Timing cover issue/Barsleaks?

I finally bit the bullet and went to a mechanic after locating my issue to verify I was right and I was. I have a small timing case leak. I was quote $2400 to fix the issue and replace everything that needs replacing once they pull the timing cover. I'm feeling very discouraged by that pricing, however the mechanic told me not to touch it with her having 400,000 miles on her. He told me to put Barsleaks head gasket repair in my radiator and that will seal it. I just really didn't like either of those answers. Does anyone have experience with Barsleaks? I don't want to gunk anything up.

 

don't use that product!

fix it right

 

If you have a timing cover leak, why whould one use a head gasket repair product?

 

"Small timing case leak" with 400K miles. Personally I would just keep and eye on it and the oil level and leave it be. BTW, Do NOT use Barsleaks, nothing but trouble.

 

Let me ask this so we can get to the root, and I don't come off too brash.

Is you timing cover leaking near your power steering pump? Dripping oil.

Or do you have a head gasket leak, causing coolant to come out of the overflow reservoir?


Where specifically is the leak?

 

He said it's headgasket/radiator repair? Trust me I called bulls*** to. I was just trying to get input from y'all on the best action to take when her miles are this high. Do I drop 2,000 into that repair and hope nothing else goes soon, or let her ride it out and watch the levels until I replace the whole set up.

 

The leak is right there near the power steering pump. It's definitely not the head gasket.

 

No no. It's a timing cover leak but he said use Barsleaks head gasket seal in my radiator to seal where the leak is in the timing case? This is why I said I was not comfortable with what he said. His recommendation confused me like it's confusing you But he swore by it and told me it'll fix my issue and save me $2000.

 

400k miles? Don’t replace it, just drive it til it dies

 

That stuff will seal the leak and also clog your heater core, ask me how I know lol.

 

The Bars-Leaks won't do anything for the timing cover leak because coolant doesn't flow down to that area, just oil.

Some people have been able to clean it really good and then smear some sealant on the outside of it. There's a pic on here somewhere of it.

 

+1 on driving it till it dies.I mean keep an eye on your fluids but yea. You can get a low mileage engine at a recycler for 2500.

 

Yeah I got up under there with engine degreaser and a rag n spray bottle of water and cleaned underneath. I can't get down to it from the top to scrub off the top end. Would I be able to hit it with degreaser and a hose to clean it? Then seal it with a sealant? Thanks for the kind replies. I'm just trying to get another 100-200,000 out of her. Other than this issue she runs like a dream

 

What happened??

 

I have that photo.

 

Here it is. I also have the other ones showing the uneven machining which causes the leak.

 

You could take apart the grill and take out the rad I guess,not sur what exactly is spot welded though.NO BARS LEAK EVER unless you just need to get it to the rebuilder.

 

Use this specifically. I cannot guarantee other styles or brands. Doesn't require pressure.

 

I was losing coolant somewhere due to a small leak and didn't know where it was coming from, it stopped the leak but totally gummed up my heater core, never got heat again. this was on my old 91 4Runner.

 

That looks so much more efficient! Yeah the issue would be accessing it for me. Like you said tho I could probably move the radiator to have a clearer look at it. Is there any draw backs to putting sealant there?