Thermagasket

[SteveThefolkie]

Originally Posted by rfishing

Update:

Coolant level this morning is exactly same as yesterday before test drive. That is good news.

I searched on here, and found others with the no heat from drivers footwell area problem. They found the heater core to be clogged.

I am wondering if that is why at high rpms coolant is overflowing? Waiting to see if I should flush heater core now or wait till after the 400 miles of ThermaGasket.

Check to make sure it's not something simple - like an air diverter flap that's not moving correctly and keeping the warm air from getting to the footwell - before you go through the flush process all over again - I could be very wrong however - I'd suspect that if there is a single heater core AND you're getting heat out of one opening that if all was well in the warm air path you'd be getting heat everywhere ....

Steve

[Kev]

A faulty damper would be on the top of my list too.

[rfishing]

Originally Posted by SteveThefolkie

Check to make sure it's not something simple - like an air diverter flap that's not moving correctly and keeping the warm air from getting to the footwell - before you go through the flush process all over again - I could be very wrong however - I'd suspect that if there is a single heater core AND you're getting heat out of one opening that if all was well in the warm air path you'd be getting heat everywhere ....

Steve

According to ThermaGasket rep., I have to wait until 400 miles is up before I can do the heater core flush. Might as well do you like you suggest, and investigate the diverter flap in the mean time.

Just a thought, but if I am getting good air flow no mater what the temp, doesnt that mean the diverter is working? Air is flowing out all the vents as selected, just ambient heat at the drivers footwell. I was thinking there was a cold section due to blockage in the core. There are several cases of this posted in the forum.

Anyway, I will look at it. Thanks.

[Kev]

Even though you are getting air out of that side, it sounds like the air is bypassing the heater core. The damper that diverts the air on that side is probably hung up on something, the control mechanism may be broken or disconnected, a vacuum line may be faulty.

[rfishing]

Can a clogged heater core, cause the engine to overheat?

Getting around under the dash is tough, as I do have some disabilities.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by rfishing

Can a clogged heater core, cause the engine to overheat?

Getting around under the dash is tough, as I do have some disabilities.

I would say no. It used to be common to bypass a leaking core without impact to cooling capacity. the important thing is, if you have clogging in your core how free flowing is the rest of your system?

You've just implemented a product that plugs up leaks in the head gasket, I immagine that it has the capacity to plug other small openings as well. This is the compromise you must consider with the use of such products.

[rfishing]

Originally Posted by Kev

I would say no. It used to be common to bypass a leaking core without impact to cooling capacity. the important thing is, if you have clogging in your core how free flowing is the rest of your system?

You've just implemented a product that plugs up leaks in the head gasket, I immagine that it has the capacity to plug other small openings as well. This is the compromise you must consider with the use of such products.

I realize this is lengthy post, but if you read the previous, you would see there is no compromise. Either this will worked or I had to junk it. Fortunately I am at point where car is running good enough for local driving without losing coolant, or overheating. I may try the mountain pass this week. Anything after today is more icing on the cake for this car.

Rest of my system is flowing. I know because I flushed from overflow tank to bottom radiator hose. Also flushed from overflow thru the thermostat / lower hose.

[STS_man]

96 sts coolant resevior empties VERY OFTEN......temp rises very QUICKLY what might be the problem....taking to shop soon just want to kno what repair prices might be.....

[rfishing]

Originally Posted by STS_man

96 sts coolant resevior empties VERY OFTEN......temp rises very QUICKLY what might be the problem....taking to shop soon just want to kno what repair prices might be.....

You should have started a new Post. This is for Bars Leak or ThermaGasket. If you post new message, it will probably get more responses. Call around for a cooling system inspection price. 75 bucks at dealership if I remember right.

[pkohut]

RFishing, it's been about 5 months since you first tested ThermaGasket. How is it doing for you?

Thanks,
Paul

[rfishing]

Originally Posted by Kev

Even though you are getting air out of that side, it sounds like the air is bypassing the heater core. The damper that diverts the air on that side is probably hung up on something, the control mechanism may be broken or disconnected, a vacuum line may be faulty.

I was able to reach into the vent while running temp up to 90, down to 60 and back up again. Can feel a flapper in there moving, and air flow changing from room temp, to a spot with some warm, and even felt Ice cold for a moment. The heater hoses both get hot. As engine warms up, bottom hose is slightly warmer than the upper hose.

Does that help any?

Update:

Last night drove the car only 20 minutes, local driving to drive through restaraunt, never exceeded 3000 rpms or 45mph. Temp was normal, sitting in drive-thru temp never went over 207.

