Q&A for How to Fix a Main Gasket With Liquid Glass

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.

No - it will kill your engine. Only use it in the cooling system.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Liquid Glass runs anywhere from $20-35, depending on where you purchase it.

Yes, sodium silicate works on head gaskets. If the head is cracked, it may not work, but it's worth trying.

Add a half cup to the radiator, then fill it to the top with water.

My car was overheating immediately and I used a cup. It worked great and sealed the head gasket.

Yes, it should work just fine.

Some say it is okay to add the liquid glass to the anti-freeze since most anti-freezes have silicates already in them. For the liquid glass to work better though, you should make sure there is absolutely no anti-freeze in the radiator. The anti-freeze and the liquid glass will bond to clog your radiator and heater core if mixed together.

The upper radiator hose -- the one that is connected to the thermostat housing.

If you're finding water in your oil when you do an oil change, sodium silicate may damage your engine as it may seep into the block and seize it. Only try this for issues like a cracked head gasket where you're finding oil in your coolant, not the other way around.

No, sodium silicate will only work when it's under heat and flowing through your cooling system. It works by seeping into leaks while the vehicle is running. It won't do anything just sitting in water not flowing or under pressure.

You actually should bypass your heater core. This avoids the possibility of clogging up the passages in your heater core.