Thermagasket - Page 2

sjwoodruff · #16 (**permalink**) 10-16-05, 02:06 PM

***UPDATE FROM THE GUINEA PIG***

I arrived home from the office yesterday and was surprised to see my Thermagasket sealer had arrived in the mail. I ordered it Wednesday night, and wasn't expecting to get it for 7-10 days...anyway. Tough decision - a lot of HUGE college football games on, but since my Buckeyes had already won, I decided to work on the STS instead.

Quick backround...
'98 STS with 116K, recently replaced plugs/wires - noticed wet/orange stained plug in cylinder #7, harsh idle at start-up, increasing amounts of steam in exhaust at initial start up over the last 8 weeks, slow coolant loss of about 1 quart per 750 miles, no overheating.

Procedure...
I followed the instructions provided to a 'tee'. I completely flushed all coolant until only water was in the system. This took some time and patience - probably a couple hours, but is absolutely a necessity, as the coolant will react with the gasket sealing chemicals and clog your cooling passages (not good). Once I was satisfied the coolant was completely extracted from the entire system (including heater core), I partially drained again and added the pre-mixed solution of catalyst and liquid metallic alloy/elemental carbon provided. I then added to radiator through the upper radiator hose. I reconnected all hoses, topped off the system and let the car idle for 20 minutes. It's important that you completely turn the heater off while these chemicals are in the system, unless you don't value a functional heater core down the road. After the idling period, per the instructions, I took the car on a 20 mile highway ride. Returned home, parked it and proceeded with a lot of prayer (not part of instructions).

Initial results...
This morning's conditions: low humidity and crisp temps in the mid 40's. Car started right up with absolutely no indication of hesitation due to presence of coolant in cylinder #7. Not a trace of steam in the exhaust at idle or under acceleration from stop lights. Car ran at normal operating temp and fuel economy was normal.

Future actions...
Per instructions, water/chemical mix should remain in the system for 400 miles before completely reflushing and filling with fresh 50/50 coolant mix. Since my leak was very minor (no cracked head or block), I don't feel the need to keep this product in my system that long. I am going to flush after 200 miles. Also, instructions say there is a possibility of O2 sensor fouling that may be present. Presently I have no codes for this. Plugs may need replacement, but again I don't expect this because my leak was minor and only in one cylinder. Oil change 100 miles after final flush is recommended. For more serious conditions, one might expect the need for replacement O2 sensor, new plugs/wires.

Verdict...
For the short term, I'm elated. The cost of the Thermagasket was $115 with shipping. Not the cheapest alternative - you can get the K&W sealer at auto parts stores for under $8 per can (I think a V8 needs two cans), but as I mentioned in a previous post, the claims of success with the northstar from their website swayed me to this product. I'll repost to this thread in another month or two with an update for everyone. Hopefully the news will be good.

Expense...
Thermagasket + shipping: $115
Two gallons of coolant: $20

rfishing · #17 (**permalink**) 10-17-05, 06:04 AM

sjwoodruff,

I am watching your post with great interest. As you know my situation with gas detected in 94 STS coolant, minor loss of coolant similiar to yours but only on inclines, and temp increases on inclines as well.

I added bars leak coolant tabs into the pressure tank, and so far the level has not changed, no loss of coolant as of yet. If yours holds, then I may go that route next for a more permanent fix.

Can someone explain to this backyard mechanic, how to access the sparkplugs in my engine? Also, where do you read O2 sensor failure? Since adding Bars Leak into system should I operate the heater?

**Ranger** · #18 (**permalink**) 10-17-05, 11:46 AM

Remove the coil pack and you should have pretty clear access to the rear plugs if that is what you are asking.

Whether or not you run the heater is irrelavent. Whatever you put in the cooling system is flowing through the heater core anyway as there is no heater control valve as in the "old days". Heat is turned on and off by air distribution rather than coolant distribution. In other words, coolant is always flowing through the heater core. Cabin intake air is either directed through the heater core when heat is commanded or bypasses it when cooling is commanded via air distribution doors.

sjwoodruff · #19 (**permalink**) 10-17-05, 12:32 PM

Didn't know that about the heater core, I've kept the HVAC system off just in case. Apparently that isn't relevant, though. I'll have about 120 miles with this product as of tomorrow morning, so I'll probably flush then and refill with coolant.

