3.0 Blown Head Gasket soulutions

[4Runnerholic]

I am going to look at a 1993 4runner for a crawler investment tomorrow and it does have a blown head gasket. I am confident I can do repairs on my own but I did see some "quick fix" solutions. Now these "quick fix" solutions really don't ever do what they say they will, so my main question is this; should I try out the $30 solution because it is very inexpensive and if it works then yay but if not than oh well at least i tried.

Has anyone ever used this solution before? It is "Bar's Leaks Head Gasket Fix" FYI.

:thanks:

P.S. i have looked through some threads but haven't found any on this "quick fix" so I apologize for any repeated questions.

 

[mholme]

It seems kind of silly to dump some goop into it when you said you can fix it correctly? Especially if you're considering the purchase an investment.

 

[4Runnerholic]

It seems kind of silly to dump some goop into it when you said you can fix it correctly? Especially if you're considering the purchase an investment.

true. just seeing if anyone has had any luck with it, really.

 

[mholme]

true. just seeing if anyone has had any luck with it, really.

I don't have any experience with it, but I'm sure it has "worked" for some. It's a temporary fix at best, the last thing I'd want in a vehicle that I'm asking a lot of like towing or off-roading.

 

[HanginInUtah]

I wouldn't.
My first project came to me with something added to the system. Just made a bigger mess when I actually did the heads. My second project was much cleaner inside the block and no plugged passages. Unless your intention is purely sadistic pleasure and you want to see if it will completely implode, I would stick to the proper repairs. Snake oil is always snake oil, no matter what the label says.

 

[Hyde802]

Only use the quick fix if you plan on changing the motor. If you want to keep the 3.0, do it right... and by that I mean put a 3.4 in. Haha. No, if you fix it right the 3.0 is a great motor for a crawler.

 

[teeph]

won't last

I used the Bar's Leaks and it lasted about 14 months and that was only about 5,000 miles of driving. I am currently half way through tearing my 3.0 down to replace the HG's.

 

[Footofgod]

My first recommendation to anyone buying a 3.0 is to go ahead and do the head gaskets to be done with the issue. Most of these trucks are 25 to 30 years old at this point. If you are going to build a trail rig, build it right and don't take short cuts. "Quick fix" would be pointless on a "Build".