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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
        
(Message started by: fundrpuss on Apr 10^th, 2008, 2:27am)

Title: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by fundrpuss on Apr 10^th, 2008, 2:27am

Found a product "claiming" to be a "miracle" cure for blown head/cracked head!! "Steel seal" anyone know if this stuff works or just a Ripoff that will ruin the rest of my engine?

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by jonnycab on Apr 10^th, 2008, 4:42am

The old saying "If it's too good to be true, then it probably is", may apply :)

I've not heard of steel seal before, but it sounds like a product called 'K-seal' that you pour into your header tank & is supposed to seal blown head gaskets & cracked heads & sells for around £10 :)

All these products are temporary fixes & don't last forever & they will eventually clog up the cooling system.

The only way to fix it permanently is to replace the head/gasket.....

.....all depends on how long you're planning to keep the vehicle :)

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by fundrpuss on Apr 10^th, 2008, 5:14am

My opinion exsactly but not particularly flush at mo due to divorce,etc and relivin single man status,,,as in big ford plaything.Had a metro citreon rover as part of my "perfect" husband years. Got a 160+ bike and this is my luxery hard top.Winter long haul piece o fun!!!(not that my bike leaves the road for the dark months) Unlike most I devote certain days to a budget and fun plaything and every other day its Fun fun fun whether on 2 or 4 wheels. Wont be held to be a "biker" or "Car "driver. Bike "full on sucidal fun"SCORPIO " the very best of all Fords....Email me and i'll give you the reg. This girl aint appearing on any sales site for a long time and will have a different engine and a long owner date on her reg form if thats whats needed throuhg my inabilities.Only asking advice! Was very conciuos of this response from purists, hate the idea i wrote but, As said earlier im an optimist Dont have any photos but,Silver 4 door saloon badly sprayed round door locks south scotland..Shes a gem!!!!

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by peteHull on Apr 10^th, 2008, 7:21am

on 04/10/08 at 04:42:57, jonnycab wrote:

I've not heard of steel seal before, but it sounds like a product called 'K-seal' that you pour into your header tank & is supposed to seal blown head gaskets & cracked heads & sells for around £10 :)

All these products are temporary fixes & don't last forever & they will eventually clog up the cooling system.

In the old days there was a similar product to what JC describes, it was called porridge oats..... believe me I used to repair radiators for a living and I have certainly seen the outcome of these Miracle Cures.... ???

Pete

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by sector-9 on Apr 10^th, 2008, 10:41pm

Removing a head isn't that difficult, especially as the Scorpio engine is mounted longitudinally so you've good access to most sides. What complicates it is the fact it has a timing chain rather than a belt but if you're planning on keeping the car for a while then this is the perfect opportunity to change it.

Of course, we hope it'll be the gasket rather than the head, but until you've decapitated it you won't know. FWIW, I'm going through an engine stripdown on a Daewoo at the moment - obviously not the same but it's still a 4 pot with DOHC and so far it's been easy but time consuming removing all the ancillaries. Don't forget you'll need a good torque wrench to bolt the head back on!

Darren

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by Tons_of_fun on Apr 11^th, 2008, 7:03pm

With regards to K seal, it does work providing your coolent isnt being pressurised (blows it straight out the overflow).Put it in the wifes escort as a tempory fix for a week or so, & it actually lasted 7 months before i relented & swapped the head :o.Didnt see any adverse side effects of using it apart from the fact it glues thermostats open ::) ::)

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by fundrpuss on Apr 11^th, 2008, 8:47pm

Thanks again for the advice..looks like i'm gonna have to give it a go! Deep breaths and head down! Got the basic tools and can botch up holders for chain drive wheels,etc. Need a new torque wrench my old one rusted on the floor of my garage many years ago.
Any suggestions of reputable places to order a full head gasket set, or all the relevant bolts,tensioner etc.Either online or by phone.
As regards porridge, my old man used to talk about raw eggs for the rad.That was before the invention of motor factors and dealerships...
Cheers ;D

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by fundrpuss on Apr 19^th, 2008, 12:59pm

Got myself a decent torque wrench and nearly pshyched myself up to head removal. the head bolts are "splined"???? anybody know what size of splined socket i need and will it do the cam wheels too?(I believe they are too) would rather buy decent individuals than a "cheap set"Having difficulty getting full head gasket set but can get all bits individualy. Any help appreciated. Gonna try next week when im off. ???

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by sector-9 on Apr 20^th, 2008, 7:34pm

Splined or Torx? If you're not sure which is which, torx are a six pointed star shape. I haven't seen splined heads since the pinto engine, but that doesn't mean they aren't as I've never worked on the newer 4 pots...

Darren

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by TiberiuS on Apr 21^st, 2008, 11:58am

Hi. Never tackled anything like this on mine but IIRC the bolts are these. (http://www.screwfix.co.uk/prods/17465/Hand-Tools/Sockets-Hex-Hex-Keys/Sockets-Hex/Star-Socket-Bit-Set)

Maybe one of the other guys can chime in and confirm :)

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by fundrpuss on Apr 21^st, 2008, 2:16pm

Never tackled this before and would rather buy a couple of Good qaulity sockets rather than a set of soft "do for a job" bits.Not that i want to tackle this again unless i have to!

Title: Re: Further to blown head gasket/cracked head!!
Post by sector-9 on Apr 21^st, 2008, 11:22pm

Believe it or not, I've found the Halfords brand socket sets are quite good quality. That's what I've been using to do my head and they've lasted me many years (and cars). Of course, Halfords aren't cheap, but unless you've already got a good quality kit and just lack a few key bits, I'd certainly recommend them. Don't forget, you may only need a handful of special sockets to do this engine, but sooner or later you'll be working on another engine that needs different sizes or shapes...

Darren