2006 X-Type Sport with 75K miles. Running hot, losing coolant and heater was not working. Just diagnosed as head gasket leak. Combustion gas test confirms coolant in exhaust.

Replacing the head gaskets in the X-Type looks like a pretty gruesome and expensive process.

Added K-Seal into expansion tank as directed. Car passed second combustion gas test. My mechanic says he's had some success with this. Some cars lasting 3-4 more years.

Has anyone out there had any experience with K-Seal?

Thanks,

K

 

Kevin, kinda a mute point now since you have added this product, but in short, this product works by coating the whole coolant system with a layer of sealant. yes, it can plug up a hole in a head gasket. But, you have also coated the coolant channels of the engine block (trapping more heat in the engine), you have coated the internals of the radiator (making it harder for the radiator to remove the engine heat), and you have coated the inside of the heater core (so you won't get as much heat in the winter). Are we talking damaging amounts of heat? Hard to say. This time of year, probably no problem. But, next summer will be the real test when you are sitting on a major expressway, it is 95F outside and have the car at idle. Taking a ride to say Death Valley may not be the best idea either in the summer.

At this point, yes, you have saved yourself a bunch of money from having to replace the head gasket. But, if this product ever fails (in 3-4 years?), you are not most likely looking at having to replace the engine and radiator at a minimum due to build up of the sealant.

I am not an advocate of this sort of product. It has its uses (ie, you are in a location that you need to get out of and have other means to repair the car). But, in a bigger picture, these products tend to create more problems than they resolve.

 

Chris -

Thanks for your reply. Like you say, it's kind of a moot topic now. Keeping my fingers crossed. Luckily, I'm located in a very mild climate...

Anyway, when my mechanic and I were discussing options, he said that it was necessary to pull the engine to access the rear head.

Is that your experience/understanding as well?

Thanks again,

Kevin

 

Kevin, I believe that the rear head can be pulled without having to pull the engine. The trick will be that you need to lift the head at the same time that you have a few of the hold bolts lifted. This is where a second pair of hands may be helpful. Granted, you do need to remove the engine mount on the front of the engine (the side facing the passenger front tire) as you will need to remove the timing chains. This doesn't leave a lot of room, but it can be done.