Leaking head gasket...

[generator12]

...On an '02 VW Jetta.

Yep, grandson bought one with 95,000 miles and discovered a wee bit of anti-freeze leaking into the oil. See bubbles/foam on the dipstick. No way he can afford the repair, nor can I. (With a dozen grandchildren, it would be a bad habit for me to start!)

My first question is whether anyone here has used any of the products out there to fix a head gasket leak. "Bars Leak Head Gasket Repair" is one option - sodium silicate (i.e. "liquid glass") is another.

Second question is, "How does one put such a product into a VW that has no radiator cap?" Put it into the coolant reservoir?

I've used bar's leak on cooling system leaks for decades with generally good results. But never on a head gasket, nor on a VW.

Your comments are eagerly sought!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Leaking head gasket...

Sorry to say.......there is no magic stuff to stop that leak. The head has to be pulled and gasket replaced (IF) that is the problem. There could be a water pump leak and that could be leaking directly into the oil. It could also be the oil cooler unit ..........

Is there white smoke from the exhaust? I think it needs to be further checked...... I would not recommend that he drive it until properly diagnosed and repaired or the engine could really die.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Leaking head gasket...

Maybe buy grandson some basic tools, a head gasket and a manual.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Leaking head gasket...

Do NOT add any of that to the cooling system. It will damage the engine. I really wish they would quit selling that stuff! I like OldJeeps idea. It's not hard to do and there are lots of how-tos on YouTube.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Leaking head gasket...

Or buy him a manual, and have him work on it with your tools. Done them for 20 years on my cars or for others not that bad gasket set is not that bad

 

[bigdee]

Re: Leaking head gasket...

I understand your delima. Like others have posted the correct fix is to pull the head. BUT.....in some situations Bars will work. You must follow a few rules; ONLY use Bars pellets sold at GM dealers, it is not called Bars (but it is) ask for stop leak pellets.
Use just 1 pellet. There is no fix for a BLOWN head gasket but bars will very often fix a LEAKY head gasket. If this stops the leak your problem is solved for awhile, sometimes permanently. If not, you only lost a few bucks. DO NOT use any silicate based stop leak b/c if that stuff does not stop the leak the silicate will destroy your engine bearings. Like I said the only safe thing to try is the pellet. Radiator repair shops also sell these pellets.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Leaking head gasket...

Once that crap is coated on the inside of your engine, you have essentially ruined the engine. May stop or reduce your leak for the short term, but your problems have just begun. It plugs allot more than just your intended hole!! If it's worth fixing, my bet is, it's worth fixing right.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Leaking head gasket...

Once that crap is coated on the inside of your engine, you have essentially ruined the engine. May stop or reduce your leak for the short term, but your problems have just begun. It plugs allot more than just your intended hole!! If it's worth fixing, my bet is, it's worth fixing right.

Not true if you use the right stuff and use the correct procedure. If it does not work don't keep adding more. Until recently all new cars came with that stuff installed before it left the factory. Chrysler engine plant used to drop one in each block assembly before the water pump was installed. Why do you think GM dealers use it? http://www.acdelco.com/html/pi_vehcare_adh.htm part # 12378255

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Leaking head gasket...

Take off the head and do the job correctly. Half a$s job using snake oil will leave your grandson stranded and you will have to do the job the right away eventually anyway.

Use Bars leak or similar and you will have a clogged up radiator and heater core that you will be dealing with eventually. It also will coat the radiator so the heat transfer gets reduced which will also cause overheating.

Head gaskets just don't start leaking for no reason. It probably overheated and the head is slightly warped.