There are some makes or models of cars that have a reputation for blowing head gaskets. One such vehicle has such a bad reputation for head gasket problems there is a group of owners trying to get the manufacturer to have a recall on them. If you happen to own one of these vehicles, don’t worry it does not mean that you have a bad car or that you are going to spend lots of money.
What is a Head Gasket?
Let’s start by talking about what a head gasket is. The head gasket lives between your engine block and cylinder head. Every modern car has this gasket but they vary in their thickness and construction based on the manufacturer’s design of the engine. The head gasket is so important because it seals the combustion chamber allowing your car to build the proper compression and contain exhaust gases both of which aid in maintaining the efficiency of your engine. The head gasket also keeps coolant and oil out of the combustion chamber which is important for the same reasons you wouldn’t want coolant or oil leaking anywhere else.
Now that we understand what a head gasket it, it’s important to learn what head gasket failure symptoms look like to avoid higher expenses due to additional engine damage caused by driving with a blown head gasket. To understand the symptoms it can be helpful to understand why a head gasket might fail.
Why Do Head Gaskets Blow?
The head gasket forms a seal between the engine block and the cylinder head. This means your head gasket has to seal both extremely hot, high-pressure combustion gases as well as engine coolant which can be anywhere from cold ambient temperatures to the normal operating temperature of your engine. Due to the wide range of temperatures and relatively large surface area, it is not unusual for head gaskets to develop leaks over time. This can happen regardless of the make or model of your car or the type of head gasket used. To better understand why a head gasket might blow, check out this article on why head gaskets blow.
Since the head gasket seals the coolant passage both from the atmosphere and the combustion chamber you can’t see much of the head gasket on a vehicle with the engine installed. Because much of the gasket can’t be seen without disassembling the engine, blown head gaskets symptoms can be very difficult to diagnose. Since a visual inspection usually will not prove a head gasket leak, it is important to know the other symptoms so you can accurately diagnose a head gasket problem.
How To Tell if a Head Gasket Is Blown:
- Coolant leaking externally from below the exhaust manifold
- White smoke from the exhaust pipe
- Bubbles in the radiator or coolant overflow tank
- Overheating engine
- White milky oil
- Fouled spark plugs
- Low cooling system integrity
External Head Gasket Leak
A head gasket leaking external would cause coolant to come from below the intake or exhaust manifold and often only happens when the engine is completely warmed up. If there are no other cooling passages or hoses near the head gasket you may be able to positively identify the leak as a head gasket leak, but if there are other cooling passages nearby, you may need to add a UV dye to the coolant then watch the head gaskets with a UV light to positively identify the leak.
White Smoke From Tailpipe
Most head gasket leaks are internal to the engine allowing coolant to flow into the combustion chamber on every intake stroke. When this happens to coolant burns/evaporates with the combustion process and appears as white smoke coming from the tailpipe. This smoke can be differentiated from moisture during a cold start by a sweet smell and will continue even when the engine is warm. If the leak in the head gasket is large this white smoke can often be excessive and billow from the tailpipe.
Bubbles in the Radiator
Besides allowing coolant into the combustion chamber, an internal head gasket leak allows exhaust gases into the coolant. This can cause bubbles to be in the radiator or coolant reservoir making the coolant look like it’s boiling even when it’s cold. The bubbles are exhaust gases that force their way into the cooling system during the combustion process. An easy do-it-yourself test for a blown head gasket is to perform a chemical test using this type of tester on your coolant to check for the presence of exhaust gases to see if this is happening in your car. This is the most effective blown head gasket test and can give you a positive sign of a blown head gasket.
Overheating Engine
If you’ve got a blown head gasket, your engine usually will overheat after longer drives. This happens both due to the lack of coolant as your engine consumes it, but also the efficient combustion process, the excess heat from the exhaust in the coolant and the inability of your vehicle’s radiator to cool the dirty coolant. If your engine overheats it can cause lots of problems. The biggest concern is the expansion of metal components past what they were designed for which can cause cracks and warping. Also, it can permanently damage seals and gaskets cause other leaks in your engine. Both of these problems often require a full engine rebuild to remedy.
White or Milky Oil
As coolant leaks into your combustion chamber, it will seep past your piston rings into your oil. Over time oil and water will mix and cause the oil to turn a milky white. You can look for this on your dipstick and around your engine oil cap. Having water in your oil will make your oil ineffective in properly lubricating your motor which will quickly allow wear on your cylinder walls and on the crank and camshaft bearings. Even if you don’t drive the vehicle, the presence of water in the oil can cause rust on machined surfaces which can lead to pitting in the metal and necessitate and engine rebuild.
Fouled Spark Plug
As coolant burns in your combustion chamber, it will leave tiny white deposits on your spark plug usually around the ground strap and electrode. Other problems can cause these white deposits so this isn’t a conclusive blown head gasket symptom but if others are present it could give you more proof.
Low Cooling System Integrity
If there is a leak from your head gasket, pressurizing your cooling system and watching for pressure loss can help prove you have a blown head gasket as well. Since there could be other leaks you don’t know about, this also isn’t a conclusive test, but again just more indications that you may have a blown head gasket. Similarly, you can perform a leak down test which pressurizes the combustion chamber with compressed air and measured the amount of air that leaks out through the head gasket or any other opening the combustion chamber.
Can I Drive With a Blown Head Gasket?
If you have multiple blown head gasket symptoms, it is important to drive your vehicle as little as possible. The hot gases and cold coolant moving through the hole in the gasket can quickly erode or warp the metal head or engine block leaving you with costly machining bills or even having to purchase new heads or a new engine and having water in your engine oil can destroy bearings quickly.
How to Prevent a Head Gasket Failure
There are some ways you can reduce your chances of blowing a head gasket. The first is to keep combustion chamber pressures as low as possible. If your vehicle is turbocharged or supercharged, make sure your boost level is set to the factory setting to keep combustion pressures in check. Also, make sure your engine doesn’t have any preignition or knocking from overly advanced timing or carbon build up. Similarly, maintaining low engine RPMs will reduce stress and heat on your head gasket so avoid running your engine at high RPM. Lastly, if your car has a manual transmission avoid downshifting to slow the car and rev-match anytime you can to reduce pressure on your head gasket.
If you are rebuilding an engine, you can reduce the risk of a blown head gasket in the future by using properly lubricated head studs torqued in the proper sequence to the correct torque setting. You can also make sure your block deck and cylinder head mating surface are properly prepared for the new gasket. Similarly, using a multi-layer steel or other metal head gasket can improve the reliability of your engine. For more information, check our complete article on how to prevent a blown head gasket.
These are just a few different steps you can take to prevent a head gasket failure, but sometimes even following these steps you may still end up with a blown head gasket. If not taken care of right away, blown head gaskets can turn into bigger engine problems that will end up being even more costly to fix down the road.
How Much does a Head Gasket Repair Cost?
Head gasket repair cost can vary significantly from vehicle to vehicle. Cost factors include:
- Number of cylinder banks
- Overhead cam VS pushrod engines
- Head or block damage
- other components replaced
Most of the cost of a head gasket repair is in the labor costs so the complexity of the job can change the cost significantly. For example, a “V” style engine has 2 heads and it is best to replace the gasket on both so the cost increases significantly over an inline engine. Similarly, an engine with overhead cams adds the complexity of removing the timing belt or chain which makes the job more complicated than it would be on a pushrod engine where you simply need to remove the rockers and pushrods. Machine work can add lots of cost to a head gasket job so knowing how much damage has been done to the head or block is important in calculating the cost of your head gasket repair. Lastly, there are lots of other parts that can be replaced when repairing a head gasket like other gaskets and seals, belts, or the water pump and those parts costs can add up quickly as well. For more information on calculating the head gasket repair costs for your car, check out our article on head gasket repair costs.
To quickly and permanently seal your blown head gasket, go to your local auto parts store and pick up one of BlueDevil’s head gasket sealing products. If you have a small leak or 4 or 6 cylinder engine pick up BlueDevil Pour-N-Go 16oz Head Gasket Sealer. Simply add it to your radiator and your head gasket leak will be sealed as your drive! For larger leaks or 8 cylinder engines, use BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer requires the removal of your vehicle’s thermostat and a complete cooling system flush but is guaranteed to fix your blown head gasket!
Don’t risk getting stranded or damaging your vehicle’s engine by driving with a blown head gasket. Stop by your local auto part store today and pick up the quick and easy solution from BlueDevil!
- AutoZone
- Advance Auto Parts
- Bennett Auto Supply
- CarQuest Auto Parts
- NAPA Auto Parts
- O’Reilly Auto Parts
- Pep Boys
- Fast Track
- Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts Specialists
- S&E Quick Lube Distributor
- DYK Automotive
- Fisher Auto Parts stores
- Auto Plus Auto Parts stores
- Hovis Auto & Truck Supply stores
- Salvo Auto Parts
- Advantage Auto Stores
- Genuine Auto Parts stores
- Bond Auto Parts stores
- Tidewater Fleet Supply
- Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts
- Any Part Auto Parts
- Consumer Auto Parts
Pictures Provided By:
blown_head_gasket_symptoms.jpg – By Alex_Lshchenko – Licensed by Getty Images – Original Link
head_gasket.jpg – by Urfinguss – Licensed by Getty Images – Original Link
BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.
I tried your white label head gasket repair product on an external head gasket leak. I was unsuccessful in repairing the leak. Do you have any advice I should follow, or do I just need to go through the process of getting a refund? Thanks, Jack.
