Stop leak

[WZ JUNK]

I have a car that has either a cracked head or a blown head gasket and it is leaking combustion into the water side.  It is not economically feasible to repair it correctly.  Before I junk it, I thought I would try some stop leak.  I have used these products before to temporally stop a radiator or heater leak but I have not tried it on this problem.  What product do you suggest?

[enjenjo]

Two things that I have found that work.

Moroso Ceramic seal,  Expensive about $20, but I have used it in a diesel engine with a cracked head, and it lasted for about 10,000 miles before leaking again, and another dose took it another 10,000 miles. Follow the directions to the letter.

Alumaseal, this is good for small leaks, dump it in and drive it. Cheap too. Down side, it can plug heater cores, and it doesn't work good on compression leaks.

I haven't found anything that works on a blown head gasket.

[58 Yeoman]

I've used both Alumiseal powder and Barr's stop leak pellets with good results....sometimes.

[tom]

I've used both Alumiseal powder and Barr's stop leak pellets with good results....sometimes.

i once had a big block chev freeze and crack. went to the drug store and bought some waterglass. had to change the oil a few times and keep it running. it eventually quit leaking, drove it for a year and sold it. the new owner drove it for over year and sold it. it was never a problem in those 2 1/2 years. in fact the guy i sold to said it was one of the best used cars he ever had.

[58 Yeoman]

waterglass?  Never heard of it; is that the product name or type of product?

[Ohio Blue Tip]

waterglass?  Never heard of it; is that the product name or type of product?

Waterglass is Sodium Silicate.  Used in the day to preserve eggs.

[SKR8PN]

Sodium Silicate works real well,but you need to get as much coolant OUT of the engine as possible first. I'd try that first if it was me...............
But I have also had very good luck with the block sealers,SPECIALLY on aluminum cylinder heads that have been repaired(welded).
I have never had Aluma-Seal plug a heater core..........And I have used it a lot to stop SMALL leaks.

[WZ JUNK]

Sodium Silicate works real well,but you need to get as much coolant OUT of the engine as possible first. I'd try that first if it was me...............
But I have also had very good luck with the block sealers,SPECIALLY on aluminum cylinder heads that have been repaired(welded).
I have never had Aluma-Seal plug a heater core..........And I have used it a lot to stop SMALL leaks.

It is a 4 cylinder Chrysler engine ( Dodge Daytona).  How much Sodium Silicate should I use?  I can drain and flush the coolant from the system before I try it but I do not know how much to use.

[58 Yeoman]

Thanks for the tips on waterglass, guys.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

waterglass?  Never heard of it; is that the product name or type of product?

Waterglass is Sodium Silicate.  Used in the day to preserve eggs.

Just last week OBT said, "Boy, I wish someone would ask what waterglass is"...and here it is. I'm always amazed at the little bits and pieces of knowledge we have stored away.

Charlie

[SKR8PN]

Sodium Silicate works real well,but you need to get as much coolant OUT of the engine as possible first. I'd try that first if it was me...............
But I have also had very good luck with the block sealers,SPECIALLY on aluminum cylinder heads that have been repaired(welded).
I have never had Aluma-Seal plug a heater core..........And I have used it a lot to stop SMALL leaks.

It is a 4 cylinder Chrysler engine ( Dodge Daytona).  How much Sodium Silicate should I use?  I can drain and flush the coolant from the system before I try it but I do not know how much to use.

WZ...Them is EASY head gaskets to change! I do them in about an hour,start to finish! Bring that thing to Ohio and I will do it for you if you buy the parts and the beer...............