Hi:

I have a 1999 Eclipse GS with the 2.0L engine/5sp transmission and 95,000 miles. It's started leaking oil and the dealer says it's the well-known leaking head gasket ($1500 to replace). As I'm not is a position to do it myself and I don't think it's worth putting $1500 into the car, I was looking at the option of putting some oil leak sealer in the oil. Anybody know how successful this typically is? Does this type of leak usually progress quickly? Catastrophically? I'm checking the oil and coolant daily to monitor this but, of course, if the gasket blows on the freeway, I'm SOL. What's the likelihood of this happening?

Thanks

Originally posted by sktn77a
Hi: I have a 1999 Eclipse GS with the 2.0L engine/5sp transmission and 95,000 miles. It's started leaking oil and the dealer says it's the well-known leaking head gasket ($1500 to replace). As I'm not is a position to do it myself and I don't think it's worth putting $1500 into the car, I was looking at the option of putting some oil leak sealer in the oil. Anybody know how successful this typically is? Does this type of leak usually progress quickly? Catastrophically? I'm checking the oil and coolant daily to monitor this but, of course, if the gasket blows on the freeway, I'm SOL. What's the likelihood of this happening? Thanks

Most of those leak sealers don't work at all. The leak, if it is in factt he headgasket, will probably leak at a constant rate for a long, long time before it fails in any catastrophic way. Just keep an eye on the oil and you'll be fine until you can replace it yourself.

Fel-Pro upper gasket kit - $103.99 (autozone)
ARP head Studs - $100

A weekend's labor - free.

Thanks, DarkOne: The Eclipse is my daughter's and she's really enjoyed it but it was getting time for a new car when we discovered the leak. I just want to seal it as best I can, clean the engine good and take it to Carmax (where we bought it, and who could probably fix it for the cost of the gasket).