Jack,
Please give our tech line a call at 1.888.863.0426 so we can determine the best steps to take.
Thanks!
My car has some white smoke but not noticeable but my car heats 3/4 to redline when accelerate or up a hill
Jerald-
Please contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 so that we may discuss all of the symptoms you are experiencing. With further information we will be able to make the best recommendation to you.
Thanks!
-BDP
When I took my 2008 saab 9-3 2.0T to autozone to have the check engine light checked out, they said it was most likely a blown head gasket. But I have no symptoms, no white smoke, I haven’t lost a drop of coolant, oil looks fine, no water coming out of the exhaust, car runs fine. So idk if it’s a blown head gasket or what’s throwing the miss fire code?
Jamie-
That is correct. A misfire code, by itself, does not necessarily mean you have a blown head gasket. You can try inspecting the spark plug from the cylinder experiencing the misfire to see if you can identify what is causing the misfire, ie water, oil, fuel. If you are not experiencing any other symptoms, checking the spark plug(s), coil pack would be the best place to start.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1991 s10 that I put a new water pump in it but when I trun on heater it then leaks coolant from factory gasket
Jose-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy S10. Are you saying it only leaks when you put the heater on or that it started leaking only after putting the heat on? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0526 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car has all the symptoms of a blown head gasket for a 2001 Honda civic ls
Julie-
As long as you are not losing water/coolant too quickly, and the vehicle is able to maintain idle for a full 50 minutes, without overheating or stalling out, you would be a great candidate for the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
i have a question white. Smoke from. Pipe can i still u devil sealer
Justice-
White smoke coming out of the tail pipe would be a tell-tale sign of a blown head gasket. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Mechanic says “blown head gasket” but closing shop so doesn’t want to fix it, I’ll have to get under that sucker…. Ford Taurus 2000 no symptoms except when you turn on the air conditioning. My wife and mother took it around town in 84 f degree weather , air on, wife came back car basically exploded by the pulleys. I thought -water pump. antifreeze and water came out as if someone held a closed hose and let it build up, then released it. All of it came out. Mechanic says came out of reservoir cap, not possible, not like that, not that much. If u ever had a H2O pump go out on u, u understand what I mean.
Mechanic says did dye test and it failed? …
“Bipolar Betty” mom’s Ford, doesn’t or hasn’t rather (knock on wood) overheated infact it stayed perfectly in the middle. There’s is NO external leakage, no continuous white smoke, just a small amount when she starts it goes away after a min of driving, so it’s typical moisture (I figure)
There seems to be no loss of power, no lost of fluid from the reservoir. AC still blows cold, but we don’t use it, though my mother did 2 days after the fact and the other car ran perfect.
There have been a few owners of this car and they were all idiots. Several different types of antifreeze has been put in this thing and even with the radiator replaced, thermostat replaced twice, we have clogging issue I believe.
She doe what she wants. With out any symptoms- how did this car “fail a dye test”? Keep in mind the test is 110.0,0?
This has been my mechanic for 20+ years…. Did he lie to me? He would have to disassemble to see an internal leak correct?
Derrick-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Taurus. Based on your description, if the mechanic performed a block dye test, and it showed that combustion/exhaust gases were getting into the cooling system, it would be a sign of head gasket failure or warped/cracked heads. This would fall in line with the rest of your description, as running the a/c will put more strain on the engine and could be contributing to the issue. It may just be that leak is in the “beginning stages,” which would explain why you aren’t seeing the pronounced symptoms of smoke/steam billowing out of the exhaust pipe or the constant overheating.
Being that the mechanic was declining to do the work anyway, it may be worthwhile to take the vehicle to a different shop for a second opinion.
Thank you!
-BDP
My spark chevrolet model 2009 is not starting after overheating can it be casket ? Should I scam the top cylinder?
Bonny-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Spark. Unfortunately, an engine that has overheated could cause a blown head gasket. However, in most cases, you are still able to start the engine, even with a blown head gasket. More than likely, when the engine overheated, it may have caused damage to the fuel system and is not allowing fuel to circulate through the engine. At this point, it may be best to start looking for alternative transportation.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi Jerald Shabi my name is John my reservoir is boiling or bubbling and overheating and both hoses are hot
John-
Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 if you have any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1998 mercury grand marquis overheating, taking a half of jug of coolant a day. My oil is clear, no smoke or water leakage coming from my exhaust pipe and theres no water on the ground. I have a new thermostat, coolant jug and flush but no luck. The overheating is getting worst. Could this be a head gasket problem? If so, which one of your products do you recommend?
Markina-
Yes, it is likely a head gasket issue that you experiencing. We recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
Based on your description, it sounds like your vehicle may be getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with a low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will sometimes notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. BlueDevil will create a permanent seal.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have a 96 mercury Sable no leaks on the ground, no milky substance, but there was a Lil white smoke not much after starting up after sitting for a couple months but cleared up no smoke at all now, but after driving the car for 15, to 20 min., it’s over heating coolant was low, topped off but like it stay at the same coolant level but while driving turn on heater n it seems to cool the car down…could this be head Gasket problem if so what product could I use or what do u suggest…please help thank u in advance
Carl,
Thanks for your question about your 1996 Mercury Sable. If your white smoke stopped and you don’t have milky oil it could simply be that your cooling system needs to be refreshed as you may have a clogged heater core or rust in your system. We would recommend using Blue Devil Radiator Flush (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/radiator-flush-00204/) to clean our your cooling system. Then add new coolant and replace your thermostat and see if that gets your operating temperature and heater back to normal.
Thanks for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
If my van is over heating during this do I turn it off
James-
If the vehicle starts to overheat it should be shut down. Normally, if a vehicle overheats prior to the recommended 50 minute idle being complete, it is an indication that the vehicle may have a leak that is larger than what BlueDevil is intended to fix.
Thank you!
-BDP
Ah, yeah, but it is important to mention that you need to setup the removed plug and coil pack connection to fire to ground while running the car for the 50 minutes…the 20-40 thousand volts coming from the disconnected plug WILL blow your coil pack on that wire and potentially blow the ECM computer driver for that plug!!! How do I know? Trust me it just happened!!!
either that or a leaking gasket on thermostat, or more likely, the water pump
I have a 1985 Toyota van doesn’t leak in the radiator does not leak in the water pump does not leak in the big hoses from the radiator but now I have a leak in the back of the motor to 4 cylinder I do not have I do not have antifreeze in the oil can you help me with this and tell me what it is it’s leaking from the back of the motor thank
Donald-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota. To confirm, are you losing antifreeze or oil? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Tbh,it sounds like your intake manifold could be the culprit. The 4.6 Ford’s Achilles heel.
You have s cracked intake manifold, very common on that vehicle
that’s how mine started out and then all the sudden boom head gasket blown it’s on its way to blow go get the sealant ASAP
Can there be any other reason s lil fluid to come out the tail pipe like I bottomed out and the tail pipe was hanging lose got along time got it welded up n then seen few wet spots one time at the tail pipe
Rachel-
Did you notice the fluid while the vehicle was running or after the vehicle had been run and the engine completely cooled? If it was the latter, this would be normal. If you noticed it with the vehicle running, please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 for further assistance.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2003 buick century I had a leak and it overheated real bad I drove it home about 6 to 8 miles pulling off and letting it cool down several times got leaked fixed no signs of blown head gasket do you think it is OK car is not overheating yet
Danny-
Thank you for asking about your Buick Century. If you are not noticing any symptoms currently, you should be good to go. Only time will tell if the original overheating caused any internal damage that is detrimental to the vehicle’s ability to run properly. We recommend road testing it a few times in short trips, around the block, to see if any issues arise.
Thank you!
-BDP
Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work when your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with a low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will sometimes notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe with 165,000+ miles on it. It does not seem to be overheating, but, yesterday as I was driving the A/c suddenly started blowing warm air and smelled kind of sweet. I turned it off and kept driving. I picked my daughter up from school and when I started the car it made a loud funky sound, but started. Driving home 1 1/2 miles, white smoke started coming out from under the hood. (A LOT of smoke). When I got home I lifted the hood and there was a thick beige/chocolately colored liquid splashed all over the top of my engine and on my fan and it had a sweet smell to it. Could this be a blown head gasket? There was a LOT of smoke. Would this also cause the A/C to blow warm?
April-
Thank you for asking about your Hyundai Santa Fe. Typically, the A/C blowing warm air would not be related to an antifreeze leak. Have you inspected the oil to see if water/coolant is getting in there? Based on your description, it is possible that it is a head gasket leak you are dealing with, however, it is not positively the case. You may want to have the vehicle looked at by a certified ASE mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi,
I have a 2004 Grand Am with the 3.4L V6. It is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure which then spills all over the garage floor. I can pull and inspect the plugs and do the above mentioned with leaving that plug out. My question is, will the 16 oz. pour and go do the trick, or do you think I need to pull the thermostat and flush it and use the higher strength stuff? I’m hoping not to have to pull the thermostat as it is almost as big of a job to do that as it would be to replace the entire head gasket.
Thanks
Carl-
Thank you for asking about your Pontiac Grand Am. A clean, free-flowing system is vital to having success using either of our Head Gasket Sealers. When combustion/exhaust gases are present in the cooling system, the system is being over-pressurized and the circulation of water/coolant is being restricted. For best overall results, we do recommend the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (32 oz. yellow label), which requires the removal of the thermostat and a cooling system flush prior to use. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have vw blue line and the thermostat bis new but it loosing power from from there water level is going hgh as soon as it happens it starts boiling
Mbekezeli-
It’s possible you have an air pocket trapped in the system. Try bleeding it to get rid of the excess air. You can idle the vehicle for 15-20 minutes, with the radiator cap off, and allow it to boil/bubble out, then top it off from there.
Thank you!
-BDP
What!? This could result in a fire if you don’t disconnect the injector to the plug.
I have a 99 Ford f150 4.6withthe bubbles in the reservoir but now won’t start to use the blue devil sealer what can I do??
Peggy-
Thank you for asking about your Ford F-150. In order to get the benefit of using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer, the vehicle would need to be able to start and idle for a full 50 minutes. If you can get the vehicle started, it would be worth while to move forward using the product.
It is possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case. BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
How do I know when my car head gasket is bad?
William-
Generally, the more quickly you lose antifreeze the worse the head gasket has become. Many times you will notice heavy steam out of the tailpipe, milkiness in your engine oil, or overheating. It will usually become very clear when a head gasket is severe.
Thank you!
-BDP
that exactly what I found in my engine when I had a bad head gasket , milkiness in my engine oil, overheating.
I have a 2002 Windstar Van. Started leaking coolant really bad
We tried the kW Head gasket and Block repair. Flush the system and did everything by the instructions and didn’t work. Now the stream is bigger than ever. Already spent close to $90 dollars there is oil getting into the coolant. But as far as we can tell is not getting into oil. Any suggestion that will work?
Reba-
Unfortunately, based on your description it sounds like the leak has gotten to a point that is too large for what BlueDevil is intended and designed to fix.
We recommend taking the vehicle in to a certified mechanic to be looked at and potentially repaired. The only solution may be hard part repair due to how large the leak has become and the fact that oil is entering the cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have oil in my radiator is this do to a blown head gasket and will blue devil work on it
Scott-
Thank you for your question. The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is only intended for water/coolant leaks. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product for stopping oil leaks into the radiator. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello I have an 05 honda civic that I had just bought ..when I bought it everything great but a few days later I noticed that it didn’t had coolant or anything and then I added a bit of water just to clean the inside and then tried flsuhing it but the water wouldn’t come out from the bottom of the radiator what can this be ??????
Erick-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. Was the vehicle overheating at all? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2006 chevy equinox that keeps overheating. Have put in a brand new thermostat and flushed the radiator and it still continues to overheat. Could it be a blown head gasket
Julie-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Equinox. Based on your description, it is tough to say whether the vehicle is overheating because of a blown head gasket. We recommend taking the vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic and having the vehicle properly diagnosed.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1007 e420 smooth idle lots of power..no milky oil no moisture in the exhaust or spark plugs…it overheats..the expansion tank sounds loud and violent…it takes quite a long time for it to overheat but it does every time…both fans come on at extremely high speeds and im not sure about the fan clutch..I have not done a compression test yet but even boiling over from the expansion tank it smooth acceleration and no smoke of any kind..the top radiator hose gets very hot and very pressurized but the bottom hose on the expansion to radiator is cool to the touch..I do not understand how the tank can boil but the hose that delivers the water to the radiator stays cool…it does not seem to be getting heat …no leaks and again at idle it takes 46 to 50 mins to get so hot I have to cut it off…does it sound like a head gasket or a thermostat or water pump or fan clutch ?…that is what I have narrowed it down to…thank you for any help.
Simon-
Thank you for asking about your Mercedes Benz E420. Based on your description, it sounds like it is possibly a faulty thermostat or water pump. The fact that you are not noticing a water/coolant leak, would lead us to believe that it is not a head gasket issue. You can check the thermostat first to make sure it is opening and closing at the proper temperature. If not, replacing the thermostat should correct the problem. If it is, you may want to bring the vehicle to a shop for a possible water pump replacement.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2010 Astra j 1.4 turbo the coolant light came on today but went off 10 seconds later the mechanic told me my head gasket is weak so I was driving around without my thermostat but now I’ve put it back in because it cools down too quick
Please could you give me a response
Thanks
Rahim-
Thank you for asking about your Astra J. Did you have to add coolant for the light to go off? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Blue Devil, my car was running hot and smoke was coming from the car and it was leaking oil. The smoke was coming from the hood and I even added coolant and oil stabilizer and oil to the engine. It also had a really bad rattling sound when I hit the accelerator and now it has an oil leak
Rashad-
Is water/coolant getting into the engine oil? The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (http://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/) would be able to stop the coolant loss you are experiencing, however, it would not be able to stop an oil leak coming from the head gasket, if that is indeed where the oil leak is coming from. Have you had the vehicle diagnosed? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have 2007 suzuki forenza it leaks oil from around valve gasket we had it replaced with a new valve gasket kit .them it started smoking white smoke and running hot .What can I do to stop the leak and smoking
Stephanie-
Thank you for asking about your Suzuki Forenza. White smoke would be an indication that water/antifreeze is burning, where as blue smoke would indicate oil burning. Are you losing antifreeze and oil as well? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1997 Ford 7.3 diesel F-250 and it has gotten where it will run good when it is cold for around 5-7 miles and then it starts jerking and smoking grey, white and black smoke, and then it will quit running, and as soon as it cools down then it runs good for another 5-7 miles, and then it does it all over again, there is no water in my oil, or oil in my water and as long as it is cool, then it does not smoke and runs good, it did not loose power except when the heat guage gets up to medium.
David-
Thank you for asking about your Ford F-250 7.3 Diesel. In order to get the benefit of using the product, the vehicle would need to be able to idle for a full 50 minutes without overheating or stalling out, and you shouldn’t be losing more than about a quart of water/coolant during that 50 minute run. If you can meet those general guidelines, then you would be a great candidate for the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (https://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/). Be sure to follow the cooling system capacity table on the back of the bottle to ensure the proper amount of product is used.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2004 Toyota Corolla I got about a week ago. When I got the vehicle everything was fine the first day the second day gauge kept reading hot but engine didn’t seem to be hot so I replaced the thermostat. Fixed my problem for about 3 to 4 days. Then my check engine light was on so I got it tested and it came back that the number 2 cylinder coil was misfiring so I replaced plug n coil. Engine sounded way better and there was no misfire. I let vehicle ide for awhile maybe 30 mins or so and the gauge starting reading hot but yet raditr cap and engine n components are cool. Heater wouldn’t work. I let engine cool about 2 hours and opened radiator and topped of with water. (Which for some reason seemed to be halfway gone) then I left engine idle to make sure all components were filed with water before putting cap back on. Once water level was full I replaced cap and let the engine idle for another 15 mins. After the 15 mins white smoke starts to come out the tailpipe(no smoke whatsever before hand) I turned car off and drunk it back up. This time the muffler seems to have small air sounding pockets coming about every 2 to 3 seconds and a bunch of white smoke is coming out. The check engine light started blinking for a few seconds and then remained solid. I need some help have had vehicle for a week tomorrow(friday) and I pay notes on it!!!!
Brittany-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Corolla. Did you purchase an extended warranty? If so, it would be worth it to bring the vehicle into a shop for a proper diagnosis and remedy. Based on your description, it is possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case.
BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car is Saturn 2000 it overheat within 10mins of idleness does it mean I will need to change my head gasket
Can’t a head gasket be doubled thank u
Mathias-
Thank you for asking about your Saturn. A vehicle can over heat for a number of different reasons, some are not even related to the head gaskets. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1997 Jeep Cherokee. It overheats at idle but cools down when driving. I took the thermostat out to allow constant water flow. The only symptom I have of a head gasket issue is bubbles in the overflow tank if it gets hot. There’s no smoking, no discoloration on the oil etc. Thoughts?
Heather,
Thanks for your question about your 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Usually, to diagnose a blown head gasket you want to have more than 1 symptom. It’s certainly possible that you’ve got bubbles in the overflow tank due to a bad radiator cap or air in your system. We would recommend checking your radiator cap to make sure it is keeping the system under pressure and also checking the function of your cooling fan and shroud to make sure it is properly moving air through the radiator.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a dodge neon 05 and it doesn’t leak or smoke or nothing but it overheats usually when it’s slow traffic or on stops. What can it be? Can the head gasket be blown?
Cynthia-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Neon. Based on your description, it does not necessarily sound like the overheating issue you’re having is head gasket related. Unfortunately, a vehicle can overheat for a number of different reasons. If you are not seeing a leak or noticing a loss of water/coolant, the best place to start would check to see that the thermostat is functioning properly. A thermostat that is stuck closed would cause the vehicle to start overheating. You can remove it and place it in boiling water to make sure it is opening up at the proper temperature. If the problem persists, you may want to bring the vehicle into a certified ASE mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2005 dodge grand caravan and it has all the signs of blown head gasket. what should I do?
Nicole-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Grand Caravan. What are the symptoms the vehicle is having? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Replace your radiator cap !!! Had a Honda over heating at stop lights but was fine when moving with no stops. Replace everything to do within cooling system and it was 5.00 radiator cap !!!!
I have a 2006 ford explorer coolant is leaking when it runs and parked but not when it’s off. Blows white smoke but not much and sometimes feels like it doesn’t wanna accelerate or atleast a hard time.
Ryan-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Explorer. As long as you aren’t losing coolant too quickly, you would be a good candidate for the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Car never overheated or no white smoke or milky white substance in oil. Radiator hose popped off of radiator breaking connection on radiator. Radiator replaced and thermostat for good measure. Coolant system filled and air bled. While running car the with overflow cap on, hose got hard, build up of pressure and blew my cabin heater coil. Is this a head gasket issue and which one of your products would work to seal it?
Fig-
It sounds like the vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. We would recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thanks,
BDP
Thank you for the response.
IN A DIESEL ENGINE I SAW HUGE BLACK SMOKE .LOT OF WATER LEAKAGING NEAR HEAD GASKET. SOME TIME LATER ENGINE SLOWELY DOWN AND FINELY STOPED,WHAT IS THE REASON?
Sahadev-
It sounds like you have an imbalance in the air to fuel ratio – too much fuel to not enough air. This means either too much fuel is being added to the mix or there’s not enough oxygen being supplied to burn the fuel.
The most common causes of this are faulty injectors, a faulty injector pump, a bad air filter (causing not enough oxygen to be supplied), a bad EGR valve (causing the valves to clog) or even a bad turbocharger. Some of these are easy fixes while others may require you to visit a certified mechanic. We hope this helps.
-BDP
Ok.I added a new oil sendind unit to my car(2000 Malibu). Now Iam adding coolant to my car every week. What seems to be the problem?
Lorraine,
Thanks for your question about your 2000 Malibu. We would recommend trying to identify where the coolant is leaking. Our leak stop products cannot seal a leak in a bad hose so if you can find the leak coming from a hose, we would recommend simply replacing that hose. If you find the leak coming from a gasket, the radiator or engine block you can use BlueDevil Radiator and Block Sealer (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/radiator-block-sealer-00205/) to seal the leak.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hi I have a 93 honda prelude car doesn’t over heat. But I’m losing alot of coolant and adding alot of coolant every other day. and the reservoir tank completely empty. Under the car shows alot of coolant but it drys up never hits the ground no white smoke from exhaust pipe no signs of oil in the radiator or under the cap. Could it be head gasket?
Neuda,
Thanks for your question about your Honda Prelude. The leak you’re describing could be an external head gasket leak meaning the water is leaking out of the head gasket rather than into your engine’s cylinders. Usually, if this is the case you’ll notice steam coming from the head after driving for more than 10 minutes. If this is the case, we’d recommend using BlueDevil Pour-N-Go (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/pour-n-go-head-gasket-sealer-00209/) to seal the leak.
It is also possible that the leak is coming from one of your hoses so it may be worth checking the condition of your radiator hoses and the hoses going to your heat core.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
there is white smoke coming from under the hood an it jerks an sputters an dies an i dont know what is wrong with my van its a 99 murcury villager
Chasty,
It sounds like you’ve got a big coolant leak and possibly some other problems. Your car probably is not safe to drive the way it is so we would recommend having it towed to a mechanic for a diagnosis. If you decide to do the work yourself, we would recommend letting the car cool all the way down, popping the hood, then starting it and seeing if you can find the coolant leak quickly. If you can get that fixed quickly, you may be able to have better luck diagnosing the rest of the problems you’re having.
Thanks for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have 1995″Mercedes 220 . Overheat when I pull a small caravan.
Jan-
Thank you for asking about your Mercedes 220. Have you noticed any white smoke/steam coming from the exhaust pipe or water getting into your engine oil? Are you noticing any issues when not putting the engine under load? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello,
I’ve witnessed the following symptoms with my engine:
-an overheating engine
-significant loss of cool with identifiable leak
No:
– coolant leaking externally from bellow the exhaust manifold
-milky white discharge in my motor oil (not a lick),
-white smoke from the exhaust pipe
-bubbles in the radiator or coolant overflow tank
will this product be able to solve the following problems?
Ian-
As long as the vehicle will idle for a full 50 minutes without overheating or stalling out and will not lose more than about 1 US quart of water during a 50 minute idle then there is a great chance that BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will work.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 02 Dodge Ram 1500 with 97,000 miles on it and it’s been a good truck up until now. I first noticed it lacking power. Then came the check engine light. Now 3 days later I noticed a lot of white smoke and it running extremely rough! So I’m almost certain that’s it’s the head gasket… Thoughts…?
Joe-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Ram 1500. It sounds like the vehicle may be getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
I was wondering if I should do the same. I have a 2003 Dakota with a 4.7 v8 and mine has milky oil, combustion in coolant, white smoke, and overheats pretty quickly now. All this came about in about a 25 mile time frame. Not all 25 miles at once either. Probably about 5 miles at a time because I was testing it. All of a sudden though the white smoke got rediculous so I parked it. Been parked for about 2 weeks now. Just needing some (before) rebuild advise. Thanks
Hexg-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Dakota. Based on your description, yes, the recommendation would be the same. You would want to remove the spark plug from the affected cylinder to reduce the amount of pressure building up, thus allowing the product the best chance of circulating and sealing properly. In addition, you would also want to change the oil before and after the BlueDevil procedure.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1998 ford expedition will this product work for my truck aswell???
Rosalinda-
Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is compatible for use in your Ford Expedition. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Some one put some blueDevil in to my antifreeze and now my engine light is on what damage did I do to my motor
Kathy-
What were the symptoms your vehicle was having? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2012chevy equinox that has white smoke coming from the tailpipe and oil dripping on the belt please help me find out what this problem may be .
Christy-
It sounds like you may have multiple leaks going on with your Chevy. Please contact us at 888-863-0426 so that we discuss some possible options in getting the leaks repaired.
Thank you!
-BDP
Used it try and fix my 2006 Volkswagen Jetta tdi 2.0t diesel seemed to work properly but when I decided to test drive it it felt as if It was sputtering so I turned around to head back home due to feeling unsafe it proceeded to shut off and hasn’t started since any thoughts?
Tony-
Thank you for asking about your Volkswagen Jetta. Are you still noticing a loss of water/coolant? The product wouldn’t instantaneously seal, so you still would have lost a little water/coolant during the 50-minute run. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 for further assistance.
Thank you!
-BDP
It works like a charm so make sure you follow the directions. Money well spent in my experience. Good luck
What if I didn’t run my heater the whole time? Will that cause issues?
As long as your vehicle didn’t overheat their shouldn’t be any problems.
Feel free to call Tech Support at 1.888.863.0426 if you have any other questions.
What if your car overheats during pour and go process
Your car needs to be able to idle for 50 minutes without overheating to complete the installation. Please call our tech line at 1.888.863.0426 for assistance.
If the car over before the process will it not work if u try it again a little later
You must be able to maintain a 50 minute idle for the product to work correctly. If you need further assistance please give our tech line a call at 1.888.863.0426.
-BDP
Ford 2006 F-250 turbo diesel that is loosing coolant antifreeze maybe 2-3 cups per 200 miles but pulling a 5th wheel camper. does not overheat but I am concerned of a head gasket problem?
The leak could be coming from anywhere within the cooling system. I would diagnose the issue as a head gasket leak prior to installation but, if you are definitely loosing coolant, BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would be the appropriate product.
Only sign is I did a oil change and came out lookin like chocolate milk what does that mean is my head gasket blown
Lucas-
Yes, it sounds like you have a blown head gasket. We recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. To ensure best results you should change your oil before and after the BlueDevil process.
-BDP
I have a 1994 Mazda 626 ; no white smoke;no water in oil; but oil is in radiator; oil level constantly goes down.
Floyd-
Thank you for asking about your Mazda 626. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended to stop oil from getting into the radiator. A hard part repair may be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
do I have to remove the thermostat and why?
Yes, to create a free flowing system.
-BDP
toyota 2e engine already removed thermostat. yet, still fast to get heatened.pls help what to do.
Jeffrey,
Please contact our technical support team at 888-863-0426 so that we may assist you further.
-BDP
To continue waiting on your response and maybe not related but puzzling, I live in Miami, Fl. and we seldom use the heater, if ever. In trying to adjust idle problem, I tried tweaking and adjusting the Throttle Position Sensor but had no success in many attempts. I then tried turning on the heater and let it run for a few minutes at 1200 RPM. The idle was fluctuating. The engine started bucking and jerking. Saw smoke rising from the engine that smelled of something burnt… Then, then, then the engine started smoothing out and started idling much better and not wanting to die out.
??? How can turning on the heater do this? Trapped air bubbles??? WHAT???
Cat5
I would advise taking your car to someone certified that can look under the hood… It seems like you have more things going on then normal it would be difficult to diagnose online.
-BDP
Radiator hose breaks how quick can the head crack?
We need some more information to answer this properly. Click here to submit your question to our mechanic.
-BDP
My car overheats but needle only goes a lil over half on gauge. No smoke no water in oil. Maybe every 2days have to add water to radiator. What seems to be problem?
Walter-
It is very possible that you have a blown/leaking head gasket. The fact that you are losing coolant says that there is definitely a leak within your cooling system whether it be a bad head gasket, leaking heater core, leaking freeze plug(s), or a cracked block.
We recommend adding the proper amount of the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. This will help stop the coolant loss and in turn prevent your vehicle from overheating.
Thank You!
-BDP
I was driving my car quite a lot today and when I turned it off I could head bubbling in my radiator. Also I noticed that there was a thin line of liquid along the front of my engine between the cylinder head and block. My coolant level has been reducing slightly over the past few months and I always top it up. There isn’t any white smoke from the exhaust or doesn’t appear to be an cloudiness in the oil. Do you think this is a head gasket problem? Is bluedevil a solution to this problem. Thanks
If you losing coolant, BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would be the appropriate product for your situation.
-BDP
Long story short- radiator blew 3 years ago. Put a stop leak in (don’t remember what kind). Replaced radiator. Overheated die to blown hoses. Replaced hoses. Overheated again. Noticed that coolant had what looked like oil on radiator cap. Replaced blown hose and flushed system. Problem seemed fixed, until yet another hose blew. Sludge came back. Seems to be symptom of blown head gasket, but no white smoke from trail pipe, no overheating, no coolant loss, and no bubbles in overflow. Cause of the problem? 97 civic. No coolant in oil. Suggestions?
Nicole-
It sounds like you are getting oil pushed into the coolant. The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is made specifically for coolant leaks. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product that will stop oil from entering the coolant.
I have a 2005 ford f350 6.0 diesel I already replaced the STY headbolt with studs. I am getting pressure which is causing puking only under high boost. I have checked pressure with a gauge and am sure it is coming thru my head gasket, will blue devil repair this problem as its pressure out of the combustion chamber into my coolant system?
Thanks
Mike
Mike-
We would not recommend using the product in your Ford Diesel. In situations with a gasoline engine we would recommend pulling the spark plug from the effected cylinder to relieve some of the pressure blowing into the cooling system. However, because diesel engines use glow plugs you will be unable to use that method.
Feel free to contact us at 1.888.863.0426 with any further questions.
All I have is a small coolant leak, I was moving my car at school and ran it on a cold start, what could be the cause to the leak? The leak is dripping somewhere under my Timing Belt, I have a 1991 Mazda Miata.
Joshua-
It is likely that your water pump is leaking. You should first have the water pump check out and if it turns out it is not leaking then it is possibly a head gasket leak.
If the Mazda is diagnosed with a head gasket leak then we recommend using 8 – 10 ounces of the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
Feel free to contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 with any further questions.
-BDP
I have a 2003 Montero Mitsubi tshi that is leaking coolant fast I have tried blue devil permanent sealer once should I have it done again. It stop but start back leaking about 3 weeks later thanks
Barbara,
Thanks for your question about your Montero. We would recommend you try calling our technical support department at 888.863.0426 to give them the details of your leak so they can help you know where to go from here.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a 2004 Pontiac grand am it starts up up I think I have water leaking into my engine the oil is milky will this product still work???
Adrian,
Yes, our product will work for the situation you described. I would change your oil before AND after the application.
Please feel free to give our tech line a call if you have any questions. 1.888.863.0426
-BDP
Do I use the whole bottle or half
Adrian,
Please give our tech line a call at 1.888.863.0426 so we can assist you. We need to know the size of your vehicle prior to giving a recommendation.
-BDP
I drive 30 miles to work and my temp. gauge moves about a 1/4 of an inch heat not as hot as it once was,when I get home the engine is hot, hoses are hard,every 2 or 3 weeks I have to add about a 1/2 quart of coolant, engine lite is on, reads temp. sensore which no one can locate could this be a head gasket problem thanks h.logins
Harold,
Thanks for your question. It’s possible that you’ve got a blown head gasket, but it sounds more like you’ve got a blocked heater core and maybe a slow leak because of that. We would recommend starting by performing a very thorough cooling system flush. Start by draining all the fluids and removing the thermostat. Remove the hoses going to your heater core and try forcing some water through using a garden hose. Try this both directions until the water flows through easily and comes out clear from both directions. Then use BlueDevil Radiator Flush (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/radiator-flush-00204/) to flush your cooling system. Replace your thermostat and refill the system with coolant and see if that gets your heat and operating temperature back to normal.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I just bought a 2005 Toyota camry le with the 2.4L and I have replaced the spark plugs and the 2 coilpacks that has been the original ones that came with the car and the other two have been replaced but I have bought the two new coilpacks and cylinder 2 and 3 are still misfiring would blue devil seal the head and get rid of the 2 misfiring cylinders or should I replace the headgasket and be done with it.
Larry-
Do you know if water/coolant is getting into the spark plugs or oil? Is the vehicle overheating at all? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have holden jackaroo wagon 1998 model it has water coming out of the exhaust pipe ,what does it mean?
Irene-
Thank you for asking about your Holden Jackaroo. Is the vehicle overheating at all? Is the water coming out of the exhaust pipe only while you are running the vehicle or is it after you have shut it off and the engine has cooled down? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2000 Olds bravado that I just bought. Noticed the other day that the coolant was leaking, my son added more coolant, leaked out again, seemed to overflow. My son replaced radiator, but still coolant leaks. Temp dial showed upwards of 260, drove it home, hood was hot, sounded thing things boiling, my son drained all coolant, then replaced radiator. Temp still very high, what should I do.
Melissa,
Have you checked out this article? https://gobdp.com/blog/car-coolant-going/
With what you’ve explained, You definitely have a leak somewhere else in your cooling system.
-BDP
Hey I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L and it was running fine no problems but but the oil was milky and a mechanic recommended fiber lock to me so I bought it and added it and followed the directions but ever since my truck has been overheating. Why could that be!
Austin-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Ram. Based on your description, the cooling system may be clogged or restricted with particles from the previous product you had used. We recommend having the cooling system flushed with our BlueDevil Radiator Flush, found here: http://store.gobdp.com/radiator-flush-00204/ . The Radiator Flush services systems up to 3 gallons, so you would need 2 bottles for your vehicle.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
My Jeep was towed to the automotive shop because it was overheating nine days later after they replaced the radiator.Prior to the radiator being replaced, I had a remanufactured air conditioner installed in my Jeep. While driving with the air conditioner on, my Jeep overheated and radiator fluid spilled all over the ground. I immediately parked it and turned off the engine. The tow truck driver said he did not find that the radiator had any leaks in it or even in the hoses. After my Jeep was at the shop for over 2 weeks, the shop told me they fixed the overheating problem with a sealant. How do I know if a gasket sealant was actually put in my Jeep Liberty? When the automotive shop picked me up in my vehicle, he did not have the air conditioner running and I asked why the air conditioner was not on, he said he liked to drive with the window opened. I reached over and turned on the air conditioner and the Jeep seamed to be running rough. By the time I dropped off the tech at his business and was driving home, the Jeep overheated. The automotive shop told me my vehicle was fixed with a sealant. The shop that has it now told me it overheated because of the fan was not working.
Janet-
Depending on which product was possibly used it may be very difficult to determine whether or not a sealant was ever added to the system. Many of the products out there would not necessarily be traceable after application.
Feel free to contact us with any further questions.
I have a 1995 oldsmobile cutlass supreme 3.1 v6. Was in the drive thru the other day and cars temp. Starting rising and I smelled antifreeze. I pulled over opened the hood and it was dripping from water pump. Replaced water pump but the is still a stream of antifreeze leaking from side of the block. Would blue devil be a choice in my situatuon?
Jesse-
Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would be recommended for sealing the leak on your vehicle.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
I have a 2004 Infiniti fx 35. When am accelerating on highway,the heat gauge goes up to over 3/4. The coolant reservoir gets filled up with coolant which is boiling and spilling over . Car does not overheat in traffic or when am driving at low speed.What could be the cause ?. Just replaced the radiator but the problem persists.
Mike-
Thank you for asking about your Infiniti FX35. It sounds like the vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Due to your vehicle only has a reservoir/overflow rather than a radiator cap, instead of pouring BlueDevil through the reservoir/overflow, with the car off and engine cold you should disconnect the top radiator hose and add the product there. Once it has been added reconnect the hose and start the idle from that point.
Thank you!
-BDP
Yes, and make sure you connect the coil output to the removed plug and ground it to the engine during the 50 minute run….If you do not you will blow the coil pack and most likely trash your ECM driver for the same cylinder…Trust me, I have direct experience with this issue!!!
Did you try this out? I have the same problem and was wondering if this worked for your fx.
I have a 98 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4 engine,4×4,first I noticing when I try to start it it takes maybe 3 or 4 attempts,when it does finally start I notice white smoke from the exhaust with liquid leaking also,the oil cap has a milky substance,I’ve noticed the anti freeze is real low and bubbly I also hear a ticking sound when it idles,do you think its the head gasket and how great of a product is BLUE DEVIL HEAD GASKET SEALANT??? The mechanic said it would cost about $1400 to fix a blown head gasket is that the going price???
Derek-
It sounds like your head gasket leak is fairly extreme. In order to use the BlueDevil your vehicle needs to be able to maintain an idle for a solid 50 minutes without stalling out or overheating. If it can do so then we would recommend trying the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
It takes my car five to six time to crank and its starts with a rough idle then it smooths out. I took it to the place and put it on the computer and the codes were cylinders 3 4 5 6 misfire and bank 2 sensor 1. And i have a slow coolant leak. A mechanic told me that i have a head gasket leak cause white smoke was coming out when the gas was pushed. Will a head gasket cause it to have a hard time cranking? And make it jerk, and spotter and give those codes? Should i try the blue devil?
Jeff-
It sounds like you may have some additional issues beyond a blown head gasket that is causing these symptoms in your vehicle.
In order for a head gasket leak to have any effect on the vehicle being able to start it would have to be an extreme leak or multiple leaks causing a great amount of fluid to foul out the spark plugs.
You may want to have a professional re-diagnose the problem or problems at hand so that you may make an educated decision what your next step should be.
it sounds like you may have a vacuum line leak
I have a 1997 328i bmw
It overheats, there’s no smoke from exhaust but there is smoke coming from the valve cover area that seeps through the inside of the car. I replaced the fan that had a few missing blades from a loose shroud. But it still overheats.. I do see a little oil leak around Valve cover..
