I think I have a small leak in the head gasket that is allowing small amounts of coolant to be drawn into one of the cylinders. I don't see any water in the oil (yet), and the truck isn't overheating. But, whenever I start the truck in the morning, a lot of white steam comes from the tailpipe (more than usual for a cold morning) and it smells like coolant, as well as a "chugging" (misfire?) from one of the cylinders for a few seconds after every time I start it (cold or hot). I'm also slowly losing coolant from the recovery tank (just checked it last week and it was empty).

Anywho, does anyone have any advice for/against using a block sealant? I really don't have the funds to take it to a shop or the time to fix it myself on a weekend, but I also don't want to make things worse either. The stuff I bought is supposedly the permanent metallic type that you leave in the car overnight to dry, but does this pose any longterm drawbacks? I know it's only supposed to be a temporary fix, but how long should I expect it to last? Any advice for or against the block sealer is greatly appreciated! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

If it was an engine that I was going to get rid of in the future, there are a lot of products that will work well. However, if it was an engine that I was going to fix and drive for many more miles, I would NEVER put that stuff in.

It will go places you don't want it to go and slowly work its way to other places that it shouldn't be. It will settle in your radiator, heater core, water pump seals, thermostat.

You couldn't pay me enough to use it.

Hold up and email <a href="www.engnbldr.com" target="_blank">EB</a> He has a cube you can put in there. The powder stuff is DEATH.

Troubleshoot a bit more. Pull your plugs; usually if a plug is white, then likely coolant is present.

Other non-invasive checks are a leakdown to check the top end, a cooling system pressure check, and a coolant test to test for the presence of exhaust gases.

Figure out what to do from there, but do those checks BEFORE you go adding any product to your system and considering your options. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

My plugged nickels.

ok thanks, that sounds like good advice. I was reluctant to use that stuff anyway, but when I phoned my pops he was real adamant about fixing the leak ASAP. Now I'm thinking he was just a bit paranoid. I'm going to try what you suggested and weigh my other options before adding any products to my system. Thank you very much for the help, you guys, you've kept me out of trouble once again! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Let the engine cool over night. Then remove the spark plugs one at a time and inspect for the moist plug. That will be the sick cylinder. But, you are already into a head gasket job here; at least to fix it correctly. You can sometimes buy some time with the sealant, but the realiability factor has always kept me honest. Pony up and fix it right.......

haha I don't know why I didn't think of that: just waiting till morning to check for which plug it'd be. Duh. After hearing from you guys, I'm going to return the block sealer. I was hesitant to begin with, but with the info I've gotten, it seems as though I would only be postponing the inevitable, and possibly damaging things further by using it. I'm going to do it the right way and troubleshoot thoroughly first, then just man up and fix the problem the right way. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

WTG, you will sleep better for it........... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />