block & head sealers
#1
05-10-08, 07:32 AM
block & head sealers
My Camry is sipping coolant. No leaks, so it's going in...
I read about draining the AF, putting in some KW Block Seal with plain water and drive the car for a couple of hundred miles, drain and refill w. usual 50-50 mixture and go on to a prosperous life devoid of such problems happily ever after.
Will the car be okay for a week or so without overheating?
I'm sure this is a crap-shoot, but is it worth the try?
I read about draining the AF, putting in some KW Block Seal with plain water and drive the car for a couple of hundred miles, drain and refill w. usual 50-50 mixture and go on to a prosperous life devoid of such problems happily ever after.
Will the car be okay for a week or so without overheating?
I'm sure this is a crap-shoot, but is it worth the try?
#2
05-10-08, 09:08 AM
My take on it is if you're dealing with a car that you don't want to invest a lot of money in the door is open to more things than if you're dealing with a high value car. It also depends on what you feel comfortable doing yourself.
Some get good results from the sealer you're describing. If it doesn't work, you'll have to do the mechanical repair.
First check for bubbles in the coolant - radiator - cap off - cold and warmed up. If nothing there, check for increase in oil level and milky color to the oil. If your oil is staying the same you may not have an internal leak. The engine could be overheating due to some other problem and losing the coolant to evaporation.
If you determine you do have the internal leak, the sealer = worth a try. It may have to be followed by a head/head gasket replacement. For that, talk to Tow Guy - he can change those things on a Camry with a screw driver.
Some get good results from the sealer you're describing. If it doesn't work, you'll have to do the mechanical repair.
First check for bubbles in the coolant - radiator - cap off - cold and warmed up. If nothing there, check for increase in oil level and milky color to the oil. If your oil is staying the same you may not have an internal leak. The engine could be overheating due to some other problem and losing the coolant to evaporation.
If you determine you do have the internal leak, the sealer = worth a try. It may have to be followed by a head/head gasket replacement. For that, talk to Tow Guy - he can change those things on a Camry with a screw driver.
#3
05-10-08, 10:32 AM
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I have had luck with a product called water glass, i don't usually use block sealers but somtimes ya gotta, due to money or other issues.
remember murphy was a optimist
remember murphy was a optimist
#4
05-11-08, 07:04 AM
Group Moderator
Ha-ha-ha. 
Is that a 4 or 6? And year; how many miles, qwincy?
I tend to agree on the type of loss you may have. Blown head gasket on a Camry isn't very common, but it's always possible. You would definitely want to narrrow down the possibilities before resorting to the Big Band-Aid. In addition to the other tests noted, compression check.
FWIW, I've heard anecdotal stories locally that some of those high dollar sealers do, in fact, work quite well. The test, of course, would be longevity.
Is that a 4 or 6? And year; how many miles, qwincy?
I tend to agree on the type of loss you may have. Blown head gasket on a Camry isn't very common, but it's always possible. You would definitely want to narrrow down the possibilities before resorting to the Big Band-Aid. In addition to the other tests noted, compression check.
FWIW, I've heard anecdotal stories locally that some of those high dollar sealers do, in fact, work quite well. The test, of course, would be longevity.
Yeah, that's it - a multibit screwdriver.
#6
05-12-08, 07:48 AM
Thanks, guys.
The Camry is a 4; 2200CC, 199,700 mi.
It was also suggested I R&R the stat with a lower temp one, 190degr., which I did, along w. new hoses. After 4-5 days the coolant reservoir is staying on the fill-line. I was adding a half-cup, or so every couple of days.
I had noticed the temp. fluctuating at highway speed with the old stat. Now it's constant like it was soldered in place!
If the old thing keeps sipping AF, I'm gonna go for the block-seal. Right now it's lookin' good.
Thanks, guys; many times over....
The Camry is a 4; 2200CC, 199,700 mi.
It was also suggested I R&R the stat with a lower temp one, 190degr., which I did, along w. new hoses. After 4-5 days the coolant reservoir is staying on the fill-line. I was adding a half-cup, or so every couple of days.
I had noticed the temp. fluctuating at highway speed with the old stat. Now it's constant like it was soldered in place!
If the old thing keeps sipping AF, I'm gonna go for the block-seal. Right now it's lookin' good.
Thanks, guys; many times over....
#7
05-12-08, 07:56 AM
Group Moderator
Could be the thermostat was periodically sticking and causing enough temp/pressure to force an overflow of the reservoir. You might never notice this except that the reservoir would need to keep being replenished.
Had to replace the t-stat (factory) in wife's Camry about a month ago for the opposite; it wasn't closing all the way so we periodically got a CEL and it took longer than usual to warm up.
Keep us posted.
Had to replace the t-stat (factory) in wife's Camry about a month ago for the opposite; it wasn't closing all the way so we periodically got a CEL and it took longer than usual to warm up.
Keep us posted.
#8
05-12-08, 10:01 AM
I have had good results using KW Block sealer. Read instructions carefuly and follow them.
Makes sure you have no coolant in engine - drain a couple of times to be sure.
I always pinch off the heater hoses so as not to have any KW block sealer flow into heater core. I has experienced coolant flow problems through heater core after KW block sealer usage so I have added this step on my own.
Have used this product 6 times on various customers vehicles. We always recommend proper repairs, but sometimes the cost of repairs per vehicle condition and the customers finacial situation does not allow for this to take place. Therefore we offer a no warranty KW block sealer service.
Makes sure you have no coolant in engine - drain a couple of times to be sure.
I always pinch off the heater hoses so as not to have any KW block sealer flow into heater core. I has experienced coolant flow problems through heater core after KW block sealer usage so I have added this step on my own.
Have used this product 6 times on various customers vehicles. We always recommend proper repairs, but sometimes the cost of repairs per vehicle condition and the customers finacial situation does not allow for this to take place. Therefore we offer a no warranty KW block sealer service.
Last edited by sled4fun; 05-12-08 at 10:36 AM.
#9
05-12-08, 11:04 AM
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Ya guys you have to remember with alum cylinder heads they are not very tortable with overheating at all espcally if the coolant level drop a bit.
And once it get overheat it can warped the cylinder head and can crack somewhere along the head area.
The only remey for repair is either repalace head gasket or replace cylinder head depending on how bad it is.
And after get the cyinder head fix it will be wise idea get the radaitor clean out if you got some gunk that slow down the coolant flowage [ that is most common cupit can get the engine overheated espcally on hot summer days]
Merci,Marc
And once it get overheat it can warped the cylinder head and can crack somewhere along the head area.
The only remey for repair is either repalace head gasket or replace cylinder head depending on how bad it is.
And after get the cyinder head fix it will be wise idea get the radaitor clean out if you got some gunk that slow down the coolant flowage [ that is most common cupit can get the engine overheated espcally on hot summer days]
Merci,Marc
