16 replies to this topic

[robnjen]

I have used Steel Seal on a Renault Trafic camper van - the head gasket had blown and the repair was "awkward" and potentially expensive so I tried Steel Seal - if I had used it according to the instructions on the bottle it would not have worked at all, but I read the instructions from their website and it DID work.

Since the repair I have had a holiday in Anglesey and a trip to Skye, covering over 1700 miles. Getting stuck in traffic on a hot day sent the temp gauge soaring - worrying times - but then the fan kicked in - all was well.

The secret is to put the Steel Seal (mixed with antifreeze) into the radiator, not into an expansion bottle, and make sure you have a working thermostat - this keeps the steel seal out of your engine until it gets hot. Run the engine for a good hour, switch off and then run it again.

I had water running down the block just as if someone had left a hose pipe running down it - this continued for about half an hour as the Steel Seal started to "find" the problem - I was giving up at this point, but then it suddenly stopped leaking and hasn't leaked since.

I would add that I did this because the repair on the van was difficult - access to the cylinder head was awkward - some bolts would have to be removed from inside the cab, some from under the bonnet - cam belt timing would have come into play, the engine is overhead cam and the camshaft carrier was part of the heaqd and so might have to be replaced along with a head if badly warped or cracked - potential nightmare - I doubt that I would use it on a mini where head removal is so straightforward but in my experience Steel Seal works.

[stevelane]

I have used Steel Seal on a Renault Trafic camper van - the head gasket had blown and the repair was "awkward" and potentially expensive so I tried Steel Seal - if I had used it according to the instructions on the bottle it would not have worked at all, but I read the instructions from their website and it DID work.

Since the repair I have had a holiday in Anglesey and a trip to Skye, covering over 1700 miles. Getting stuck in traffic on a hot day sent the temp gauge soaring - worrying times - but then the fan kicked in - all was well.

The secret is to put the Steel Seal (mixed with antifreeze) into the radiator, not into an expansion bottle, and make sure you have a working thermostat - this keeps the steel seal out of your engine until it gets hot. Run the engine for a good hour, switch off and then run it again.

I had water running down the block just as if someone had left a hose pipe running down it - this continued for about half an hour as the Steel Seal started to "find" the problem - I was giving up at this point, but then it suddenly stopped leaking and hasn't leaked since.

I would add that I did this because the repair on the van was difficult - access to the cylinder head was awkward - some bolts would have to be removed from inside the cab, some from under the bonnet - cam belt timing would have come into play, the engine is overhead cam and the camshaft carrier was part of the heaqd and so might have to be replaced along with a head if badly warped or cracked - potential nightmare - I doubt that I would use it on a mini where head removal is so straightforward but in my experience Steel Seal works.

Ok thanks for your thoughts - Its not how difficult it is, i know I could get it done within a few hours - its the cost of another cylinder head, already had to buy this one this year and not sure i can afford another for a while, was hoping this would be a cheaper alternative for maybe the rest of the summer so i can use the car