You will often find many internet queries about the “pros and cons of a head gasket sealer”. Generally, such queries are made by drivers seeking solutions for bad head gaskets. Your vehicle’s head gasket is located between your cylinder heads and the cylinder block.
It is the component that is responsible for holding the compression while keeping coolant and oil from leaking into the vehicle’s cylinders. So a failed (blown) head gasket will lead to issues like oil and coolant leaks and engine misfire, amongst other problems.
Some car owners with blown head gaskets choose to effect repairs by themselves and as such resort to using a head gasket sealer. But since there seems to be some furor over head gasket sealers, this article will attempt to answer the question Are head gasket sealers worth it?
What Is Head Gasket Sealer?
Now let’s get into the details of why head gasket sealers exist in the first place. A bad head gasket can lead to really horrible things if not dealt with properly.
But it could also put a pretty big dent in your wallet replacing it, depending on where you live and the dealership/garage you go to. That’s where the more budget friendly option comes. The head gasket sealer. The jury may not be in on them yet and abandoning a failed head gasket isn’t good for your engine and consequently, your car.
A head gasket sealer is used to keep the head gasket in its place and eliminate leaks from it acting as a stop-gap measure for its bursting and leaking.
No solid or particulate matter is contained in it and it can easily merge with different materials. It’s majorly known for sealing oil and coolant leaks and does not shrink or crack after drying.
The stuff is fairly safe and easy to apply which is why people rave it’s a great repair beautifier for blown head gaskets. So is a head gasket sealer any good? Well, read on to find out.
Does Head Gasket Sealer Work?
Yes. But you have to ensure that you’re using a reputable brand of head gasket sealer. It’s a bit ironic that people have mixed results so far as the efficacy of head gasket sealers is concerned. Check out the head gasket sealer forum for instance.
Several vehicle owners can attest to how effectively head gasket sealers have repaired their blown head gaskets and prolong the life span of their vehicles. A few see head gasket sealers as scams that do more harm than good.
The truth is the answer to the question lies somewhere in the middle. First of all, the type of head gasket sealer you buy matters. And you want to buy the kind of product that is most suited to your vehicle. Secondly, the manner in which you apply the sealer also counts.
A head gasket sealer is meant to be poured into the vehicle’s radiator. After this, you could be required to run the vehicle for at least 15 minutes with the heater and fan on high. Thirdly, the extent of the damage to the head gasket counts too.
Some damages are irreparable and cannot be fixed with a head gasket sealer. So back to the question. Does the head gasket sealer work? Yes. A gasket sealer will work if it is of great quality, is applied properly and if the damage to the head gasket is fixable.
Pros And Cons Of Head Gasket Sealer
There are varying opinions about the effectiveness of head gasket sealers. The truth is that, like most things in life, all head gasket sealers have good and bad points to them.
Curiously, all head gasket sealers products have pros and cons that are specific to them. Since there is a wide range of this kind of product, we will examine these pros and cons generally.
Pros Of Head Gasket Sealer
- Quick fix: For leakages caused by a blown head gasket, these sealers can be a lifesaver. You might be driving along an Interstate, with no gas station for miles, just a long stretch of highway, and your head gasket blows. All that’s left to do is apply a compressor or head gasket sealer. Apply it correctly and it will seal the leaks and prevent knocking in the engine.
- It is affordable: Quality gasket sealers are not expensive at all. In fact, when compared to how much an actual head gasket replacement will cost, sealers can be a steal of a deal. Depending on the brand of gasket sealer you decide to go with, you can find a permanent fix at a cost that’s literally half that of replacing the head gasket.
- Time-saving aspect: You will not spend any time at all applying the sealer to your blown gasket. Once you’ve poured the sealer into the radiator, the car takes care of the rest and within the hour, the problem is solved. In fact, you can use your head gasket sealer on a blown gasket and the vehicle’s heater core and freeze plugs too!
Cons of Head Gasket Sealer
- It can be problematic: Conversely, head gasket sealers can be problematic too. When poured into the vehicle, it could react with the heat to leave powdery deposits that build up over time. If you do not follow the instructions on how to use the products, the head gasket sealer might end up impeding the thermostat’s performance.
- Compatibility issues: There are compatibility issues. Head gasket sealers work with specific engines. So certain products are only for diesel engines and vice-versa. And, with some products, the effects of the sealer fade in little or no time.
FAQs.
Q: Will Head Gasket Sealer Ruin An Engine?
No. If you use the correct head gasket sealer and apply it appropriately, your vehicle engine is safe. The particles of the sealer are so microscopically small that while fixing head gasket leaks, they do not get stuck in the engine’s components.
The only caveat is to use a head gasket sealer from a brand you trust.
Q: How Long Does Head Gasket Sealer Last?
That all depends on the brand of gasket sealer. Different brands promise different periods based on considerations of how good the products are. So the length of time the effect of a sealer lasts, is relative to the particular one.
Then it depends on how badly damaged the head gasket is. And considering the range of sealers out there, it is safe to say 6 months is the least period for how long a head gasket sealer’s effect lasts.
Q: Where Do I Put Head Gasket Sealer?
In the radiator. That is where it is supposed to go into the engine. To get the most out of the product in the can, you should pour it into through the radiator cap. You could then pour it direct though to the coolant reservoir or the hose.
Q: Will Black Pepper Stop A Head Gasket Leak?
Yes. It will momentarily plug the head gasket leak. How? It has to do with the fact that a ground black pepper has very tiny particles that will gravitate towards where there is a leak in the head gasket.
They then increase in size until they can plug up the hole thereby keeping the leak sealed. A handful of ground black pepper is more than enough to keep away any head gasket leaks. But it is in no way a permanent fix.
But it is expected to give you adequate respite to find a more permanent solution to your problem.
Q: Can You Use Blue Devil Head Gasket Sealer Twice?
Yes. You can if you wish use the blue devil head gasket sealer more than once. This product does not have petroleum distillates in it, which means you might use it more than once if a leak happens following the last time you used it. You only need to follow the directions to the letter in applying it.
Final Words
So you might ask, what is the best head gasket sealer? Well, that all depends on your engine and the extent of the damage. There are loads of different head gasket sealers on the market all professing to be the best solution to blown head gaskets.
Deciding on which one works best for you is not impossible but tricky. First you need to know your engine well enough to ensure that you pick the good ones and avoid the not so good ones. I personally would recommend blue devil head gasket sealer it’s a nice product you should try.
You might be able to get some help narrowing down your choice from tons of online reviews on head gasket sealers. At this juncture, you have seen the uses and pros and cons of head gasket sealer and their applications.