Head gasket sealant

[muflah]

It's a 2011 Cultus, taking sips from the coolant like 400 to 500 ml per week and I've been driving this for more than 6 months because I don't want another gasket + silicone job done to my car. So are there any good sealants available locally (in Karachi) or on daraz?

The car isn't overheating and I have been refilling it with a mixture of distilled water and coolant and that's one of the reasons I don't wanna change the gasket at this time.

[pwuser166331039855]

Ideally you should consider changing the head gasket only and without using/apply any other sealant there.

Sealant/RTV/Silicons are ok to apply on the tappet cover of many cars. But for engine head, only actual head gasket need to use. Because once its hot, it automatically glue itself very well with mating surface of metal and creates very good long lasting bond.

Extra precaution: After 3-4 days of replacing headgasket, once again make sure all the bolts are well tight with the required torque specs.

[muflah]

The last time I got the head gasket fixed, I don't know how but there was silicone leftover that got into the radiator. I had to flush the system multiple times and get the radiator cleaned to get rid of all the residue.

I thought sealant could be an easy fix since I have driven intercity multiple times since then and it appears to be a minor leak only.

So now I have three options, either let it run with the leak(s), change the gasket or I can try a sealant. My mechanic is the type who listens to me but I have to be there the whole time and I just don't have the energy this time, that's why I'm looking for a sealant.

[helper_learner]

Dont go of any patch work / gugaar

Get it done properly.

Your city?

[helper_learner]

Ok, you have already written your city, Visit irshad @ jameel autos in Karachi.

[muflah]

I'll get the gasket changed. 🤝

I'm from Karachi.

[msabbasi]

Ideally head gaskets go on without sealant. If you are hell bent on using a sealant, I would recommend Hylomar Blue. It is available locally online. There is a way to apply it. Read up about it.

[muflah]

No I was talking about the liquid sealant that you put in your radiator. When it reaches the leak the moisture in it evaporates and it seals the leak.

[Xulfiqar]

Do a pressure test, your leak maybe external.

What hose clamps are being used.

[muflah]

There are signs of a bad head gasket, like foam coming out of radiator cap and air bubbles too.

A few days back the temp sensor stopped working and the temp needle reached the red mark multiple times.

[Xulfiqar]

As I said

Do a pressure test, and do a CO2 test if you can

That will tell you where the leak is, foaming as in easily dispersed foam? Or shaving foam type foam?

[muflah]

Shaving foam.

It starts foaming when engine is warm. So when I start the car there are bubbles but as it gets hot it starts foaming.

[muflah]

Sorry I don't use shaving creams or stuff. It's a thin layer, I can wipe it with finger.

[Xulfiqar]

This is not shaving foam type foam, this is foaming due to a missing radiator cap (asssuming your engine is fully hot now) - the cap causes pressure to build up which stops this foam from forming when engine runs.

You need a proper pressure test to identify and repair this, dont rely on just visuals here.

[Xulfiqar]

But you have seen them in your life right? E.g. just because you dont use something doesnt mean you dont know what it is.

Just like if you dont use lipstick on your lips doesnt mean you dont know what it is or looks like.

[muflah]

Hearing that it's because of missing radiator cap is a relief. I'll try to get it pressure tested in few days.

Your analogy is good but in my defense people use lipsticks in public all the time.

[pwuser150520264261]

does your car give white smoke on cold start these days?

[muflah]

No smoke.

[Xulfiqar]

Just like shaving foam is used in barbershops all the time, whether its oldschool cream or spraycan.

[msabbasi]

Assuming that you have a good radiator cap, do a small test as described below - This is super old school stuff when we don't have a radiator pressure tester or CO tester:

1 - Run you car around town as usual allowing the car to fully reach temperature.
2 - After you park your car at home allow it to cool off overnight
3 - Next morning BEFORE starting the car, open the bonnet
4 - Find the large radiator hose at the top and squeeze it half way between radiator and engine
5 - It should not have any pressure in it and be very easy to squeeze.
6 - Don't laugh at this next step. I was able to once zero in on a blown head gasket using this test. Bring your nose close to the radiator cap and take a sniff near the cap just as you open the cap. If you smell exhaust gas at the radiator, you have a head gasket problem.

I hope you didn't fall off your chair laughing.

Of course the right tool for the job is: