My question about K-seal / head gasket issue

[azsubydriver]

I have a 97 subaru legacy with about 90, 000 miles on remanufactured engine , 190, 000 on the rest of the car. Im driving from CA to AZ currently. Car has a blown head gasket. Im wondering if anyone has experience with K-Seal? Could i use it or something similar as a patch job to get back to Arizona ? If the car is driving and im regularing stopping to check fluids etc..what might be the risks ?

[AWDFTW]

The DOHC typically blows internally. The fix in a bottle type stuff usually helps the external failures, but not the internal. Doubt it would do much. Keep an eye on the temps, don't let it overheat, add coolant as needed.

[grossgary]

how badly is it overheating right now? once a month, every day, every drive? once they start getting bad they only get worse and can get worse quickly. driving it sounds like a really bad idea unless it's only overheated a time or three.

the problem with driving is these things overheat even with a nearly full radiator because of the way exhaust gases push into it. so you can't just "refill" it easily, it's too hot and under too much pressure and you almost have to let it cool down. on cars that overheat when fluid is low, it's a little easier to pop the cap off if you cover it good with some towels to defer the steam. but full radiator under pressure - not so much a good option.

i wouldn't recommend driving it or the K seal, which almost certainly won't help, as AWDFTW mentioned, these engines just don't respond to it based on the way they fail - they're blowing exhaust gas into the coolant.

they make radiator caps that have a lever or release on them of some sort that may help relieve some of the exhaust gases while it's running, this might make it easier to get the trapped exahust gases out of the coolant which is the issue.

a guy with the same engine and issue drained all his coolant and filled the system up with brake fluid which he suggested resists the random and quick overheats much better. not saying it's a good idea, just passing along one eccentric guys attempt that allowed him to nurse it along.

[bstone]

You might try removing the thermostat.

[maczs123]

I put it in at 172,000 miles when I started to use 1/2 gallon of coolant a week and it sealed it right up. I now have 199,000 and it is just starting to use coolant again (about a quart or so a month).
I drained the system first and then put the entire bottle in and left it in. I would highly recommend it! It didn't clog my heater or radiator. It saved me thousands in repairs and hopefully will hold it off long enough until I trade it in.