Timing Cover Gasket??

[MINIGfather]

Hi guys. Im new here and did a search. But to no avail I got no answers.

I was leaking antifreeze the other day and thought that the head gasket was leaking. I had a shop look at it and they said it was the Timing cover gasket. I was quoted around $600 to fix it. So I got another shop to look at it and diagnose it and they said the same thing and said they would do it for $325. So they fixed that and then there was another leak. It ended up leaking at the head as well.

I told them that I couldnt afford anymore work and bought a bottle of Bars Leak head gasket stop leak as a hope that it will stop until I can afford the head gasket to be fixed.

Heres the question.

It said on the stop leak bottle to pour it in turn on the vehicle and turn the heat on full high and heat and run for 15 minutes. So I turned on the heat and it came out cold.

Is there anything they would have done while doing the timing cover gasket that they could of crossed that would cause the A/C to kick on when in the heat position??

I know its the A/C cuz the compressor kicks on and it blows out ice cold.

Oh yeah...we had heat they night before they worked on it...

Thanks to anyone that helps me out...

 

[MINIGfather]

I guess I should mention the vehicle in case that makes a difference.

2000 Explorer XLS 4WD

I forgot to mention that the antifreeze and stuff was rust colored, and really muddy looking.

Thanks again...

 

[TheJackal]

Hello!

The A/C compressor will run in both heat and A/C modes. This allows you to adjust the heat output by turning the center knob.

Which Bar's Leaks product are you using? Ford recommends using the tablets only. Some of the other Bar's Leaks products ask that you flush the system first. Even if yours doesn't require it, it sounds like your system needs flushing anyway.

I used a "liquid copper" product that did work, but leaves quite a mess in the system.

Is the radiator full? Do the lines going in and out of the heater core feel hot?
Some stop leak products are known for plugging up heater cores. If this happens you may need to Backflush the heater core.

 

[MINIGfather]

Hello!

The A/C compressor will run in both heat and A/C modes. This allows you to adjust the heat output by turning the center knob.

Cool didnt know that...

Which Bar's Leaks product are you using? Ford recommends using the tablets only. Some of the other Bar's Leaks products ask that you flush the system first. Even if yours doesn't require it, it sounds like your system needs flushing anyway.

I bought the Block Seal Permanent Head Gasket FIX. This one didnt tell me to flush the system or anything. I deffinitely need to flush the system tho. I put it in and it hasnt leaked since I put it in. So looks good so far. It was a copper color.

I used a "liquid copper" product that did work, but leaves quite a mess in the system.

Is the radiator full? Do the lines going in and out of the heater core feel hot?
Some stop leak products are known for plugging up heater cores. If this happens you may need to Backflush the heater core.

The radiator is staying full now. I went for a ride in it yesterday and put the heat on full blast and it blew cool air out and then all of the sudden it started to get hot and worked like it usually does almost melting my skin off so if there was a clog it must of broke loose.

THANKS FOR THE HELP JACKAL...

 

[MINIGfather]

Well it hasnt leaked at all since I put the stop leak in. So a couple of questions...

Do you think I would be alright driving it like that for a while?

OR

Should I still get the head gasket done right away??

Thanks again

 

[joe doe]

i did that and drove mine all thru winter into spring and just got mine all done .
watch your fluid level and engine temp and you should be fine .
unless it starts leaking into the combustion chamber .an external leak can be managed awhile.