Another cold morning today, and the car started and idled as smooth as new - no steam at all in the exhaust.

Ur7x · #20 (**permalink**) 10-17-05, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfishing

sjwoodruff,
I added bars leak coolant tabs into the pressure tank, and so far the level has not changed, no loss of coolant as of yet. If yours holds, then I may go that route next for a more permanent fix.

Since adding Bars Leak into system should I operate the heater?

I'd bet that you probably have very little if any Bars Leak in your cooling system. You need to add it in the Lower Radiator Hose for it to get directly into the system. Adding it to the pressure tank will take weeks (months maybe) before it is running through the whole system...

On my car I added the Bars "biscuits" to the Lower Rad hose 2 weeks ago and still see no evidence of "ground ginger" bits in my pressure tank... The coolant there still looks crystal clear (orange).

As noted before Bars Leak does nothing to repair or prevent Head Gasket issues..

Good Luck!

rfishing · #21 (**permalink**) 10-17-05, 07:25 PM

After mixing the bars leak that was in the pressure tank and taking car out for 20min drive, I no longer see any bars leak in the pressure tank. I can only assume that it is in the coolant system engine now. Also, the coolant level has not dropped since adding bars leak, so I guess it is working although I have not taken a trip up mountain as of yet, just local driving so far.

rfishing · #22 (**permalink**) 10-20-05, 08:17 PM

Added 6 more bars leak tabs yesterday, they were crushed up and added to pressure tank. This morning pressure tank was full of antifreeze and no signs of gunking up of the bars leak. So far so good, will go to recheck for gas in coolant in a day or two.

raymondk · #23 (**permalink**) 10-21-05, 09:18 PM

I ran Bars leak for over two years in my 93 Eldorado N* for a leaking core plug. Problem was every time I ran it hard it started leaking again. Last week it blew a chunk out and wont reseal so now I gots to pull it.

rfishing · #24 (**permalink**) 10-22-05, 01:02 AM

Have you thought about trying "Bars Leak Head Gasket", or Therma gasket, or Steal Seal, or one of the other similar products first? 2 years is great. Question for you, during those 2 years were able to drive up any mountains or steep inclines?
Its been one week now, and no coolant loss.

rfishing · #25 (**permalink**) 10-23-05, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjwoodruff

Didn't know that about the heater core, I've kept the HVAC system off just in case. Apparently that isn't relevant, though. I'll have about 120 miles with this product as of tomorrow morning, so I'll probably flush then and refill with coolant.

Another cold morning today, and the car started and idled as smooth as new - no steam at all in the exhaust.

Just wondering if that therm gasket is holding up still? And if so, have you driven up any hills or strained the engine since putting it in?

91TexasSeville · #26 (**permalink**) 10-23-05, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjwoodruff

Didn't know that about the heater core, I've kept the HVAC system off just in case. Apparently that isn't relevant, though. I'll have about 120 miles with this product as of tomorrow morning, so I'll probably flush then and refill with coolant.

Another cold morning today, and the car started and idled as smooth as new - no steam at all in the exhaust.

Keep us informed sjwoodruff

sjwoodruff · #27 (**permalink**) 10-23-05, 02:04 PM

Well - I live in Central Ohio, so I can't really comment on the hill question since it's quite flat here.

It's supposed to get down into the upper 30's here this week, but I'm still trying to hold out until I've run the car 400 miles with the product in the system. I've got about 250 miles now. Maybe by Wednesday night, I'll be able to refill with coolant mix and see what the results are. So far, all seems to be OK. It's chilly and damp here now, so a little visible exhaust at start up is expected. If I still had the leak, I'd expect to be belching white, steamy exhaust and so far, that isn't the case. I'll repost later this week after I have a few trips with the proper coolant mix in the system.