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XJ6Lenny

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My 1990 XJ6 is leaking cooliant out from block near the firewall. I need new head gaskets but I was informed about a product named "Steel Seal TM." 'It is a engine sealant formulation for the repair of blown head gaskets and craked heads. When poured into the radiator of a cold engine, Steel Seal TM is dawn into the damaged area through a thermo-chemical bonding action and seals the crack.' I have to call their technical assistance to see if the product will work for my 4.0 liter engine. It cannot be bought in stores only through order. If anybody is intrested the number is: (215) 953-9230 ext102 technical assistant ext103 4 cyclinder -1 bottle, 6 cyclinder- 1 1/2 bottles, 8 cyclinder- 2 bottles. $29.95 a bottle for first time customers. Regular price $59.95 Let me know if anyone knows about this product or who have tried it.
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Leak stopping additives have been around forever. You hear both horror stories and miraculous testimonials. I’ve never used the stuff myself but it’s normally the sort of thing I associate with emergency MacGyver type repairs to old pickup trucks.
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The two that come to mind are “JB Engine Stop-Leak” and “Bars Leaks” but there are many others. They are commonly available at auto parts stores, hardware stores, Wal-Mart, etc. I would expect to pay around five bucks for a bottle.


https://www.justicebrothers.com/radiatoradditives.htm
https://www.barsproducts.com/


PC.
 
I have no experience with this exact product, but before I inherited my 67 Chevy PU from my brother, he ran something like this through the radiator for a cracked head. I inherited a truck with a cracked head and plugged radiator. The product is designed to block coolant flow, and you can only pour it in and hope it decides to block where you want it to block. I steer clear of anything like it these days.

MattP
 
Lenny, This kind of product can work or it can plug up the radiator. Jaguar radiators have very small tubes in the core and can easily be effected. I used a state of the art product called Moroso. It can be obtained at racing car shops and costs about $20 It is a ceramic and requires a complex installation ritual. It has worked well on MGB motors. On a Jaguar 4.2liter, it lasted about a month before the head gasket began to leak again. DO NOT put more than one container in a Jag due to the small radiator tubes. Best regards. Jack
 
I agree with John, this is a pay for it now, or pay a lot more later. If you have a gasket problem it is because the engine has already been overheating, any additives will compound the cost of getting it right. The XJ engine is sensitive to heat and if the cooling system isn't treated with respect you pay dearly. The head gasket isn't that bad to do yourself, now is the time to get a manual and try it.
Larry
 
If you are going to replace the head gasket, before you do you must check the head casting for warpage. Usually the over heating that makes the gasket fail is caused by the aluminum head taking on a warp from the heat. If you just install the gasket, you will not have fixed the problem. If the head is warped, do not machine mill it to correct. First find a heat set oven to take away most of the warpage. The head can only take a limited amount of machining before it is trashed. Best regaards, Jack Farrington
 
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