Kenneth,
We would suggest having the vehicle diagnosed by a professional so that you are able to determine what is causing the overheat. A defective fan switch, fan clutch, clogged or restricted cores, heavy scale and sediment deposits, or systems jellied from old antifreeze are some of the possible reasons you are overheating. Once you have determined the cause you will be able to make an educated decision on what the next steps should be.
-BDP
I have a 2000 mazda mpv losing coolant but no signs of a leak was running hot till I changed thermostat and radiator cap now just losing coolant will empty entire reservoir within 2 miles
Peter-
In general, as long as the vehicle will not lose more than 1 quart of water during the 50 minute idle then you should have no problem sealing it. The fact that your reservoir is emptying within a 2 mile drive leads us to believe that it may lose more than 1 quart during the recommended 50 minute idle. You may test it but it sounds like the Mazda may need a hard part repair.
-BDP
After a radiator replacement my Volvo was blowing coolant vapor from the exhaust and there was coolant in the motor oil. I used a half bottle of Blue Devil yellow label, changing the motor oil before and after, and the white smoke has stopped but there is still some coolant leaking into the oil. Should I attempt a second treatment?
Tim-
Yes, we recommend running the exact same process, including changing oil before and after, a 2nd time. This should take care of the leak that remains.
Feel free to contact us at 888.863.0426 with any further questions.
I have an ’06 Dodge Charger 3.5 that’s been overheating. Radiator cap was pressure tested and no leaks were found. Replaced thermostat, but still having an issue. Car will sit at idle for 2hrs and temperature stays normal. After driving for about an hour it runs hot. No white smoke from tailpipes. No leaks. Fans are working properly. Car doesn’t run rough, nor does it ever have a cranking issue. Any suggestions, and should I this product?
Tony-
There are a number of different things that could cause a vehicle to overheat. You may want to have your Dodge further diagnosed by a professional so that you are able to pinpoint the cause of it overheating. Once you are able to do so, you will have a better idea on what your options are.
When I was getting a different repair, the mechanic informed me that the head gasket in my 07 Subaru Legacy was leaking.
I bought the blue devil product (blue/yellow bottle) but I don’t currently have any of the above symptoms of a blown head gasket.
Should I use it anyway?
Will it repair the leak that appears to be in the early stages?
Matt,
If a certified mechanic has diagnosed your Subaru with a blown/leaking head gasket then the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would be appropriate to use at this point. BlueDevil is more effective on leaks that are caught in the early stages as opposed to a leak that has become extreme.
We would recommend the use of our product for your Subaru. Keep in mind, you will only need to add 16 ounces into your cooling system.
Need some help here, I’ll try to be brief.
1999 Camry, 4 cylinder with 180k miles overheated about a year ago. I changed the radiator because I saw visible cracks in the top. Problem solved for about one year.
I recently drove about 4 hours non-stop on a hot Florida summer day, on the return trip the car overheated and stalled hot. I may have been too hasty in topping off with water and regretfully added it to the engine while it was still hot (I was running late and wasn’t thinking).
Soon afterwards the check engine light came on, read it as “cylinder 3 misfire”, car developed a rough idle that felt as though the car would stall but the car ran smooth above 10-15MPH. Took it to a mechanic, they changed all spark plugs and coils saying that was the cause. Problem not solved. Brought it back, they changed out the EGR valve and solenoid. Still not solved, actually worse rough idle.
After these repairs the car overheated within about 30 minutes of driving and overheated within 20min after topping off coolant. I removed spark plugs and discovered green coolant on the plugs and coolant on the oil dipstick. I have not driven the car since.
I removed the thermostat and found it to be brown/rust colored but I otherwise found it unremarkable. I don’t know what it would look like if it failed. I do not know if there is white smoke out of the exhaust, however, there was white vapor coming out of the oil cap when I removed it.
Is your product indicated here? Is there further investigation I should do? If your product is indicated, should I change oil before and or after using your product? Anything else I should consider?
Thank you
James-
Please contact our technical support team at 888.863.0426 and we would be happy to assist you.
-BDP
My 95 acura integra ls v tech has overheated on me twice(I was using water and no type of coolant/antifreeze. Once because a water pump blew, and the second time the radiator reservoir would become extremely hot and cause the engine to stop. I flushed the system, replaced the pump, and even replaced the thermostat and topped it with coolant. After this my car turns on but works at very low rpms and it seems like it’s about to die out, and huge puffs of white smoke come from the exhaust. I also notice some tiny spits of water coming from the engine, possibly the head gasket. So I’m guessing the head gasket is cracked, would this product help me out?
Javier-
As long as your vehicle will be able to idle for a full 50 minute period without stalling out or overheating then the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would be a great solution for repairing your Acura.
Feel free to contact our tech support team at 888.863.0426 with any further questions.
If my fan is running on low speed do I need to fix that first before using your sealant that I bought? I have a 02 Jeep Cherokee 8 cylinder.
Jenn-
Yes, you should address the defective fan issue first. Once that has been solved you will be able to use the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
I have a Hyundai Galloper (engine Mitsubishi 2.5l Diesel). Replaced head 2-3 years ago. Then replaced head gasket about 1 year ago (faulty work installing new one?). All OK for many months. Then Turbo went out. Replaced about 3 months ago. All of a sudden (this week), car overheats, water goes from radiator to reservoir. Could your product help?
Tom-
Based on what your description, it sounds like the vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any further questions.
-BDP
I have a 2002 Oldsmobile alero an it was overheating so I got new resevor thermostat an flushed the radiator and it was still overheating now I got water an white smoke coming out of my tail pipe an car wanna turn off. I was using water not antifreeze because it would just spill out so my oil is watery not milky please help me What should I do.. thanks Christa
Kendall-
As long as your vehicle would be able to idle for a full 50 minute period then we would recommend using our product, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. You will want to change your oil before and after the BlueDevil process.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
-BDP
So I just bought a ford probe and have been driving it for a week, no overheating or coolant loss. But a very small amount of smoke coming from the middle of the engine. Kept driving it. Then the other morning I drove it for 10 minutes not long enough to even warm up and it ran fine, got home, turned the car off and heard a light trickle and looked under my car to see liquid dripping. It dripped down and across the rest of my parking spot. It was neon green. There’s no coolant in my radiator now. And we poured water in and it leaked out and we didn’t drive it so I think it’s a radiator hose somewhere. But others say head gasket. Do you have an opinion? Would it hurt to use the blue devil stuff if its not a badbhead?
Katie-
You should not use the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer as a preventative maintenance. We recommend that you check all of the hoses and their connections to make sure the leak is not coming from a loose hose.
If you do confirm that the head gasket is leaking then we definitely recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
You may contact us at 888-863-0426 with any further questions.
-BDP
I have a 2005 Duramax diesel diagnosed with head gasket problems by 2 different shops. I loose a little coolant but no overheating. Help.
Deb-
You will not always experience the overheating symptom when you have a blown or leaking head gasket. Based on the fact that you are loosing coolant, our guess is that you are in the early stages of a blown head gasket. We recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer to help remedy the problem at hand.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
-BDP
I have a 2000 audi a6 2.7t. is this product compatible with my car?
Kevin-
Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer can be used safely in your Audi.
-BDP
I just bought a 98 buick century with the 3.1 v6. I have a slight suspicion there could possibly be oil getting into the antifreeze or vise versa. Also have a Heater core leak. But if there isn’t for sure a head gasket problem. Will hurt to still run a bottle of your product and if so which one?
Cam-
Unfortunately, the products that we manufacture for head gasket leaks will not work when oil is being introduced into the cooling system. The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is made specifically to stop coolant leakage.
At this point we recommend that you confirm whether or not oil is present in the cooling system. If you find out that it is not and you only have coolant entering the oil then BlueDevil will be a solution for you. Once you have had a chance to look further into your issue at hand please contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 so that we may discuss a possible solution.
Thank You,
-BDP
I have a 2006 Chevy Equinox and it keeps overheating, I have to keep the heat on to make sure it doesn’t overheat. There is ne white Cloud in my oil and there is no fluid on the ground under my car. Would this be from the Head Gasket?
Ashley-
There can be a number of reasons that your vehicle is overheating. We have previously posted an article about this specifically. it can be seen here: https://gobdp.com/blog/car-overheating/
This will hopefully help you troubleshoot and pinpoint the problem at hand.
Feel free to contact us with any further questions down the road.
-BDP
I have only babbles in the expansion tank of my yards verse diesel no overheating or smokes or even no leak in the coolant .should .i asked a tech.and he said i have problem with head basket.so should i use this product to stop the babbles. Thanks
Sir-
Please contact us at 888-863-0426 so that we may discuss your symptoms in more detail. We will be able to make possible suggestions to you so that you have success with our product.
-BDP
I have a 2005 Ford Explorer I just replaced all spark plugs and wires and radiator.. Lots of white smoke from tail pipe and codes are reading cylinder 4 misfire still after replacing plugs and wire…. A slight ticking /knocking sound comes from engine when first starting up then it idles down and goes away…. Not over heating and no leaks should I use sealant?
It sounds like you are having a few different symptoms of possible engine problems. You may want to have a certified mechanic take a look at the car to diagnose the problem or problems at hand. Once you have a diagnosis you will be able to better decide what some of your options are to get the vehicle running smoothly.
