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sp53

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I am not really the type to use a miracle in the can, but my buddies and I were taking about sealing up a situation were the oil is getting into the water in a aluminum engine. In my way of thinking if the oil is getting into the water there is really no way to fix that by adding something to the water. The oil is under say 50 psi and the water perhaps 7psi, the oil would just push the additive away. Furthermore, nothing sticks very well to oil. In the past, I have seen cracked heads fixed with additives as long as the crack was in an exhaust port or water jacket. However, some say that it is possible if one uses the right stuff on a clean engine where you drain the engine dry(15 minutes) right after you put the stuff in the water. Then, let the car sit for 24 hours and put the water back in. Does anyone have any personal or engineering experience in this area?
Thanks in advance sp53
 
No personal experience as such, but I think I'd be inclined to pull the head and check (replace?) the head gasket, which seems a more than likely cause of this problem. I can't imagine how any additive is going to fix the problem you describe.

Have you checked for excessive pressure in the cooling system, which also would be indicative of a head gasket failure?

Personally, I think that it isn't worth the risk to try anything temporary....
 
I agree with Andrew. Pull the head and fix the problem once and for all.

Dave
 
Oh I agree doing the job right is important. Having said that however, some of the new aluminum engines actually (require/suggest) some stop leak. I guess it something to do with cheap engineering or perhaps the dissimilar metals dissolve the gasket. I do not know, but I remember awhile back when Alan explained something like this quite well. In my case, I think I am going to see how long it will last by doing nothing. The oil leak is slight and no water seems to get back into the oil, yet. Perhaps, I will think of the oil as water pump lubricant.
Sp53
 
Yeah, the Jag V12s had bars leaks in the glovebox. It was there for coolant leaks tho, and to save on warranty costs to Jaguar, not to benefit the customer, or the engine, or the radiator for that matter. Mechanic in a can is not a fix for pretty much anything. Mechanic with a toolbox is the best choice. Like Gene Berg once said "Buy the best, you only cry once"
 
The world is full of miracle cures. Or so the purveyors of the cures would have you think. Weight loss is probably the only thing that makes more money than engine gimmicks.
Have you considered adapting a "Tornado" to the cooling system?
Seriously, what type of engine are you dealing with? How many miles are on the engine? What are the other symptoms?
Which companies recommend stop leak for their new engines?
 
I have to go along with the suggestion to pull the head. Try to preserve the head gasket so you can examine it for leakage. Hopefully you will find evidence of a failed head gasket. (possibly one of the less expensive fixes)
Maintaining the coolant is very important in engines and cooling systems that include aluminum parts. If the corrosion inhibitors are worn out aluminum is very susceptible to corrosion. Have there been any problems with the radiator? If so this may indicate the antifreeze was not maintained. My guess is the radiator would be the first thing to fail due to corrosion as it has the thinest material.
The wait and see approach may be appropriate if the car is not in good overall condition. In other words it's not worth fixing. If it is worth fixing I suggest doing so before it gets worse.
 
mircales in a bottle/can usually end up just taking your money. I remember in the 60's that every once in a while you would hear of someone putting STP oil treatment in their car and end up having the car in worse shape. That stuff was like thick molasses and if the car was near the end of its life the STP could end up killing it. Just my 2 cents worth even though the wife will only give me a penny for my thoughts. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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