Bar's Leak Head Gasket Seal?

Question

I drive a '95 Ford Mustang V6, and my car started overheating about a month ago. I took it to the dealership, and they told me there were some bad hoses, and the radiator had a leak. I had the hoses replaced at that time, and a couple of weeks later I had the radiator replaced. About $600 altogether. I drove my car the other day when it was about 30 degrees outside and it overheated again. I took it back to the dealership, and they told me there was a blown head gasket on it, and it would cost $1400 to replace. I told them that price was outrageous, and they went down to $1000. I told them I would think about it. A technician said I might give "Bar's Leak" a try. But he said it might clog my heater core. Will it really clog my heater core, or are they just trying to get me to get my car repaired with them? If anybody knows a lot about head gaskets and overheating could tell me what my options are I'd really appreciate it. I need help, and I can't afford to spend $1000. Thanks

Answer 1

The sealant would be a temporary fix at best and your engine could go out on you at any moment. I woundn't use it unless you were sure your were planning to dump the car very soon. (ie sell it to make it someone elses problem)

Head gaskets should be fixed appropriately by replacing them when they go bad. $1000 sounds about right for that type of job. (They need to tear down the whole top part of the engine.)

If you go the bar's leak route, trade in the car immediately, and yes the likelihood of clogging the heater core is pretty high as well as messing up a bunch of other stuff.

Answer 2

Bar's makes a new product called Head Gasket Repair (part number 1100) If used correctly, it can repair head gasket leaks. It is very important to drain and flush all antifreeze from your system first. If you add the product to water as instructed, it will not plug up your heater core or radiator.

This product is definately worth a try at less than $15. It might turn out to be a somewhat temporary fix, but if the alternative is $1,000 I would give it a try.

I question the original diagnosis. If your vehicle was overheating, the dealership should have done a cooling system pressure test or a dye test to determine if the head gasket was leaking. That fact that they replaced the radiator and hoses without discovering the head gasket problem is not exactly confidence inspiring.

Try the Bars, but follow the instructions.

Answer 3

$1000 sounds like a BARGAIN at the dealership. I would JUMP on it, if you want it fixed. There was an "owner notification program" on your particular vehicle, meaning that if you had this problem with a specified time or mileage the dealer would fix the said problem free of charge. Unfortunately, due to the age of your vehicle, it's long expired. If you want the dealer to print you a copy, the campaign number is 00M10. I'm always very leery of putting in additives. They are only what I can "band aid" solutions. Depending on how bad the leak is, most likely it won't make a difference. Like you were advised, it may even plug up some very important passages causing even more serious problems. The replacement head gaskets are UPDATED, which means they are improved. $1000 is a lot of money to spend on a car of that age for repair. But it is FAR short of what you need to purchase a new vehicle. The decision is YOURS to make. Putting it off will result in you needing to replace the ENGINE, if you don't already. An engine will cost at least DOUBLE that.

Answer 4

I think that I would try to find out if it really is a head gasket. If it is not a head gasket then that money is just down the drain.
It is true that a blown head gasket can certainly cause a car to over heat, but there are other things as well. One way you can drive it a little longer before doing anything is to take the cap off of the radiator. Only do that while the engine is cold, otherwise you might get severely burned by boiling coolant!
With the radiator full, the cap off, start the engine. Let it idle and watch the liquid level for bubbles. If you don't see any, then take your car somewhere else.

Answer 5

Lauren, I have never seen a head gasket stop leaking using BARS LEAK or ant other sealer..If the leak is to the outside of the head it might. If it is on the compression side of the gasket it will do no more than,possibly, plug your heater...I am quite sure what I am saying is gibberish to you, ask another mech... You know, as I recall there was a SERVICE BULLETIN on the '95 Mustang head gaskets......Check it out on Ford Motor Web...I've forgotten the exact web address....An honest dealer should tell you..I am quite sure that there was a RECALL....You may have missed it but check any way... Can't hurt..Good luck.

Answer 6

NOOOOOOOO! Do not and I repeat do not put this in your radiator, Not only will it clog up your heater core, but also your radiator and your engine block. They use to sell this stuff called liquid glass. It's used to protect chicken eggs in transportation. If you could find some of this, it is the only thing i've found that will stop major leaks and not clog anything up. I've had a hard time getting hold of it anymore, So good luck with that.
My advice to you is sell the car and start looking for something else. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Bar's Leak is a temporary cure for a coolant leak, it WILL NOT repair a leaky head gasket.

Go to an independent garage and have a compression check and a cylinder leak down test done.

Ford V-6's are known to have head gasket problems. You probably didn't need a radiator or the other repairs.

M

Answer 8

I had a 95 Ford Taurus with a 3.8 Liter 6 cyl. Head gasket failed. Before I sold it to a mechanic for $200.00, a mechanic who planned to fix it himself and give to his high school daughter, I carried water and anti-freeze with me at all times, and always topped off the radiator before each and every short trip. No matter what I tried to use to seal the leak, including Bars Leak, nothing worked. The last 3 months I drove this I could only make it a couple miles and had to stop to cool down. Watch your temp guage like a hawk.

Answer 9

I've used the Bars stuff on a head gasket..it worked alright. You really have to follow the directions. It didn't last long though.
There is some stuff called LiquidGlass...you get it at the pharmacy. Ya I know, it sounds wierd but it works for a really very long time..at least it did on everything that I had to use it on.
If you do take it to the shop you are at their mercy.
You know, once they get into the motor they are going to say that the head has been warped because of the heat. And the price will go on and on and on and.....well, you get the idea.
Best thing to do is get cheap heap to get around in and do it yourself...but have the head magnafluxed..to make sure that it isn't warped.
But THE best thing to do is to use whatever you want to stop the leak (really the liquidglass is the best) and sell the dang thing.
Sorry.

Answer 10

over time the solution in bars will kind of corrode. Usually in the heater core. But try it for now and when you can afford to replace head gasket have the stuff flushed out.