-BDP
Hello..i have a 2003 buick rendezvous cxl…as right now im assuming that the vechicle have a blown head gasket…as its showing some sign…thick white smoke coming from the pipe..bubbling coolant on the reservoir..would this product will able to fixed the problem? Guaranteed?
Vin-
Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would be a great candidate for sealing your leak. It sounds like the vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure.
To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly.
Our products do carry a 100% money-back-guarantee.
Thank You,
-BDP
I have a 98 buick leaking coolant, and over heating at first I thought it was the radiator until I noticed the leak close to the top of the engine by the cap for the oil. (please excuse the crud wording Iam no where good with cars) The radiator is full but the resevoir seems to be empty anytime I check. Its leaking at an alarming rate now. All the hoses seems to be good. Iv only just head about a head gasket and seen that the problems are very similar.Please Help.
Korina-
We recommend that you use the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer to help with your coolant loss.
Feel free to contact our tech support team with any questions you may have.
-BDP
I have a 11991 Buick regal car overheated because of lack of coolant filled it and car did not overheat but is still losing cool and it drips out on the front passenger side and now the heat is not working it blows out cold air coolant is not milky like and no white smoke but will a blown head gasket cause this and can I use the gasket sealer
Channelling-
Yes, we recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. This should have no problem stopping your coolant loss.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any further questions.
-BDP
I have a 2000 Chevy Malibu we changed almost every thing on my car new radiator, O2 sencer, reservoir, thermostat n now it’s kicking out white smoke but no sign of water or coolant in oil could this b a blown head gasket if so would the blue devil gasket sealant work on my car oh n I do leaks my coolant from my car
Michelle-
Yes, your Malibu would be a great candidate for using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. The symptoms you have described are very common in the early stages of a blown head gasket.
Feel free to contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 with any further questions.
-BDP
I have a 2003 pontiac grand am 3.4 litre .it over heated on my way home from a 80 mile trip , I was told it was a head gasket there was water in the oil , I flushed the cooling system and added bars gasket sealant did not work. also change the oil .turns out the thermastat was not opening .now there is water coming from the tailpipes , as much as I can put in the resivior , it just keeps coming out .will blue devil fix all this ?
Reuben-
Yes, BlueDevil has worked in situations similar to what you are experiencing with your Pontiac. You will definitely need to flush the cooling system prior to starting the process. For best results, you should also change the engine oil before and after the BlueDevil process.
Feel free to contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 with any questions you may run into.
Thank You,
BDP
I actually called your tech support about my 2003 pontiac & I was told it will not work .now who shouldI believe ? As I said the car starts but does not hold the water or coolant. It just spits it out the tail pipes .so will it work or not ? ( Reuben )
Reuben-
The vehicle must be able to idle for a full 50 minutes without stalling out or overheating in order for this to be able to work. The vehicle also should not be losing more than about 1 quart of water during the 50 minute run or you will be losing the product to quickly. Based on your description, it sounds like you may have a leak that is too extreme.
-BDP
I have a 1995 Volvo that has had an oil leak, i have just been watching it by checking the oil levels. Today i noticed white milky in the oil. so it looks like the coolant is mixing with the oil. I have not been losing much coolant, just oil and the car runs great. Is your product a good choice at this point to use?
Teresa-
It sounds like you may have a couple of different leaks going on with the vehicle. The BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak will help stop the oil loss.
The coolant getting into the oil may be a head gasket leak. For this, you may use our BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer; you will want to change the oil before and after the process to ensure best results.
Please contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 with any further questions.
Thanks,
-BDP
I have an 03 jag s- type 4.2 v8–my car runs roughly no water in oil no white smoke not sure about tail pipes if it does very little i am loosing coolant about a 3-4 quarts on a drive . i took to mechanic he said i was loosing compression on 3 cylinders on same side ? said it COULD be a blown head but wasnt definite he would have to tear deeper into block. is my car a candidate would it hurt to use if its not a blown head
Trav-
As long as you will not lose more than about 1 quart of coolant/water during a 50 minute idle then BlueDevil would be a great option for you. If your car is losing more than that then you may need to look at getting the hard part repair.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any further questions.
-BDP
My 91 Silverado has all the symptoms of a blown head gasket (white smoke exhaust, bubbles in reservoir, water in oil, overheating) but overnight my coolant system is maintaining pressure. If I actually had a blown head gasket, would it not lose pressure? Possibly something more serious like cracked head?
Tim-
In some instances the cooling system will still maintain pressure even if you have a blown head gasket; it is also a possibility that the head is either warped or cracked. Based on your symptoms we recommend that you use the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer to help repair your vehicle.
Feel free to contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
-BDP
I just got an oil change and they said my oil was leaking behind my engine and that I needed a new head gasket. Can I use this sealer to fix the problem?
Tamara-
Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product that is intended to stop leaking oil from in or around the head gasket. We hope you are able to find an easy solution.
All The Best,
BDP
I have a Nissan 2006 Altima I opened the hood a couple days ago realized I was low on oil and the coolant overflow tank was almost empty. I put in 3 quarts of oil & filed the overflow tank to the MAX line. The next day white steam or smoke started to come out of my exhaust pipe. I checked oil stick and oil cap no sign of a coffee cream milky substance. I let car cool took radiator cap off cranked car to see if the cooling fluid would splash everywhere or at least bubble, but It didn’t. My check engine light comes on and goes off every other month and my car has never overheated. The white smoke doesn’t smell sweet if I put my hand up to the exhaust it actually does smell like steam and condensation is visible on my hand. Could this still be a problem with my head gaskets. A mechanic told me that don’t worry its steam and that it will eventually disappear, but it hasn’t and now when I crank up my car I see a cloud and when I drive I see the smoke in my rear view mirror. Will Blue Devil Pour n Go fix this white steam/ smoke problem?
Wendy-
Yes, it sounds like you do have a head gasket issue. We do recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer to repair this problem. You will want to change the oil before and after the BlueDevil process to ensure best results.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Thanks,
-BDP
I have a 1996 Honda Accord 2.2L. My coolant leaks out only into the coolant overflow. Seems to be pressure from the cylinder coming into my coolant and forcing it out to the overflow. I have all new; radiator, all hoses, and radiator cap.
Will Blue Devil work for me and how?
Alvin-
It sounds like the vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. We would recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly.
Feel free to contact us with any questions at 888-863-0426.
Thank You,
-BDP
What if i dont pull the thermostat out?
Stan-
For best results, we strongly recommend removing the thermostat.
-BDP
98 jeep Wrangler 4WD 6 cyl, 4.0 L. After witnessing white smoke shooting from the coolant reservoir, I filled up on coolant and drove it to get some more but had to stop every 20 yards because it would overheat. When i got home, the coolant was at the same level. I hear bubbling from within the radiator and leaking liquid from both sides of it. I wouldn’t say its milky but a light brown color. If there was white smoke coming out of my exhaust, I didnt notice. Im hopeing its something that i can fix like a thermostat or radiator or even the gasket and not a crack cylinder head.
Estevan,
Thanks for your question about your Wrangler. It is possible that you simply have a low coolant level and a lot of air pockets in your cooling system. If you can, try starting your jeep and letting it idle on a hill so the radiator is at the highest point. Leave the radiator cap off until your jeep warms up and add coolant as the air pockets bubble out. Make sure your jeep doesn’t overheat while you are doing this, and if your radiator starts to overflow, stop the engine and let it cool down before starting it again.
The symptoms you described do sound like you have a blown head gasket. If your vehicle is overheating and the coolant reservoir and radiator are full, that is usually a pretty good indication of a blow head gasket. You can go to your local auto parts store and pick up a blown head gasket tester. These tester will test for the presence of exhaust gases in your coolant, and will give you a positive indication of a blow head gasket. A cracked head is possible but if you didn’t let your jeep over heat for long, it is unlikely as the 4.0L Jeep motor is a well build motor.
If you do have a blown head gasket, you can use BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer to seal your head gasket leak and get your jeep back on the road. You can purchase BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer, and read instructions for use here: http://bit.ly/ZtUkim.
Do you recommend using blue devil if it’s really cold or should I wait until it’s warmer let’s say above freezing?
Tim-
You can still use BlueDevil in cold climates. If you do it when the outside temperature is below freezing you will want to be sure to drain your cooling system, after the BlueDevil process is complete, and refill with antifreeze.
-BDP
Hi I have a Pontiac grand prix 2001 with 160,000+ miles. About 2 weeks ago I got 2 new front tires once I got the car back the check engine light was on for 2 days I thought it was jus because they lefted it up wrong or something cus it went away. Then about 4 days ago when I would come to a full stop and then press the gas the car would rrrrr until I slightly yake my foot off the gas then press again then it would go. Then yesterday the light came on for low coolant but stayed on for a minute and went off. Can you tell me whats going on with my car?
Brown,
Thanks for your question about your Pontiac Grand Prix. The first step in diagnosing the problem would be to have the check engine light read so you can see what your car thinks the problem is. Many local auto parts stores will do it for free and give you an error code that hopefully will lead you to the problem for the “rrrrrr” when you first start off.
The low coolant light flashing on probably indicates that your coolant level is getting low and as it sloshes around while you are driving and uncovered the level sensor. If you pop your hood you can check for a low coolant level in the coolant overflow bottle. The bottle is in the back, passenger side of your engine compartment near the alternator. If you have a low coolant level, add the manufacturer’s recommended coolant until it reaches the “cold” full mark. Your coolant level is likely low due to a leak, so consider adding BlueDevil Pour-N-Go Head Gasket Sealer to your vehicle’s cooling system when you add more coolant. BlueDevil Pour-N-Go Head Gasket Sealer will seal a leak in your vehicle’s cooling system quickly and easily so you don’t have to worry about low coolant again.
