About 2 months ago I noticed my RV was using coolant. ('94 E350 w/460v8) I put Bars Leaks 2 part sealer in and it worked, for 6 weeks or so. I put another bottle in 2 weeks ago and it 'worked' again. We got home Saturday night from a 400 mile trip and at the top of our grade it starts steaming.


It's been cold but I've got fresh anti freeze in it and we've been watching the temp gauge so it didn't overheat. I checked both the trans and engine when we got home with a heat gun and both were around 200.


The radiator only takes a quart of water, then it drips out. I can see 2 freeze plugs on the drivers side (the leak side) and they are not leaking.


This is an RV. A head gasket job is a major job. Has anyone used Blue Devil head gasket sealant? Would you recommend it?


thanks-

 

The more gunk dumped inside the engine block most likely affects its ability to flow coolant when or if proper repairs are effected.

Sure its a tough job but with all this so far will it be any easier replacing the entire motor?

 

I agree- in theory. Red Devil is used after a flush and is drained out after treatment. They advertise a 95% success track record with a money back guarantee ($69). I was hoping to get some feedback from people who actually used the product.


The truck has 117k on it- 28k by me and I've changed the oil every 3k. IS it time for a new one?


One question I have is: Do 1994 460 even HAVE head gaskets? I heard they didn't and have a design flaw in that the head bolts break, leading to head warpage and a problem just like I'm experiencing.

 

Yes they have head gaskets....but they have a wet Intake like the 302 ...so no Metal Intake gasket like the M motors ...Actually 460's are not too bad to do in the E Chassis...the heads are heavy though....The hardest part will be the exhaust manifold bolts.....

 

Before you jump off the deep end here........

First, get a compression test done on the engine, both dry and wet.
This will tell you what condition the engine is in internally.

As far as coolant leaking, I had a '94 5.8 that had a small coolant leak, chased it for a few weeks, could not find the cause.........until I found the by-pass hose from the T-housing to the block had a small crack in the hose, the little water that leaked out, would be steamed off the hot engine.

So.......your 21 year old van, with low mileage, will have 21 year old rubber hoses on it, that are bridle, and dry-rotted. Also, I'm sure you have the OEM radiator on that, and if you can look inside, and with the junk you poured in, could be leaking and plugged up, the leaking could be small, and steam off with the heat. Tale tell signs would be a greenish stain on the outside of the radiator.

In short, I would inspect and replace the coolant lines, radiator first before thinking about a head gasket

Others will say the same - Adding engine repairs from a bottle do not work. No matter what the bottle's warranty say.

READ JWA's reply - 100% true.

 

Well you were on the right track. Not being confident with the bottle fix I took it to a local shop. One of the owners said head gasket failure in a 460 is uncommon but timing cover gasket failure isn't. Bingo. That and the hoses were bad. We were replacing the hoses and water pump so no biggee. Now I'm replacing the timing chain as well.


Regarding Blue Devil. Shop owner says he used it on a truck with a badly leaking head gasket. Worked for 3 years then put it in again. It was holding for 1 1/2 years when the truck was sold. SO- I believe it does what it is intended to do- get a vehicle back on the road that isn't worth making an expensive repair on. To each his own.

 

Glad to hear that this turn out to be more of a "major" routine maintenance problem for you.

Changing the timing gears and chain at the same time as replacing the Ford ill fitted cover gasket is a good step.

What does this local mechanic think of the condition of the radiator??

 

We didn't discuss it. It looks good from the top and when I was under it the other day it sure looked good. I mean the paint looked pretty fresh- glossy black. It caught my eye. I've had the truck for about 7 years so I don't know all it's history.

 

Wished I knew you were coming my direction, would have been nice to meet you. I've lived in Truckee since Jan '96.

 

Well, it was 4 years ago, so....

 

While you're at it, remove the radiator and have the gunk removed that you poured into it to stop the leaks. If you don't, it's still going to overheat. That gunk is only god for stopping up your radiator.

 

Got me too

 

 

Too Funny- I started a thread about trans coolers for my F150 this morning and these show up in my box.

As an update- the E350 is running great-- 4 years later.
It's taken us to Colorado and back too!