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Irontite worked to fix coolant head gasket leak 700

uid 49372's pic
posted by  740_dan on  Tue Aug 23 19:25 CST 2011
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last visit: Thu Aug 28 13:10 CST 2014
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After I tracked down coolant leaking from lower radiator hose that was skewed, I still was losing coolant.

Coolant seeping out during the night only. Stopped by my mechanic's shop and they recommended Irontite. They had used it on a 240 that was spitting out visibly while the car was running. Leaked stopped by the time the Irontite had been poured into the radiator.

I used half a bottle (not sure why) of Blue version (not Red) per my mechanic's advice. Disconnected expansion tank relief hose at radiator (tiny hose). Attached a funnel to a 1/4" hose, then attached it where relief hose was. This prevents the goop from mucking up reservoir tank. Ran car for five minutes (I think car was running when pouring too). Mechanic recommended adding goop while car was warmed-up and it was. Next morning no coolant on driveway, and engine block had a white, dry residue from where coolant seeped.

I did this at the beginning of August and I haven't had any further leaks or other problems.

At under $20 a bottle, this stuff beats a head gasket at $1500 plus. If it can hold back that job another 1-2 years I'm happy...

In Portland, I got stuff at Bearing Service in NW Pearl area.








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    Irontite worked to fix coolant head gasket leak 700

    posted by  Steve on  Tue Aug 23 19:34 CST 2011
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 07:16 CST 2014
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    Short term fix only. You have a head gasket in your future. The cost to replace should be only around $800: the 700/900 series have simple top gaskets especially for nonturbos.
    When you do, make sure you flush all that crap out of the cooling system and heater core. The danger of stop-leaks is that they collect in out of the way spots and cause corrosion.
    --
    See the 700/900 "FAQ" at the menu bar top screen left side.








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      Irontite worked to fix coolant head gasket leak 700

      uid 49372's pic
      posted by  740_dan on  Tue Aug 23 20:37 CST 2011
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      last visit: Thu Aug 28 13:10 CST 2014
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      Yes, a temporary fix. I thought the price seemed high. But mechanic also said price was based on last HG they did, and although mine might not be that much, it will include replacing other parts that are easy to get to during a HG repair, for example timing belt, that should be done when the engine is so disassembled. (my car has turbo, the one that manifold has to be removed first to remove turbo)








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        Irontite worked to fix coolant head gasket leak 700

        posted by  Steve on  Tue Aug 23 21:38 CST 2011
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 07:16 CST 2014
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        The timing belt comes off in about fifteen minutes when the head is removed: no big deal. New belt is maybe $30. You need to shop around among independent mechanics for a better price. The headgasket job takes maybe five hours. If you rebuild the head at a machine shop with new valve stem hushers and a surfacing (recommended) you are into it for maybe another $200 tops.
        --
        See the 700/900 "FAQ" at the menu bar top screen left side.








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          Irontite worked to fix coolant head gasket leak 700

          uid 49372's pic
          posted by  740_dan on  Wed Aug 24 11:25 CST 2011
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          last visit: Thu Aug 28 13:10 CST 2014
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          I appreciate your concern Steve. I've been going to this shop for over 10 years and two different Volvos - I wouldn't trust my car with anyone else, and they are a Volvo only shop. With any repair, they always give me cost options and encourage me to work on my car (including this one). They are more cost conscience than I am!

          I was surprised they recommended Irontite, but they're like why pay for a HG when this might fix it for a year or two? Gives me time to prepare. If I did go in for a HG they would give me a more accurate estimate and would update me on what they find once it's torn-down. The cost is certainly going to be over $1000 and every car is different in terms of what needs attention in such a repair.

          Irontite is no overnight gimmick, I bought from a machine shop, and the brand has been around for many years with an impressive range of testimony.








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            Irontite worked to fix coolant head gasket leak 700

            posted by  ibs740 on  Mon Aug 29 10:50 CST 2011
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            last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:01 CST 2014
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            I used the Irontite (All weather seal) for rad leaks on another heater core leak. I've done 2 now on my 740 and 1 on my 940. I did everything you are supposed to so no idea why the cores go. The sealant lasted about 6 months then the tiny core leak comes back, won't hold 20 psi but will hold 18ish.

            I am damned determined not to change another of those SOB cores so am trying to figure out a way to use the Irotite ceramic seal on just the heater core without contaminating the whole cooling system. It's easy enough to isolate the core but the trick is to heat the sealer to about 135ºF and circulate it in the core. Water bathes, hot plates, I don't know yet but winter is coming so I better to.

            Any ideas using the sealer would be appreciated. In regards to the cores leaking
            check for forums I went at this bugger for a while with no identifiable cause.

            ian








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              Irontite worked to fix coolant head gasket leak 700

              uid 49372's pic
              posted by  740_dan on  Tue Aug 30 17:15 CST 2011
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              last visit: Thu Aug 28 13:10 CST 2014
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              I don't really have any ideas on how to heat the water for the core only. I suppose the sealant could be pre-mixed with warm water (from an electric kettle?), and using a thermometer the temp could get close to 135 degrees.

              You might try prepping the core with cleaner-flush Kwik-way makes before doing this one. Check their web site for more info.








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                Irontite worked to fix coolant head gasket leak 700

                posted by  jimjmorris on  Tue Aug 30 21:43 CST 2011
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                last visit: Mon Sep 29 19:45 CST 2014
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                Have you even seen the inside of a head which uses a product like this?

                Constricted coolant passages. Filled with white, ceramic like cake.

                There is no way I would ever use this in a car I cared about.

                Jim








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                  Irontite worked to fix coolant head gasket leak 700

                  posted by  ibs740 on  Wed Aug 31 10:50 CST 2011
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                  last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:01 CST 2014
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                  Irontite ceramic seal was originally designed as a crack fixer for disassembled parts. For example a head. It was hooked up to a circulation setup that pumped the ceramic sealer through to coat then was dried to harden. This stuff seemed like lots of the aluminum epoxys used to repair castings etc.

                  I'm going to have a go at this but only if I can circulate it through the heater core only which is real easy to isolate.

                  They now sell it as an add to the cooling system product after using their cleaner. Dumping it into the cooling system is alot easier than what I'm trying to do but this stuff is not that softish goo like other sealers. It sets up like plastic metal and I don't trust it enough to try in the cooling system. I like the original concept and have nothing to lose except the 8-10 hours and a stiff back from changing a leaking heater core.

                  Yes I did give in to their other product (All weather seal)in a moment of weakness (but only 1/4 bottle) at the thought of changing my fourth heater core.







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