head gasket issues and using sealers

[EzyQ]

I have a 2006 Merc Sprinter sport-home that I use for pulling my kart trailer and sleeping in at karting events

I recently purchased it in June and I've noticed that after driving it the expansion tank coolant level drops and there is a lot of pressure in the tank when removing the cap... you can sort of smell exhaust gases in the tank when the engine is running and the cap removed

now the vehicle doesn't suffer any over heating issues nor does it have any coolant leaks so I'm guessed the gasket is blown beside a cylinder giving me the excessive pressure in the water system

contacted my local merc dealer and they took details and never called me back, so looks like this could be a big job to replace, as a temporary fix I'm thinking about using head gasket sealers that are added to the cooling system and then just replacing the engine unit over the winter as it wont be used for about the next 4 months

has any one used the gasket sealers with good results or are they a waste of time and money ?

[steveo3002]

will make matters worse in long run and more expensive to repair properly

id only use it if the vehicle was getting scrapped soon

[Emanresu]

If you decide to use sealer, budget for a new radiator and heater matrix plus the hassle of removing the dashboard to fit the matrix when time comes to fix it properly. It really is horrible stuff and not worth it. Far better just to take the head off and check it. Not a massive job.

[EzyQ]

its a temp fix any way, as its far easier and quicker by the looks of it to replace the engine than do the gasket

so why would I need to replace the heater rad or the rad its self after deploying a sealer product ?

[paintman]

Because it's claimed they can block things up.

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 12th September 09:45

[Markbarry1977]

Have you had someone do an exhaust gas test on th coolant to confirm the head gasket is actually FUBAR before you go and dump that st in the coolant system.

[EzyQ]

Markbarry1977 said:

Have you had someone do an exhaust gas test on th coolant to confirm the head gasket is actually FUBAR before you go and dump that st in the coolant system.

not yet but was planning too, but certain this is the issue

[GreenV8S]

I don't know whether you have actually got a failed head gasket or what caused it, but if you don't already have cooling system problems now I suspect you will have after you fill the cooling system with sludge designed to block things. Even as a temporary repair it's a bad idea, and if you plan to keep the vehicle it's a worse idea.

If you're planning to drive long distances like this I suspect you're going to find yourself with a dead vehicle at some point, but if you don't plan to travel far and plan to bin the engine shortly I think you might as well just drive it, avoid loading it heavily or working it hard, and try to nurse it along until you are ready to replace the engine. Just be aware that worst case scenario if the leak gets much worse would be hydro locking the engine. If you find that the engine starts pulling really well one day, that's your clue to switch off before you kill the engine.

[LarJammer]

You description sounds like perfectly normal coolant system operation... But you say you can sort of smell gases? That would require a huge amount and i doubt it would still be running. Get a sniff test done for your own peace of mind and take it from there.

[PositronicRay]

I used K Seal. Oldish car ran it for another 3-4 yrs everything ok, heater fine then sold it. A year later I had an email from the purchaser, he'd just had a fresh MOT and wanted to let me know how pleased he'd been with it.

[Emanresu]

How is replacing an engine at X cost better than fixing the problem for possible price of a gasket and head skim?

This is the problem with Britain today. Oh it's broke, we'll dump it and buy a new one rather than fix it cheap.

[M32Guy]

I've used steel seal on many an old engine with positive results. Haven't had any issues with it gunking up other parts of the cooling system. Should work quite well in the OP's case but it's not a magic wand for every blown head gasket. It's also not something I'd recommend on a low mileage engine as I wouldn't want to go in there replacing a head gasket after it's been used if it didn't work

[jeremyh1]

When you say 2006 Do you mean the old shape or the new shape one
On the old one I had a 2004 and put Kseal in when the HG went but it made no difference but I would give it try you dont have much too lose

If it is the new shape I would rather it was repaired or maybe even attempt the job myself

[jeremyh1]

Emanresu said:

How is replacing an engine at X cost better than fixing the problem for possible price of a gasket and head skim?

This is the problem with Britain today. Oh it's broke, we'll dump it and buy a new one rather than fix it cheap.

Well done I agree its the reason spanners are always cheap nobody knows what they are for

[EzyQ]

jeremyh1 said:

When you say 2006 Do you mean the old shape or the new shape one
On the old one I had a 2004 and put Kseal in when the HG went but it made no difference but I would give it try you dont have much too lose

If it is the new shape I would rather it was repaired or maybe even attempt the job myself

its the new shape 2006 to 2013 model

[EzyQ]

jeremyh1 said:

Well done I agree its the reason spanners are always cheap nobody knows what they are for

each to their own opinion's I guess, have either of you actually carried out a head gasket repair on a 2006 Merc sprinter then ?

if you have then fair comment if not then, its your opinion

[boxer100]

Yes on an older early 2000s one it was not a bad job we did struggle removing the injectors
I would do or have the job done properly on the modern engine

[PaulKemp]

Does it have EGR if so may be an EGR cooler leak, I had this on a TDCI Mondeo although the white smoke was like a tank laying smoke

[EzyQ]

I have an update with this problem

Took it to a garage and got a sniff test done on the cooling system and no CO2 detected.

Mechanic has seen these motors develop water pump issues with the impeller not working correctly causing the water to boil in the block causing the back pressure

So now going to change the water pump this week.

[Markbarry1977]

EzyQ said:

I have an update with this problem

Took it to a garage and got a sniff test done on the cooling system and no CO2 detected.

Mechanic has seen these motors develop water pump issues with the impeller not working correctly causing the water to boil in the block causing the back pressure

So now going to change the water pump this week.

Hopefully good news then.