My head gasket is slowly leaking coolent out the side of the engine. I check the oil, and it apears to be fine. I don't have the money to get it fixed right now. But with the on comming summer weather, I'm a little cautious. So if I wait, and it does go out on me. Will this do any serious damage to my engine.
Senior Member
Could warp the heads, but I think they can be machined (but that costs a lot of $$$). Make sure you keep the coolant filled.
Junior Member
Throw in a tube or two of Bar's Leak Gold (which is a powder, not the syrupy gunk) and it might seal it up permanently. This is the exact same stuff GM sells as coolant suppliment tablets that is recommended by the factory for use on early Norhtstar engines with each coolant change. It's worth a try....about $2.00/tube at WalMart.
I thought about putting in some form of stop leak, but I'm leary of that sort of thing. I tried using some stuff on my old transmision, and it ended up doing more harm than good. But if the factory really recomends it than maybe I'll give it a shot. Thanks
Junior Member
Crall13,
I'm usually the last person you will see recommending "mechanic in a bottle" type fixes.
But ever since I had my 1994 Caddy STS and used this stuff per GM's recommendation in the Factory Service Manual, I've started to use it in other applications as well and never had a problem. In the case of the Caddy, GM recommended using this with each coolant change, in case there were any porosity issues with the aluminum engine block casting. On my '89 IROC, the one corner of the intake manifold gasket always seemed to seep a bit, and that took care of that problem. The stuff is a very fine powder, comprised of Ginger Root and other particles, and it won't cause heater core blockages or anything like that. It sounds like it may be worth a try in the case of your situation.
I'm usually the last person you will see recommending "mechanic in a bottle" type fixes.
But ever since I had my 1994 Caddy STS and used this stuff per GM's recommendation in the Factory Service Manual, I've started to use it in other applications as well and never had a problem. In the case of the Caddy, GM recommended using this with each coolant change, in case there were any porosity issues with the aluminum engine block casting. On my '89 IROC, the one corner of the intake manifold gasket always seemed to seep a bit, and that took care of that problem. The stuff is a very fine powder, comprised of Ginger Root and other particles, and it won't cause heater core blockages or anything like that. It sounds like it may be worth a try in the case of your situation.
It's worth a shot to try some stop leak but it will eventually need to be reaplaced. It can cause alot of damage if coolant get into the oil, bearing dont like coolant. The cooloing systems tablets are nice since the particals expand but it deteriotes over time. I would use some aluminum seal since it will hold up a it better. The only thing is you must use a small amount or risk plugging up more then the hole. I like to think 1 small bottle of alumiseal as 4 treatemnts worth.