How to Fix a Main Gasket With Liquid Glass

This is supposed to be a temporary fix but I know someone who followed this five years ago and his car still doesn’t leak water.

Steps

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    Purchase Sodium Silicate (Liquid Glass) from a pharmacy.[1] Purchase new thermostat and associated thermostat gasket(s).
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    Drain coolant system by disconnecting the large hose from the bottom of the radiator. Also disconnect the large hose from the top of the radiator.[2]
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    Remove the thermostat and reconnect the hose without a thermostat.[3]
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    Flush the coolant system thoroughly with hose water to remove trace amounts of antifreeze. Run water through the large hose which was disconnected from the top of the radiator and leads to the engine. Watch the water coming out of the large hose which was disconnected from the bottom of the radiator until it turns clear. Do the same to the radiator by running water through the top and watching it pour out the bottom.[4]
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    Reconnect all the coolant system hoses and the old thermostat gasket without the thermostat.
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    In a container, pour about a quart of water. Add the liquid glass and mix thoroughly.[5]
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    Add the liquid glass/water mixture to the radiator. Top off the coolant system with hose water. Cap the radiator.
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    Start the car and then remove the radiator cap. Wait until the water level drops in the radiator and top it off again with hose water.
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    Run for 45 minutes. When liquid glass heats up it is activated. When it cools down by contacting air it will harden as when it seeps out of the leaky gasket.
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    After 45 minutes, stop the engine. Wait about 15 minutes and drain the coolant system without burning yourself.
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    Flush the coolant system with hose water thoroughly (see step 4). Install the new thermostat with gasket.[6] Ensure the coolant system is put together properly.[7]
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    Fill the radiator with 50:50 water:antifreeze.[8]

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Will my car start after I put in liquid glass?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If the reason your car wouldn't start was a leaky gasket, this should help. Keep in mind it is a temporary fix which only lasts up to six months.
  • Question
    Can I put liquid glass in an engine?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No - it will kill your engine. Only use it in the cooling system.
  • Question
    How much liquid gas is needed?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Fill the radiator halfway with water -- use 1/2 cup if the vehicle runs hot while driving more than an hour. If vehicle runs hot quickly, use one cup. Remember to run the vehicle for about an hour afterwards -- if it doesn't get hot, you're good. If it runs hot after you use the sodium silicate, repeat the process. If the cylinder head is cracked, it may not work.
  • Question
    Will this still work if the cap is left on?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It should, but for safety's sake, take the cap off anyway. You are not going anywhere with this car while you are fixing it.
  • Question
    Where can I buy liquid glass?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Pottery supply stores should carry it. Use Google Maps to search for 'pottery supply' and you should be able to find something in your area. I would imagine you could order it online as well.
  • Question
    When I leave the cap off, my car heats up and starts blowing the water everywhere when it's at idle; it won't last more than a few minutes until it starts. Would it be better to leave the cap on?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    At idle, the water level rises due to hydrogen air bubbles escaping from the leaky head gasket. You should have the cap ON, and let the chemical (liquid glass) do its work. Be sure not to top off the water to the full mark; just put it at the cool mark first when the engine is cold. When the engine warms up, the water level will rise.
  • Question
    How much does it cost?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Liquid Glass runs anywhere from $20-35, depending on where you purchase it.
  • Question
    Will this work if a gasket is blown into combustion chamber?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, sodium silicate works on head gaskets. If the head is cracked, it may not work, but it's worth trying.
  • Question
    How much liquid glass is needed per quart?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Add a half cup to the radiator, then fill it to the top with water.
  • Question
    How much pure sodium silicate do I use to fix a main gasket?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    My car was overheating immediately and I used a cup. It worked great and sealed the head gasket.

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References

  1. ↑ https://homesteady.com/12245107/how-to-plug-a-leak-with-sodium-silicate
  2. ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a78/1272246/
  3. ↑ https://www.howacarworks.com/cooling-systems/how-to-replace-a-car-thermostat
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxm3E5SkHrI
  5. ↑ https://homesteady.com/12245107/how-to-plug-a-leak-with-sodium-silicate
  6. ↑ https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/car-repair/heating-cooling-system/how-to-replace-your-vehicles-thermostat/
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NehZEoOZrn4
  8. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/automotive/car-maintenance/how-to-change-coolant/

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 10 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 110,821 times.
319 votes - 91%
Co-authors: 10
Updated: October 7, 2019
Views: 110,821
Categories: Engine Parts