Posted up here the other day about coolant level dropping in the engine. Turns out its likely to be the head gasket. I'm wondering what people think about K-seal, steel seal, and other quick fix solutions to the problem?

I've been doing some research online and there's a lot of mixed reviews, but the main conclusion coming form what seem to be people with more experience is that quick fix solutions aren't good and cause long term problems?

" K-seal had solidified and lifted the head gasket around a water way next to an oil way"

"we have had to change all water ways as they are solid with the stuff, horrible job of clearing the block and radiator/heater matrix"

[Pulled from another forum].

And this video explained a lot;

Right now I need a quick fix, as I don't have time to change the head gasket at the moment and need the car up until the 10th December, then maybe I can jump in to fixing it properly. Will also be doing some long distance driving between now and then.

Should I go ahead and use this stuff for a temporary repair? And what's peoples views on the stuff in general?

Cheers

Edited 24 November, 201213 yr by Nick_593

Tbh my brother just chucked some k seal in his mondeo and that's transformed it, not sure his heater works anymore though.

Trouble is you make the repair harder work in the long run as you can end up replacing heater matrix's etc!

K seal is more suitable for coolant leaks, steel seal more for HG.

Steel seal also doesn't have particles unlike kseal.

Depends what the cars worth to you IMO.

You'll get loads of replies saying don't do it, IMO best to repair something properly but yeah.

Just seems one of those things that's too good to be true

tbh if the car is still running ok and not guzzling loads of coolant, i would just carry loads of water and keep topping it up. 99% of all quick fixes ended up being a waste of time imo. 10th of dec isn't far away, so long as you are carefull with the car you should be able to hold out till then

mk3 polo is like £50 and a afternoons work to replace the gasket , id just fix it right

mk3 polo is like £50 and a afternoons work to replace the gasket , id just fix it right

k seal's only purpose is to get you home to have it repaired properly, its not a permanent repair.

if water is going into oil stop using the car and get it fixed straight away because mayo doesn't lubricate very well and you may seize your engine.

Ye i agree i used steel seal which apparantly is guaranteed to be permanent lasted a week in my vr6 get it fixed properly

As said really its supposed to be a get you home fix.

" K-seal had solidified and lifted the head gasket around a water way next to an oil way"

"we have had to change all water ways as they are solid with the stuff, horrible job of clearing the block and radiator/heater matrix"

The only way i could see that occurring is that the engine wasnt run long enough so it settled, waterways already rusted up or excessive amounts of K-seal used. As for lifting the HG i wouldnt think that was even possible if everything was bolted down properly.