How Long Does Head Gasket Sealer Last: Is It A Temporary Or Permanent Fix?

If you have a blown head gasket and want to repair it, the first question that may come to mind is, how long does the head gasket sealer last? On average, your sealer will last more than six months if applied properly, and the engine is well maintained.

A vehicle’s head gasket is likely something you rarely think about until something bad happens. If there is a leak or a fault, it should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid more complications.

Repairing a blown head gasket is substantially more expensive. Therefore, applying a gasket sealer is a temporary solution. Check out this article to discover how to utilize a sealer efficiently to make it last longer than anticipated.

What Is A Head Gasket Seal And How Important Is It?

The head gaskets seal the engine’s combustion chamber and allow engine oil and coolant to circulate smoothly. Besides, head gaskets sustain compression while avoiding the anti-freeze and engine oil escaping into cylinders.

This enables a vehicle to generate the power to move forward while also keeping toxic fumes from entering the combustion chambers through the exhaust system.

In a nutshell, cylinder head gaskets are an incredibly essential part of an engine since you do not want an overheated engine with leaks. Because it will damage and tear down the engine pistons and cylinders beyond repair.

Head gaskets in current vehicles are made up of numerous layers of steel material attached to an elastomer, making them more robust and long-lasting. Originally, vehicles were equipped with graphite or asbestos gaskets.

Can You Seal A Blown Head Gasket?

You can actually seal a blown head gasket for the time being. The fix can give you a lot more time to your engine’s lifespan if done perfectly. Head gasket repairs can be expensive, so the sealant is worth the try.

They can certainly assist in extending the life of your vehicle. The fact that the overheating issues have stopped implies that using a sealer was successful.

When poured into the radiator, a gasket sealer works being set down inside. The specific chemical compounds in the sealant do their work via heat in the engine. They will inspect for and fill cracks and holes in the head gasket.

These will then harden to complete the repair, resulting in a sealed blown head gasket. Now, if you wondering about do head gasket sealer actually work, you may have got the answer.

How Long Does It Take For Head Gasket Sealer To Work?

Many different types and brands of head-gasket sealers are available in the marketplace. Each of these has a different working principle which causes alternation in working time effectively.

But, generally, after application, a gasket sealer works in 15 to 30 minutes. It is better to give it more time to settle down and properly seal the cracks and gaps in the gasket.

On average, a good sealer takes around 50 min of engine idling time to work with effectiveness. A gasket sealer will function if it is of top quality, is applied appropriately, and provides the required sealer hardening time.

How Long Does Head Gasket Sealer Last?

A number of factors affect the effectiveness and longevity of head gasket sealers. The most important factor to consider is the head gasket damage. If the head gasket is blown with only minor cracks and holes, a sealer can permanently repair the problem in most cases.

In comparison, applying a sealer to fix head gaskets might last anywhere between 6 months and a few years. It can even survive for more than two years, being dependent on the sealer used and the integrity of the damage.

The concern is that the duration of this sealer is indefinite when you want to know how long does gasket sealer last. As a result, it is considered a temporary fix, whereas replacing the whole head gasket is a permanent but expensive solution.

Does the Gasket Sealer Worth It?

A blown head gasket completely seizes the engine making it useless until repaired. It is one most expensive repairing in an engine system because it requires a replacement of the head gasket worth a couple of thousand bucks.

But a secondary repairing technique is using the sealant. It is safe to use and requires no involvement of a mechanic. The important fact is these sealers are very cheap.

Therefore, a gasket sealer should be used before removing your engine. If you succeed, your engine will get a few years of additional life. Sometimes the fix can also be permanent.

How Many Times Can You Use Head Gasket Sealer?

Head gasket sealants may be applied more than once. However, it is better to use it once or twice, depending on the damage to the gasket. If you want to use a sealer more than once, it is better to flush the system.

Otherwise, it will result in a clog in the thermostat, radiator, and heater core. The chemicals used to create the head gasket sealers are safe for engines.

No matter or particulate items are present in the sealant that can cause damage to the engine if used multiple times. Moreover, the sealant contains petroleum-free epoxy substances that do not cause any reaction with the anti-freeze inside the radiator.

How To Use Head Gasket Sealer?

Using a gasket sealer is relatively simple, and you won’t need the assistance of a professional to complete this task. All you need is to follow the below procedure-

• Before applying the sealer, the coolant must be clean and clear of debris.
• Firstly, remove the thermostat and flush the cooling medium with a Radiator flushing chemical, followed by a water flush.
• You should pour water into the medium that cools the radiator and give enough room for the necessary amount of sealer liquid.
• Allow your engine to return to room temperature (cold) before starting the pouring process. When the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap, turn the heater to high, and then restart the vehicle.
• Little by little, pour the gasket sealer inside the radiator while the engine is idling (1-minute pouring interval for an entire bottle – thirty seconds for half bottle).
• After slowly pouring the sealant, let the car idle for 50 minutes with the cap on.
• After the process is finished, there is no need to flush the system again.
• Wait until the engine is cold before installing the new thermostat. Fill with approved anti-freeze after draining sufficient fluid.

A Helpful Tutorial You May Need!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Nothing can be more upsetting when you experience a blown head gasket in your car’s engine. The permanent guaranteed fix for this issue is replacing the head gasket, which is very costly.

Therefore, you can use the head gasket sealers in their place. It can potentially fix the leaks in the gasket. In such circumstances, you may wonder how long a sealer can last.

The good news is that a properly applied sealer can keep your engine up and running for over a few years. Using sealer is worth it as it is safe, cheap, and can be used multiple times.

You Can Also Read:

• Chevy 350 Head Gasket Replacement Cost: How Much To Pay?
• Step By Step: Subaru Outback Head Gasket Replacement!
• How to Change A Head Gasket On A Ford Explorer? Step By Step Guide