head gasket sealant- viable option

[kalvin928]

Hi all
got battered up 1.4 petrol Skoda estate which I use for work, its had quite a hard life and ever since I have had it (2 years)there has been slight oil leak... I normally don't need to add any oil for a couple of months and this is even with a daily commute into and around London. my main gripe is that the oil eventually saturates the alternator belt and then hey presto its all shredded like spaghetti ( 2 days ago) garage has said that head gasket needs changing (£400) debating whether to get it done and then keep hold for at least another year or chucking it in and buying another one? I had brakes done around 3000 miles ago, and serviced etc. but the £400 cost is causing a dilemma in that do I fix or replace car? I thought about using a gasket sealer? ok its not permanent fix but if it prevents further seeping and keeps the oil in/ back for another year, then may invest in a tub?
also must say that I don't have any issues relating to overheating/ losing water...

 

[AMGeed]

I'd dump it and get another runabout for work.
I'm in the same position as you, leaving the E55 at home and using an old '51 plate Focus for work. For £700, the Focus is brilliant. Anything major, move it on and replace for that money.

 

[kalvin928]

I'd dump it and get another runabout for work.
I'm in the same position as you, leaving the E55 at home and using an old '51 plate Focus for work. For £700, the Focus is brilliant. Anything major, move it on and replace for that money.

many thanks... if couldn't find skoda, was looking at focus estate as well

 

[neilrr]

Well, if it's a 4 or 5 hundred quid banger that''ll be going to the scrapyard if you don't fix the hg I'd throw a couple of bottles of K-Seal into & see what happens.

If it doesn't work you've wasted about 15 quid, if it does it might go on for another year or 3.

Cue the inevitable response...........

 

[grober]

Can't see how adding a sealant to the cooling system is going to seal an oil leak? Assuming you have a timing chain engine and not a toothed belt cambelt is it possible your oil leak is from the crankshaft seal behind the pulley?

 

[Will]

Exactly my thoughts. How on earth is K-seal going to do anything for an oil leak!?!

K-seal is bad news for engines IMHO and ruins cooling systems.

Depending on how bad the leak is (can't be huuuge if it's not needing a top up for a couple of months at a time) can you not keep a spare alternator belt and keep an eye on it for a bit? Run it until you've got your money's worth out of the new brakes/life on the tyres/unexpired road tax/MOT etc and then scrap it/eBay for spares etc.

Plenty of good cars out there for a few hundred quid upwards so wouldn't spend £400 on repairs at this age personally.