I have a 1996 Toyota Tacoma with manual transmission, 2.7 L four-cylinder with 213,000 miles. Number one cylinder has coolant leaking into it causing it to misfire and it is blowing white smoke out exhaust. I’ve watched your videos where you use steel seal or blue magic seal up. Which one would you recommend in this situation or would you use a different head gasket repair sealer?
Thanks
None of the above.
The first thing you need to understand is that such products are basically snake-oil, selling the myth that somehow a magical can or bottle of goop is going to repair a mechanical problem. It will not. The only way to really fix the problem is to replace the failed head gasket.
However, under some circumstances a "sealer" can provide a bit of temporary relief. Of course it might not work at all, or might plug up your cooling system. Such products are best used on a worn-out, falling apart beater with 3 tires in the junkyard and one on an ice slick. (In other words, if the only other option is junking the vehicle you have nothing to lose but the cost of the product.)
Scotty in his latest videos recommends the Bars Leaks head gasket sealer if you want to give it a try. However if you want that vehicle to last as long as possible you should replace the head gasket.
