Hey guys, I just noticed that my head / intake gasket is leaking and I was told that running some kind of radiator sealant could fix the problem. I've got this CarGo Seal-Up stuff that supposedly will seal blocks, radiators, heads and heater cores but I'd like to know before I try this if having this stuff drip into my cylinder would case any damage. I'm sure the antifreeze isn't doing anything to help, but I'm still worried about adding this stuff to the mix.

I seem to be losing about a gallon of coolant every 7 - 10 days so I'm assuming it's a pretty slow leak. What would you guys recommend considering I don't have the time to tear the top end apart or the money to pay someone else to do it?

 

These "remedies" are for short term only.
Follow the directions to the letter. Almost all of them say to run the system to operating temerature then drain and refill. Everyone usually just puts it in and leaves it. Then they want to know why their heater won't work...
They won't cause engine damage but can leave you with a partially stopped up heater core and/or radiator.

 

Basicly I need something to hold for about a month untill I'm out of school and I can spend a couple days fixing the damned thing.

Do you think it will A) Stop the leaking into the cylinder B) Hold for a month?

 

As was mentioned, make sure to follow procedure and let it warm up. I've got an old Ford Taurus with a 3.0 v6 which are notorious for head/head gasket failure (the Bar's head gasket stop leak even has a picture of a Taurus motor on the instructions for it, LOL) and after the head gaskets failed the most recent time about 6 months back I put some in, and the car has been fine since. Now granted, I take it fairly easy on it, keep an eye on the temp and only drive the car short distances, and maybe a few times a week. Don't know how well the stuff would work on a daily driver, but my Taurus still runs OK (for now...I think of it as a timebomb).

 

I don't know about the "CarGo Seal-Up" stuff but the Barrs pellets will, Yes on "A" and "B". The pellets also bear a striking resemblance to "GM coolant suppliment" (read: the same thing in a different package) recommended in the OWNER'S MANUAL for use during coolant changes on engines with steel and aluminum parts.
If you only use 2 you don't have to drain the system. Basically your "fire-and-forget" treatment.
edit: they do have one drawback: if your oil cooler is right under your radiator cap you have to break them up to get them in.

 

Alright, I'm thinking about not using this CarGo Seal-Up because the stuff settled and it seems to be a metal flake suspended in a liquid and I'm rather concerned about dripping that into my engine cylinder untill the headgasket leak get's plugged.

I'm not sure how any of the other sealants work but I think I'll go with your reccomandations and get the Barr's Pellets.

Would a metal flake with a particle size of about 1 - 1.5 microns effect the engine?

Thanks for your input guys, I really appreciate it.

 

it shouldn't cause any problems like metal shavings in the oil. remember your cooling system does not run through the bearings or even get any friction or wear parts that have coolant run through them over then your water pump.
your only worries should be that water pump, blocking something that doesn't need to be plugged, and possible reduced cooling depending on how much of a thermal insulator it is