[rfishing]

Well here it is:

I decided to forget about the pressure testing, and just give this ThermaGasket a try. If ThermaGasket does not work, then I will pursue the other tests. After all I had 2 positive failed tests for Block Gases.

This morning I started engine, ran it until I thought the thermostat was open. I removed lower radiator hose, and let it drain. I did not let it drain completely (wanted to keep as much hot water in there as possible).

Next I used my 44 oz JackinTheBox plastic cup to premix parts A and B of Thermogasket material. Using a funnel, I poured the contents into the upper radiator hose. This surprised me, as I thought the stuff would just flow to bottom of radiator but instead it stopped up in the hose. I had to squeeze the hose to force it down into the radiator. Also some of it spilled out onto the thermostat housing, the hoses, my glove, etc., etc.. My glove hardened completely, and after seeing that cotton glove, I was impressed that if Thermogasket did not fix a head gasket, then nothing would. . I used hot water as suggested, and filled the radiator overflow tank. It only took one gallon, and I suspected the radiator hose was probably clogged up with thermagasket.

I ran engine at 2300-3000 rpms as suggested by RXauto representative. The temp climbed up to 223 in a minute so I let her idle back down to lower temp. The rep wanted me to do 8-10 minutes of continuous high rpms. It turned out that I was only able to perform about 3-4 minutes of those 2300 rpms, and about 25 minutes of idling in between. I remembered the radiator only took one gallon, so I stopped the engine let it cool to below 200 degrees and rechecked water level. Sure enough it took another 1/2 gallon water. I repeated the high rpms for about 2 minutes, let it cool down again and checked water level again. This time I could see level was just above the baffle plate inside the overflow tank. I added a little more water but overfilled to the cap.

At this point, I was not certain if my deviation from the proceedure was going to work (since I did not have smoke out tail pipe Rxauto varied the instructions to fit my situation). I called Rxauto and had to leave a message. Although I was not able to perform the 8-10 mins as directed, I decided to perform the next step anyway, a 15 minute drive at highway speeds.

I decided to take it to the main freeway, and go all up hill. During the drive RXauto rep called me (the chemist) and actually talked me through the drive. He instructed me to keep the rpms as high as possible at over 2000 rpms. He said, during the first 10 minutes especially it is important to keep the rpms high. Even driving around the neighborhood in low gear would be good. It is best to stress the engine out, get it expanded as much as possible. This allows Thermogasket to get into all the little cracks. During the drive my temperature never went above 202 and this is up hill. I pulled into a parking lot after driving 25 minutes, and popped the hood.

On the ground below the overflow hose was a drop of water. So I let engine cool down to below 190 degrees, and checked coolant level. To my surprise, it did not need 1/2 a gallon as it would have before using Thermogasket. I started pouring water into overflow tank, and realised that it was already full, only I could not see the level very well in the shade, so I wound up filling almost to the cap.

On the drive home, I decided to do the same route I previously used for testing, and excelerated but not as hard as the other day. Thinking that If I lost a half gallon of water again, then I would know the Thermogasket is not working. The test drive went well, temperature stayed below 205 degrees. When I got home I found a drop of water below the overflow hose again. I let engine cool to 150 degrees and checked water level. Surprise, it was above the baffle plate, about 2 inches below cap.

Now I am thinking, I was merely overfilling and this is the radiator cap doing its job equalizing, and that is why I am seeing drops of water. To prove my theory, I left the water level alone and took for the test drive as before. The Thermogasket guy told me, everytime I drive the car it will get better. He was absolutely right, I never knew this car would run like a sports car. Fast smooth shifts at over 4000 rpms each, and temp never went above 199. She ran like new. I got home checked and not a drop of water on ground, let it cool down to below 200, checked level of water and it was normal at the same place as when I left for test drive. Now when engine is hot and idling I can see a big difference, so there may have been a miss before using the thermogasket.

According to the Rep., if my coolant level stays the same, and it passes a block test, then the Head Gasket is fixed. I will probably do another Gas test in the near future to see. I dont want to be presumpteous but it would appear that Thermogasket has fixed my engine. I want to do a few more things before I jump for joy. Im already impressed to say the least.

1. Check coolant level in the morning cold, I am told this is the proper way, but have my doubts? Although if the level is below baffle plates inside overflow tank when cold (where I cant see), then I will test drive again before adding anything, and check to see the level when hot.

2. Repeat the Block Gas Test

3. Drive up and down the mountain at high speed (very steep incline increases to 4500 feet) and check for temperature, and coolant level afterwards.

I want to add some of my conversation with ThermoGasket inventer. He stated that the more I drive the car, the better it will fix it, and that Thermogasket loves high rpms. He originally designed Thermogasket to protect homes from fires, but modified it by one chemical ingredient to use on engines. It will protect over 1000 degrees. I asked if this was permanent? He responded with a story of a car he just worked on today. Someones car that he did 5 years ago with Themogasket, and the car is now overheating again. It turned out the thermostat went bad and not the thermogasket. He had many such stories, and told me about buying cars with blown gaskets for the cheapest price and fixing them up with thermogasket, even got a mercedes that way for 800 dollars. Told me about so many Norstar engines with blown gaskets my head was spinning. He claims that in the older Norstars like mine 94 and later, Thermogaskets works on them everytime. In my situation Thermogasket will be permanent unless the head bolts are stretched.