Coolant level this morning. Opened cap, and heard small amount of air escaping inside. As I look inside tank, I notice some water sitting on top of the baffle plate, and perhaps it is giving a false water level. Even shaking it is difficult to determine actual water line. I used a measuring cup and added total of 16 oz before feeling the water level was actually above the plate. To be sure I added 4oz more. Total of 20 oz added.

[paintedalley]

Finally got a few minutes to post about my Head gasket /Thermagasket: history: 1998 Deville 156,000 miles, average temps 198 - 200, 22 Mph city, 27 highway......120 days of coolant related stress issues. Radiator was leaking along the plastic sides and was undetectable for about 30 days, very slow coolant loss, high temps, (230ish) low coolant message, replaced with a new radiator. Than we had a water pump issue, also resulting in coolant loss and again higher temps… about 2 weeks after the last repair I noticed like “white smoke” from the exhaust when I would start up in the morning, this would quit after about 10 min of driving. The “smoking” increased in duration over the next couple of weeks, Low coolant messages and again higher than normal temps. We looked at the radiator, water pump, thermostat and every other thing that could be coolant related. One Friday night my husband pulled in the driveway, low coolant message on and the car was very hot, checked the display temp was 255. shut the car off intending to fill in the morning.. the next morning the engine would not turn over, seemed to be seized up. Engine would make a clunk sound, jerk slightly and that’s it..Husband says get your self another engine or junk her, engine is trashed… every morning I would go out and “try” to just see if she would start ,don’t anyone laugh! I took alot of ribbing from my family! a week later TaDah it turned over! But had heavy smoke or steam from the exhaust, really heavy! Smelled nasty too… I shut it off called a few mechanic friends and was told head gasket issue so checked here about blown head gaskets, read a 1000 posts!! found the Thermagasket / steel seal thread…OH no codes related to anything except my ignition bypass…

OK .. Bought the Thermagasket from sjwoodruff and followed directions exactly… steaming stopped in 2 or 3 minutes, temps were what I thought were high ( 212 –222) for the first 2 outings of 25 miles or so, now they are around 200 – 206 at its highest ..175 miles on the Thermagasket so far… several 30 minute drives ,,no coolant loss and my temps are now a solid average of 203, I did change the surge tank cap, but NO ONE had a 15 PSI so there is a 16 pound on there now and a 15 is ordered..

I can’t not explain everything that happened to this car so far, I’m not a mechanic, been married to a couple! I’m a 48 yr old Mom and I know my car is solid and I feel comfortable driving her every day and last week I had a trashed car and today she runs fantastic!
Some of the forum responders have said Thermagasket is nothing more than hope in a bottle, you’re “partly correct!! I was really hoping it would work!! At some point with our advanced technology someone is going to be able to invent a product that can repair a blown head gasket.. sure a tear down and gasket replacement is probably best , but look at how many have issues with those head bolts holding? Thermagasket may not be for every one; traditionalists will still go to a service center. For the rest of us? I’m liking what I’m seeing so far!

[rfishing]

paintedalley,

What a miracle story! After seeing what this stuff did to my gardening glove, turned to something like hardened asphalt, I doubt it is a temporary fix either. According the chemist, this repair will get better and better each time you drive it. Question, do you drive up any mountains?

UPDATE: I drove my car about an hour total last night with some highway driving. Temps completely normal. Took cap off, and hear that rushing sound (thermagasket rep says that is a good sound, means system is holding pressure). Coolant level this morning was difficult to determine because of that dam baffle plate. So added 2 ounces before realizing it is just above the plate. I am encouraged, and thinking yesterdays 20 ounces low might have been due to air pockets / settling? I dont know for sure, but need to take up mountain to find out how effective this fix really is.

Also, I found out how to check for codes, and my car has no error codes. There was one code in history for S036, Electronic Level Control Compressor short to ground / open. I will deal with that another thread if necessary unless someone wants to point me in right direction here.

[AlBundy]

Testimonials, now that makes this thead more interesting. If there are more please post. Don't get me wrong I'm praying I won't need to use this stuff but its good to know.

[rfishing]

Update:

Been checking coolant level daily to be sure I have no loss. So far so good. Drove on highway at 70-95mph last night no problems highest temp on highway 203, coolant was same this morning. Today car is still running great highest temp 199. If it holds up, I will do a mountain test drive monday.

Currently at 225 miles since adding ThermaGasket. Outside temps are going down to below freezing tonight 29 degrees, so getting anxious. I moved car in garage at night, hope that helps.