I've been told by experts of this forum that my white condensation smoke problem that I'm experiencing (see Dec 11 post) probably is a coolant leak due to a head gasket leak. At this time, the smoke is only noticeable while the car is idling (not in park) and when the a/c fan is on. It sounds like a minor leak so will the product "Irontite" Ceramic Motor Seal by Kwik-Way help resolve this problem. If so, how long could I expect this "fix" to last. Should I eventually plan on replacing the head gasket ($$$$$$$$$)...I'm not a mechanic. I've been told that it will cost around $1000 for a tec. to do it. Why so much?

Thanks!

I'm on the same page as Ken. I work for a well known and very reputable gasket manufacturer and I'll tell you first hand -- DON'T MESS WITH A COOLANT LEAK EXPOSING ITSELF AS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST.

If this continues, you will not just have this issue, but it will escalate into higher dollar fixes.

The Volvo head gasket is a MLS design (multi-layer steel) that has 001-004" of rubber coating on the head and block surfaces. They emboss the steel around the coolant and oil ports to provide the necessary load transfer from the head bolts into the gasket material. This "load balance" is a higher ratio that the internal pressure of the oil or coolant at worst case conditions ( Cold start up can be upwards of 90 psi.) the clamp load of the head bolts provide the sealing stress through the rubber coated steel and embossed areas.

It sounds like a coolant leak into the combsution chamber here. If continuing, plan on replacing valves in the head.

I'm not trying to sell you our products!! I'm just explaining what I know from doing this for 20 some years.

Get it fixed and drive with piece of mind.

Good luck!

You know, it is kinda funny, because my wife's car had this same problem. You could actually see the antifreeze steaming out a pinhole leak in the gasket area. We couldn't afford to spend a grand and have it fixed at the time, so I tried something, that aluminum stuff used to stop radiator leaks. I put some of that in the radiator and sure enough, the leak stopped. We have driven the car for four years after that with no signs of any problems, even taking it 1500 miles in 100 degree Arizona weather in July without problem. The car is an 87 Chev Corsica.

You may or may not want to do this with your car, but I know first hand the stuff works.

You can't "play" with this problem.

A leak into the combustion chamber causes chemical reactions which were never anticipated by the manufacturer. In other words, your engine was designed to burn gasoline, air and a bit of oil. That's it. Period. It was not designed to burn antifreeze. And when it burns antifreeze, the chemical reactions which occur eat away at the aluminum combustion chambers at a horrifc rate.

I would not drive the car until the problem is fixed.

I would not play games with "sealing" products.

This is a serious problem. Fix it.

ken,
You seem to be very adamant about not using this product for a temporary fix. Any particular reason.

I don't believe in using "goop" in the hope of covering up a problem.

I can appreciate the fact that someone might want to save money. And I can appreciate that it may not be convenient to accomplish the real repair now.

But when I make a repair, I venture to make a definitive repair. And for something as serious as a head gasket leak, I do not believe that that repair should be accomplished with a can of mystery chemicals.

I have seen aluminum heads which have suffered from burning antifreeze, and it is not a pretty sight.

You may be very lucky and accomplish a temporary fix with this material.

I'm just not convinced of it's validity.

Thank you for asking for a clarification.