O-Ring Fix without Engine Rebuild...
 

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone in the forum ever tried Paul Yaw's method of fixing damaged O-Ring as mentioned in the FD3S.Net site?

Link: http://www.fd3s.net/o-ring_fix.html

Basically, this is a method of using CRC Block Weld in the coolant system...
Can anyone ever tried this method share their feedback with us?


Thanks!

People have had success with it, but it's still temporary (i.e. it's not a real fix). I'm not a fan of it, but you don't always have the time/money to rebuild the engine right away.

I would also look into "why" you had a coolant o-ring failure to make sure it doesn't happen again (with an eventual rebuild).

Don't do it.

You aren't fixing the problem, you are putting a band aid on it. The block weld will also clog up your heater core and then you to replace that and that is not a fun job.

It really is only a temporay fix, and it is only successful if it is actually the seal that failed and not the coolant seal retaining wall. If the wall has given out, then you are just going to clog your coolant/heating system and it will still show all the signs of a bad coolent seal.

Crap shoot...at best...

Sounds like maybe the previous owner of my car did this prior to replacing the motor. My heater doesn't work for crap (new motor, new thermostat, new coolant, runs perfectly). Can the heater core be flushed out or is the clogging permanent?

Let me know if you want a low mileage core for cheap. :)

^ lol

I did on my old engine and it worked for a while, but you better bypass your heater core and radiator while doing the treatment and then unclog the bypass port in your thermostat. The turbo coolant lines will also need to be cleaned out when you eventually decide to do the rebuild, and it is conceivable that they could become clogged by the treatment.
Tom (new engine now)

Hi all,

Thanks for all the good advice and thoughts... I have decided to give up on this approach and use the proper route - engine rebuild. I will be doing it myself, so if anyone in Arcadia, Los Angeles area would like to come and join/ chill-out, feel free to send me a pm...
Once again, thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions! :)

Mahjik... I've read many of your other posts and you seems to have very good knowledge of the 13B REW. Mind telling me what are the possible causes of the O-ring failure? How do I determine mine?

Any advice to DIY engine rebuilding?

Most likely it was an overheat situation. Where you'll have to be careful is to see if the housings warped.

Don't do it unless you really have the time and the money. It some (a lot) of cases, it can cost you more money and time to do it yourself than to just have someone like Kevin of RotaryResurrection.com do it for you.

How much effort is it to swap out? Do I have to take apart the whole dash or anything crazy like that? If so I'll just be content with having crappy heat and not drive the car when it's cold out ;)