out of the corner of the head. I'd have had no reservations spending $1000 doing a head gasket, it is such a great car. I used a metallic sealant which to 24hrs to work, but it served me long and hard thereafter.
I loaned the little diesel to my son of a bitch cousin last month and he brought it back with a blown head gasket. I can't blame him because I'd only done a temporary fix, but I was really happy with the result I got from a $30 product. He's a son of a bitch regardless.
I'll probably try another again next week, and if it doesn't work,what's $30? Time to drop another engine in.

Rollux · Post by **Rollux** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:02 pm

kaney wrote:chemweld? it works for small cracks but doesnt last that long...about long enough to sell the truck or too find a 5m

No, not chemweld, heard that it doesn't work very well. It's a product called steel seal. I'll find out how well it works and let y'all know.

As far as blocking the rad, it supposedly only works at the site of the crack as it requires the heat and by products of the combustion gases to react, so theoretically will just circulate unreactively in the rest of the circuit.

But hey, these are all claims which I'll verify when i do it.

adogg · Post by **adogg** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:08 pm

someone will tell me im wrong, but 2lt`s are always gunna crack heads,they were never designed for our market and the abuse we dish at them,1kz`s have the same problem but its due to an undersize radiator and bad auto trans cooler placement,(autos anyway)
just my 2c anyways
:wink:

Adogg
(chief head replacer, Taupo Toyota)

Rollux · Post by **Rollux** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:12 pm

I know, that's why I can't see the point in replacing it, cause it's gonna do it again anyway

adogg · Post by **adogg** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:31 pm

i wonder if anyone on the board has any success with the aftermarket heads you see on trade me and the likes, at least they give a 12 month warranty? which is more than Mr Toyota will give ya

,other wise its repower time :twisted:

kaney · Post by **kaney** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:44 pm

a couple of repower options

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Toyota/Engines-drive-trains/auction-109586198.htm?p=4

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Toyota/Engines-drive-trains/auction-109001751.htm?p=46

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:15 pm

Last time I bought a head, Toyota genuine was cheapest at $900

adogg · Post by **adogg** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:45 pm

wjw wrote:Last time I bought a head, Toyota genuine was cheapest at $900

you dont wanna know what i can buy them for :shock:

and i wont tell ya! they got a whole pallet of them at toyota nz in palmy,what does that tell ya!!

Armourguard · Post by **Armourguard** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:14 pm

I used Irontite on my old 2LT Hilux :lol:

man it ran better than it ever did :shock:

so decided to sell it :oops:

but the guy i sold it to just over a year ago says it still runs like a dream

Go figure

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:05 pm

Has anyone used that motorup stuff you see on the TV ads...

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:14 am

adogg wrote:
wjw wrote:Last time I bought a head, Toyota genuine was cheapest at $900

you dont wanna know what i can buy them for and i wont tell ya! they got a whole pallet of them at toyota nz in palmy,what does that tell ya!!

When mine went on the replacement motor, I went petrol!

adogg · Post by **adogg** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:58 pm

wjw wrote:
adogg wrote:
wjw wrote:Last time I bought a head, Toyota genuine was cheapest at $900

you dont wanna know what i can buy them for and i wont tell ya! they got a whole pallet of them at toyota nz in palmy,what does that tell ya!!

When mine went on the replacement motor, I went petrol!

good move!! other than the odd v6 surf & camry head job,toyotas petrol engines are pretty unbreakable

michaelmohr · Post by **michaelmohr** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:09 pm

Hi, read your thread and wanna ask for some advice:

My 1984 2l Petrol (3Y Engine) ran with little coolant for a while cause the radiator cap wasn't tight hence loosing liquid. today now as I opened the oil filler cap I noticed some watery goo in the cap. I've not found any oil in the coolant or water along the dipstick. But could it be that while running low on coolant the engine got too hot and burned the gasket/seal???
I'm afraid so, eh? How can I check this is really so?
If so, can I just replace the gasket or will I HAVE TO get a new head as well?
What was the result on this "Steel Seal" stuff?

Where can I buy it, if it's an option for me?

Cheers for the beers,

Michael

safangari · Post by **safangari** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:35 pm

Take it to a garage and have them check if the radiator is pressurising; that is, if the exhaust gas is corrupting the coolant. If you do have to do the head gasket, it should be relatively easy because ther's no cambelt on the Y series.

I took my little diesel to a mate who is a diesel mechanic. He reckoned $600 would be a good price for him to do the head gasket on my daily driver. I summed up some courage and sucessfully did the job myself, learning a whole heap, enjoying myself and meeting a couple of blokes who were only too happy to give advice.

ONCE I HAD THE HEAD APART THE EFFECT OF THE SEALANT I HAD PUT IN HOWEVER MANY MONTHS EARLIER WAS EVIDENT. SEVERAL WATER JOURNALS WERE COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY THE PRODUCT.

Its a cheap fix, got me around for ages longer and delayed the job, but ultimately is just a patch.

I'm lucky the head didn't warp, the second time the gasket blew considering the blocked water journals.

Doing the job properly gave me piece of mind.

Just a note: Howard from Dunedin Engine Reconditioning showed me where the gasket had blown and said it was a common fault with the gaskets used on that particular motor. He specified torque to yield bolts and a laminated gasket for my situation. Worked a treat.

There may be a common problem with your engine thats easily identifiable and will let you know exactly where you're at with little examination, so talk to someone in the know.

safangari · Post by **safangari** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:44 pm

You may just need to replace the radiator cap.

SupraLux · Post by **SupraLux** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:26 pm

It could just be condensation in the rocker cover - common in cold climates or where you are doing short-hop runs in the vehicle... probably nothing to worry about but get it checked...

Steve

michaelmohr wrote:Hi, read your thread and wanna ask for some advice:

My 1984 2l Petrol (3Y Engine) ran with little coolant for a while cause the radiator cap wasn't tight hence loosing liquid. today now as I opened the oil filler cap I noticed some watery goo in the cap. I've not found any oil in the coolant or water along the dipstick. But could it be that while running low on coolant the engine got too hot and burned the gasket/seal???
I'm afraid so, eh? How can I check this is really so?
If so, can I just replace the gasket or will I HAVE TO get a new head as well?
What was the result on this "Steel Seal" stuff?

Where can I buy it, if it's an option for me?

Cheers for the beers,

Michael

Coolant Additive to fix Cracked Heads/Blown Head Gaskets

Would you use an additive to fix a head/gasket?

Coolant Additive to fix Cracked Heads/Blown Head Gaskets

2lt

tm

84 2l petrol blown gasket???

Re: 84 2l petrol blown gasket???