Hi all, my Prius has 270k miles. It has been burning oil at a steady clip for the past 80k and it has recently started to smell of coolant in the exhaust with white smoke during the first few seconds of start up. With an engine this old I really have nothing to lose, it is the dead of winter and I do not want to do an engine swap until the spring. Should I try a bottle of head gasket sealer like the bars stuff? Has anyone tried this stuff and had positive results? My thinking is if I can squeeze another 5000 miles or so out of the car then I can do the engine swap when its warmer out.
I've used it on my old S10 to help with a radiator leak. It works but definitely makes a mess. Coolant looks muddy. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
There are some other special head gasket sealant products. All are a bit pricey $50 or so. Was called Steel Seal. If your going to swap the engine anyway you have little to lose. One other thing you might try, is to tighten the head bolts 1/4 or 1/2 turn. Maybe the extra clamping force will seal it up. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
I have heard many people swear by a product called Liquid Glass for this purpose—-the active ingredient is Sodium Silicate. You’ve got nothing to lose, go for it.
Well, if you are going to change the engine ...I guess there is little risk. FWIW I wouldn't use it if I was keeping the car because what ever this product is it will also get into the valve seats, spark plugs, exhaust system, oil system and perhaps even into the coolant system if there is a leak in addition to its purpose of sealing a gap between the top of the cylinder and the head. Decades ago I used Bars Leak for a radiator leak and it damaged the water pump bearings necessitating replacement. Thermostat and coolant passages issues are more than likely an issue too with these type of radiator leak additives. Yes it worked to plug the leak...as an on the road emergency product IMO
What happened to the pump? Start leaking? Lot of miles on it? It definitely makes a mess of the cooling system. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Hi Audio, Was a long time ago...Chevy 283, chrome valve covers , glass packs and all....maybe year 1969? My recollection is not so clear other than having to replace the pump after the Bars Leak application. Just don't recall if the pump bearing seized, was a noise or a leak? I do seem to recall the failure was fairly quick (weeks) after the application. I can't even recall if the rad leak started at a tank seam or a rock penetration to a tube. Also don't clearly recall what the coolant looked like after using Bars, so I would just be guessing as to grit and color....yet that's my guess grit & color were not good. Therefore, my trend to never recommend that Bar's additive. It was my take at the time the failure was due to this product...not pump age. At the time, I recall the Bars was in a film canister sized container and was a silver colored flake. I am not sure of the product's current evolution. So long ago, so many cars ago Audio. I would say to use Bars as a true emergency road repair.
Somewhat comparable to using stop-leak in a tire? Fine, as long you're planning to throw away the tire, and the rim...
