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SSDiv6 · 11-12-2007, 10:43 AM

Have you had the block and cylinder heads checked for hairline cracks? If the block and cylinder heads check out okay, I would remove any traces of engine coolant, fill the cooling system half way and add 4 to 6 ounces of Sodium Silicate also known as "Egg Glass" or "Water Glass" and then top the cooling system.

Run the engine for at least a minimum of 30 minutes or drive it for at least 20 miles. Drain the cooling system and flush with water. Remove all the spark plugs and keep the throttle open for 24 hours so the engine can dry. It should fix the problem; many times it takes two tries. I have used Sodium Silicate in the past and it works; just do not add too much because it can block the radiator and water pump. A friend has a tractor that he forgot to drain the water during winter; the engine froze and the block had a hairline crack. Did the Sodium Silicate treatment and the block has not leaked for the past 12 years.

Many may think this is a band-aid, but it is not. Bar-Leaks and many of these similar products, contain a certain amount of Sodium Silicate, but not enough. As a matter of fact, Jaguar recommends the addition of two bottles of Bars-Leak to the cooling system everytime you do a head gasket or overhaul the engine. General Motors also sells what they call the "Cooling System Sealant Tablets", P/N 12378254. General Motors has used them as a either a preventative measure or as part of their Technical Service Bulletins for all their engines.

11-12-2007, 10:43 AM	#2
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,043 Likes: 712 Liked 1,577 Times in 581 Posts	Re: 289 ford question Have you had the block and cylinder heads checked for hairline cracks? If the block and cylinder heads check out okay, I would remove any traces of engine coolant, fill the cooling system half way and add 4 to 6 ounces of Sodium Silicate also known as "Egg Glass" or "Water Glass" and then top the cooling system. Run the engine for at least a minimum of 30 minutes or drive it for at least 20 miles. Drain the cooling system and flush with water. Remove all the spark plugs and keep the throttle open for 24 hours so the engine can dry. It should fix the problem; many times it takes two tries. I have used Sodium Silicate in the past and it works; just do not add too much because it can block the radiator and water pump. A friend has a tractor that he forgot to drain the water during winter; the engine froze and the block had a hairline crack. Did the Sodium Silicate treatment and the block has not leaked for the past 12 years. Many may think this is a band-aid, but it is not. Bar-Leaks and many of these similar products, contain a certain amount of Sodium Silicate, but not enough. As a matter of fact, Jaguar recommends the addition of two bottles of Bars-Leak to the cooling system everytime you do a head gasket or overhaul the engine. General Motors also sells what they call the "Cooling System Sealant Tablets", P/N 12378254. General Motors has used them as a either a preventative measure or as part of their Technical Service Bulletins for all their engines.