For more information about where your vehicle’s coolant is leaking from you can read our article about coolant leaks here: https://gobdp.com/blog/car-coolant-going/. If you have any further questions you can leave a comment on the bottom of that article.
I have a 96 Ford Taurus with the 3.0 engine that is overheating. I’ve replaced the radiator (was leaking) thermostat and am getting ready to replace what appears to be a working water pump (suggested by mechanic). I don’t see any milky residue in the oil, but do see some pale white exhaust when running. I see no coolant leaking anywhere. Would your head gasket sealer product work, and if so, which one should I use. I do need to be careful and not remove the thermostat again as I just had the bolt hole re-screwed due to stripping. Thanks in advance!
Kelly-
If you are trying to prevent from having to remove the thermostat then I recommend using the BlueDevil “Pour N Go” Head Gasket Sealer. Based on your symptoms, you should have no problem sealing it with this product.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions along the way.
-BDP
Why does the radiator on my 1985 Toyota Truck, 5 speed manual tranny, 22 RE motor have some oil in it. No water or milky oil when I changed the oil, no other problems with the truck, just some oil in my radiator…….
Fred-
The most likely cause is due to your intake manifold leaking. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture any products that are intended to stop oil from entering the cooling system.
We recommend taking your Toyota into a certified mechanic at this point.
-BDP
Just brought a 2006 Hyundai Tuscon from a private owner. My girlfriend was on the way home and the vehicle overheated and went dead on her and there was white smoke also. This was no coolant or water in radiator so I waited for it to cool down and put some in there when I did there was a leak coming from the bottom of the vehicle and it would not crank. I jumped it and it cranked up and on the way home the temperature never went back up it stayed normal but the engine was making a funny sound it sounded like a diesel truck now. Is this a head gasket issue or something wrong with a hose or connection?
DJ-
It sounds like it is a head gasket leak but now that the vehicle overheated to that degree you may also be dealing with some additional issues as well. It sounds like you are losing coolant fairly quickly considering the cooling system was empty when you checked.
You may be able to use the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer but we first recommend you take the Hyundai into a specialist to have it further diagnosed. You may need to address some of the other issues prior to being able to use the BlueDevil. In order to use the product the vehicle should be able to idle for a full 50 minute period without stalling out or overheating.
Thank You,
BDP
I just noticed the coffee look in my oil. The 06 Saturn Vue 4cyc never ran hot. Sooo I got the Blur Devil oil thermostat n oil filter. Its jan will correct it or put a bandaid on it and buy another car asap.
We recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer to help repair your Saturn. You will want to change the oil before and after the BlueDevil process to ensure best results.
Thank You,
-BDP
I was on my way home the other day and I heard a loud pop come from my engine area. I had replaced the radiator cap the day before. I noticed my car(1994 acura legend ls with a 3.L V6) started to produce steam from the engine bay area and realized it had come from the radiator cap. The overflow tank is still full. Something else I had noticed was the car was idling high in park. Is it ok to put the pour n go head gasket sealer as a preventative measure? Also it is cold enough to get confused between the cold and actual white steam from the exhaust. So I am unsure if it is or not.
Kyle-
We recommend taking the Acura into a certified mechanic to have the vehicle further diagnosed prior to adding anything into your cooling system. The BlueDevil “Pour N Go” really shouldn’t be used as a preventative measure but only when you know you have a blown head gasket or coolant leak.
-BDP
I have a mercury villager 98. it has light white smoke and a liquid leaking from the muffler. I know the flex pipe has a whole in it so I will be taking it to the shopto be welded but there is still a cloud of white smoke coming from the whole in the flex pipe so could that be a blown head gasket?
Demetrious,
Thanks for your question about your Mercury Villager. It does sound like you have a blown head gasket. The white smoke and liquid is from the coolant in your vehicle’ cooling system leaking into engine and being pushed out with the exhaust gases. For some tips on what to do with a blown head gasket, read our article about it here: https://gobdp.com/blog/blown-head-gasket/.
My car is slowly losing coolant it doesn’t overheat but when I start the car 2 minutes later white smoke starts to come out the exhaust and after 5-10 minutes of idling it’s completely gone, and stays smoke-free while the engine is at the working temperature. I’m guessing it must be a crack in the head which seals itself when metal expands – will Blue Devil Sealant fix this problem?
Another very important question about the procedure – once the initial 50 minute idling is complete, would it be harmful to let the engine cool down and then idle again for repeated 50 minute procedure with the Blue Devil sealant unflushed? (I’m hoping for a better seal as the white smoke only comes from cold start). Is there a risk for keeping Blue Devil sealant in the system for too long (let’s say overnight)?
At the end I’m going to empty the system (BD/water mixture) and refill with new coolant / reinstall the thermostat.
Domas-
Yes, we would recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer based on your symptoms. After the 50 minute idle is complete you should allow the vehicle to cool down for at least 2 hours. Once it has cooled, it is not necessary to redo another 50 minute idle, the system should be sealed at that point.
The only risk there would be to leaving BlueDevil and water in your system overnight would be if you live in a cold climate where temperatures will drop below freezing. If you are in a colder climate we advise that you drain the system down to add some antifreeze.
Thanks for your questions!
-BDP
Thanks for the info.
One more question – my car (Jeep Grand Cherokee 2004 diesel, European) has coolant expansion tank and also a radiator cap – which one should I use for pouring the BlueDevil in?
Just curious – once the initial 50 minute idle is over and engine cooled down, is the BlueDevil in the system “spent” (effectless) at this point?
Domas-
You should add the BlueDevil through the radiator cap.
After the 50 minute idle and cool down the BlueDevil process is complete and has created a permanent seal. It does not continue to have any sealing properties after that point.
-BDP
Long story short, I did followed the instructions to the letter, waited 3 hours for engine to cool then flushed out and filled with antifreeze, but it didn’t work..
My main concern – with the thermostat removed, the engine only reached 120°F during the 50 min idle period, that seems very cold to me – could it be that the BlueDevil wasn’t activated because of the temp too low?
What is the minimum temperature BlueDevil works?
Domas-
The engine needs to reach about 150 degrees. If it never got that hot then the chemical is still active and you can run it again, you may want to try running it longer so that it is able to achieve at least 150 degrees.
Feel free to contact our tech support team at 888.863.0426 with any further questions.
-BDP
I have a 1994 crown Victoria lx and there’s a tapping noise under the hood and when im pressing the gas. Any suggestions on what that could be?
Kentae-
Usually the noise is caused by one of two things, low oil pressure or a worn part. The first thing you should check is the engine oil level; if the level is low you will sometimes hear a clicking or tapping noise. If the oil level is low be sure to refill it to the proper level and you also may want to consider using the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak as it is probably low due to a leak.
-BDP
I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu, someone told me I have a gasket head problem but reading the symtoms I don’t know if that’s the problem. When I drive it makes a sound sounding something like a remote control airplane especially when I pick up speed it gets louder. My steering wheel also shakes a little and I recently had an oil change they didn’t mention anything about the oil looking funny. Could it be a gasket problem as said?
Thanks for your question about your 2006 Malibu! To start with we’ve got a great article about the symptoms of a blown head gasket so it would be a great place for you to start. You can read that article here: https://gobdp.com/blog/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-blown-head-gasket/.
Depending on what kind of car you have, you may experience some, all, or just one of those symptoms. Most auto parts stores sell a test kit where you can test your coolant for exhaust gas chemicals. The only way exhaust gas can get into your coolant is through a blown head gasket, so that could tell you for sure.
As for the noises you mentioned, usually blown head gaskets do not cause any strange noises, just the smoking or overheating. The noises you mentioned that change with speed sound like it may actually be a wheel bearing or CV joint problem. To get a little more information about front end noises and the causes, you can read our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/.
If you have any more questions please leave us a comment on the bottom of one of those articles and we will get back to you.
Thanks!
-BDP
My 1986 Nissan Pick-up is overheating we changed the thermostat still overheating. now loosing water but cant see from where and engine is smoking white bubbles in overflow tank also.tried radiator flush also.Think blue devil pro will help?
Carla-
It sounds like the vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. We recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are unable to do a compression reading then you may simply pull all of the plugs and you should notice one of them having a white-crystal-like build up on it and/or it may appear dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly.
Feel free to contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank You for your question!
-BDP
I have a 99 ford ranger with a 4.0. I’ve been losing coolant and been having problems starting it when it sits for awhile like over night. On cold mornings I notice white smoke coming from the exhaust. Have a milky like substance around the oil cap. Does this sound like a blown head gasket? If the cylinder head is warped will ur product seal it?
Joseph-
Yes, this does sound like a blown head gasket. All of the symptoms you have described are very common when the head gasket is blown.
We recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer; it will also work if the head is warped or cracked. More information about the product can be seen here: http://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/
Feel free to contacy our tech support team at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 2002 Ford Windstar LX just yesterday I noticed I started smelling coolant I looked under the hood and I didn’t see anything this morning when I drove the car I started smelling more coolant and when I open the hood I saw some smoke coming from under the hood but not the exhaust I also noticed that the coolant level within normal range and the car is not overheating there is no milky substance in the oil or around the oil cap is that a blown head gasket or something else