Blown Head Gasket

[Sadi]

So I've got a blown head gasket. I've heard there are some additives which can repair a blown head gasket without taking off the head.

 

Anyone used or can recommend any of these additives? I'de rather try a cheap fix before spending big money on repairing it.

[ke70dave]

nah they don't work well. just clog up your water galleries with crap.

 

how bad is it blown?

 

ive heard of people driving around on blown head gaskets....

 

you got coolant pouring out the exhaust? or water in your oil? or oil in your water?

 

if its a K motor you can pickup complete running K motors for like 100bucks. thats the easiest way to fix it.

 

or if its just the gasket that is stuffed (your head isnt warped) then its only ~60bucks for a gasket kit, and ~60bucks to get the head shaved, and an afternoons work.

[Sadi]

I got a bit of bubling in the radiator. Checked with a mates co2 detector, its only a small leak. Might just drive it round for a while, see how it goes. If it gets worse then I'll do something about it.

[beerhead]

Car-Go metallic sealup FTW! Seals those niggly leaks really well.. $10 a bottle and lasts for years if your lucky.

[Redwarf]

WB Irontite. Clagged up my Sigma back in the day for about 6 months. However, follow the directions to the letter.

[ninja-philbo]

if your in brisbane man il do it for a carton plus cost of machining and gasket kit.

[Taz_Rx]

If a K:

 

Gasket - under $25..... if not genuine.

Head facing - $44 including GST

 

Then you just need some oil, coolant etc.

 

If you don't know what you're doing then try and find somebody who can help like Phil's offer. Including the carton you should just about be able to fix it for under $100. :wink:

[Sadi]

if your in brisbane man il do it for a carton plus cost of machining and gasket kit.

 

 

If only I lived in brissy, nah I live down in sydney. Thanks for the offer though. I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing, got a mate down here who can help me out.

[Twinky]

Actually while we are on this topic, I heard of people using some grade of araldite or aviation goup on the head gasket

for a bit more of a firmer seal. What grade/goup would be used?

[ke70dave]

mmm I'm not really a fan of putting any sort of goup on gaskets.

 

unless the surfaces arent the best and can't easily be machined (diff cover plates, thermostat housings etc).

 

i don't think there shoud be any reason why you should use any goup/sealant on a headgasket as you get the head machined flat, and spend a few hours with a razor blade on the block and clean all the crap off, you should get 1 mirror surface and one that is pretty close. a head gasket should seal perfectly fine with out any sealant.

 

also especially for metal headgaskets i don't think any goup at all could be used, this will jsut create an un-even surface, but i don't think any K motors have metal headgaskets.

 

having said that, there is this stuff called "Hylomar"

 

http://www.hylomarblue.com/FAQ_pg3.htm

 

mate of mine puts it on anything he can get his hands on, loves the stuff. and has never had any dramas, i don't think hes done a headgasket though (hes a rotor nut...) but ive no doubt he put it on everything inside his 12a.

 

that link sort of talks about it being used as a headgasket dresser.

[Taz_Rx]

Agreed, you don't need goop on a HG. The normally have an orange/red line around the outside of them anyway. This is basically a heat reactive line of goop anyway, when the motor heats up the lines seals up.

 

Saying that though, I have given head gaskets in my boosted motors a spray of VHT "Copper gasket" before, but that's all I'd do. Careful too.... its nasty stuff that'll make your nuts shrivvle. :wink:

[Twinky]

Cool, thanks for the advice. I just remember someone on here doing it and wondered if it had any benefits.