K-Seal, Internal Coolant Leak, Tb42 Carby

[Nowlzy]

Gday,

I noticed recently the shorty exhausting a fair bit of white smoke/steam, then subsequently checked and found coolant level had dropped about 2litres since last check and there was a small amount of coolant actually leaking from a low point in the exhaust pipe...

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2019/06/7.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2019/06/8.jpg

I topped up the coolant and next day, again had to top up another few litres, so was definitely loosing coolant. During top up noticed fumes and bubbles in the radiator...

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2019/06/9.jpg

I changed the engine oil recently (this month) and condition looked good, also dip stick and visual through the oil fill cap didn’t flag any issue with the oil.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2019/06/10.jpg

So, before jumping the gun and spending $$ on diagnostics and mechanics I thought I’d try the basics:

1. Replaced radiator cap
2. Added a bottle of k-seal, head gasket sealant to the radiator
3. Topped up the coolant again

Pretty much immediately (within minutes) I noticed that bubbling in radiator had stopped and level of coolant was holding. I also topped up the overflow coolant tank to max line once steady.

Checked again a few hours later and next morning after a cold night and issue seems to have been resolved. Or at least is now not noticeable without a fuel system leak/pressure test etc.

Now no smoke and coolant level holding firm with no bubbles.

If based on this anyone has any advice of additional work/servicing I should do let me know!

Anyone have a hunch of what it may have been? Could it be a small gap in head gasket which has now been fixed?

Cheers



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[0-TJ-0]

Sounds like a head gasket to me. Pretty decent hole if you're ending up with coolant in the exhaust. I'd suggest with a leak that bad your k-seal stuff won't last long.

[BillsGU]

Leak sealer is a temporary fix to get you home. As TJ says, sounds like a head gasket if you are lucky or a cracked head if you are not. Don't rely on it keeping on working. Get it looked at and my guess is nobody will be able to tell for certain without the head being removed.

[Nowlzy]

Thanks for the advice, will definitely get it looked at


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[braddar]

Gidday Nowlzy

Interested to find out how long K Seal lasted and whether you removed head?

Regards Brad

[Nowlzy]

Hey mate,

If still going strong...

If it plays up again I will get it looked into but yeh so far no issue and I’ve bit driving a lot


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[mudnut]

Playing with fire IMHO. If the sealant lets go and water leaks into the cylinder, there is a high possibility of copping hydraulic lock which equals a full engine rebuild.

Good stuff for emergencies. I used Silver Seal on my Corolla which kept it going for three years. It was an external leak, though.

Pull the head, get it crack tested and machined, then fit a new gasket for the win.