What's the best head gasket sealer?
#1
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 What's the best head gasket sealer?
Looking for opinions on the longest-lasting head gasket repair for a slow coolant seep into a cylinder. K&W seems popular but I get the feeling that more expensive ones like Steel Seal might work better.
Also- Can a "stays-in-the-coolant" be used to prevent the failure of an "add-and-flush" repair? (Like if it's added the day after the "add-and-flush" repair is complete?)
Also- Can a "stays-in-the-coolant" be used to prevent the failure of an "add-and-flush" repair? (Like if it's added the day after the "add-and-flush" repair is complete?)
#4
....
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
^ ditto
Unless your planning on junking your car in the next year. All those 'stuff in a can' are just band aid solutions. Fix it properly.
Unless your planning on junking your car in the next year. All those 'stuff in a can' are just band aid solutions. Fix it properly.
#5
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
So my plan is to apply the sealer with the thermostat removed and the heater core bypassed in order to minimize damage, and hope it lasts me into the summer. But if you think I'll get better results by doing nothing at all then I want to hear about it.
Otherwise my question remains: Do some sealers that last longer than others? And I'll add this one too: Do some sealers do less damage than others?
#6
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Rep Power: 229 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
ALL of that stuff clogs EVERYTHING in your coolant system with black/brown gunk. I doubt anything is going to last till summer except a new headgasket. I know this is not what you want to hear but its true..
Putting that stuff in will make it harder to sell the car.
If you dont care about the car or selling it and its your ABSOLUTE last resort then I would say go for it. But its probably not going to last till summer and you still have a ticking time bomb under your hood.
Putting that stuff in will make it harder to sell the car.
If you dont care about the car or selling it and its your ABSOLUTE last resort then I would say go for it. But its probably not going to last till summer and you still have a ticking time bomb under your hood.
#7
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
Come to think of it, putting a bomb under the hood is starting to sound like a pretty good idea right about now.
After a little research I'm starting to think maybe I could replace the head gasket myself. I think I can devote up to 9 days for the project. I will have to find someone to machine the head if it needs it though. Should I try it?
Anyone know of any good websites or publications which can guide a novice?
After a little research I'm starting to think maybe I could replace the head gasket myself. I think I can devote up to 9 days for the project. I will have to find someone to machine the head if it needs it though. Should I try it?
Anyone know of any good websites or publications which can guide a novice?
#8
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Rep Power: 229 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
If you never done a timing belt then its quite a challenege. If you have its not too much more work then that.
Search the forums for the Shop manual. Also a Chilton will be a big help.
Head should be sent to a machine shop to be tested and checked for any warpage.
Search the forums for the Shop manual. Also a Chilton will be a big help.
Head should be sent to a machine shop to be tested and checked for any warpage.
#9
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
2) Will I need to take it to a machine shop even if I detect no warpage using my good quality square?
#10
Registered!!
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 221 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
Flattening a head is not a big deal for most machine shops but look for one that works on imports - especially Hondas. Use a google search to find them and then call them up or search for them by name on this and other Honda forums.
Replacing a head gasket is not that hard and can be done in 1 day if you have all the parts. One trick is to NOT remove the timing belt. Just remove the cam gear with the belt still on. I use a good bungie cord to hold the belt tight by hooking the gear and stretching the cord up and over the hood hooking the other end on the hood near the windshield. Set the motor at TDC before doing this and make sure the head is at TDC when re-installing.
Your gasket failed for a reason so chances are your head is warped or there's some other defect so check for warpage carefully. Most people recommend using new head bolts or replacing them with ARP studs. Search on this topic to understand why. Some have re-used head bolts with no issues. Overall, you still may end up spending $500 to do the whole job including head work, bolts/studs, new coolant, new oil, new gaskets and seals (head/IM/exhaust/valve cover/valve seals/cam). Good luck.
Replacing a head gasket is not that hard and can be done in 1 day if you have all the parts. One trick is to NOT remove the timing belt. Just remove the cam gear with the belt still on. I use a good bungie cord to hold the belt tight by hooking the gear and stretching the cord up and over the hood hooking the other end on the hood near the windshield. Set the motor at TDC before doing this and make sure the head is at TDC when re-installing.
Your gasket failed for a reason so chances are your head is warped or there's some other defect so check for warpage carefully. Most people recommend using new head bolts or replacing them with ARP studs. Search on this topic to understand why. Some have re-used head bolts with no issues. Overall, you still may end up spending $500 to do the whole job including head work, bolts/studs, new coolant, new oil, new gaskets and seals (head/IM/exhaust/valve cover/valve seals/cam). Good luck.
#11
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
#12
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
#13
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Rep Power: 229 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
Its not necessary however putting everything back together just to find that its slightly warped you will be very upset.
#14
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: What's the best head gasket sealer?
Yeah that would be bad. My big hurdle was how to get it there, but my friend says he'll lend me his car if I need it, so that makes it a lot more possible.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
7thgensurvivor
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
38
08-29-2015 11:50 AM
robbie374
Electrical, Wiring, and In Car Entertainment
4
07-07-2015 02:56 AM
jdawgzcivic
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
12
06-30-2015 06:35 PM
HondaHomer
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
2
05-14-2015 12:24 PM