I know it is hard to believe but the FlexSeal stuff you see on TV really works on oil leaks that for one reason or another you want to postpone the proper repair.I had a timing chain cover leaking on a SBC, we were ready to go on a 200 mile cruise and I did not want to take everything apart to re gasket prior to the cruise. SOOOO I took out the ole brake clean gave it a proper dose and then took the air hose and dried it well. I masked off the area, sprayed the area where the gasket showed and when I pulled off the tape it looked like a new gasket. I have put on a couple thousand miles and no leak. They advertise it will withstand high heat and so far it does. Before everyone pulls out their favorite firearm. I do not advocate using this method instead of a proper gasket job. Under the circumstances that I used it I would do it all over again.......try it before you knock it.
I may try this. I have a 7.3 ltr powerstroke with a leaking oilpan. The engine has to come out to replace the pan gasket. Dealership is around $2,000. Currently I don't have the time to do it.
Might be something to have a can of brake cleaner and Flex seal in a road kit for an emergency, but I probably wouldn't use it at home.
Ochamsrasor....thanks for the tip. I'm anxious to try it for the reason you posted. How thick did you apply it? More than one coat? I think Rustoleum makes it now in more colors like aluminum and brown.
watch their commercial.........they take a torch to it!!! and they specifically say in the commercial it stands up to high temps.....I am sure what you say you read on the website is the normal disclaimer...........the important thing is I tried it, it works and I am happy and if you would ask me who I intended to please with that can in my hand ME!
2 coats, it seeps into the area of the gasket failure, then swells if you do a nice tape job the finished product looks like a new gasket.
Good for emergency repairs, but I would not use it in place of a normal gasket. Good to know, though!
From their website: Q: How much pressure will Flex Seal® withstand? A: Flex Seal® withstands normal water pressure and rainwater and is not made to withstand extreme pressures. Without engineering data, I would say not to use it for pressure applications. FOr me, it's a red flag when they have "pressure" and "rainwater" in the same sentence.
I have used it on some other things around the house with good luck. I will keep it in mind if I am in a jam.
I have a can, thought about using it for undercoating or on my floor as a added seam seal....don't think i would use it for a oil leak, anything big enough to not let leak for a short period would need a proper repair, but good to know it might work in a pinch.
It says "...not made to withstand extreme heat..." yet they take a torch to it in the infomercial??? WTF is going on?
http://toolmonger.com/2011/08/02/hot-or-not-flex-seal-spray-rubber/ http://www.scambook.com/company/view/131/Flex-Seal
Come on guys,nobody said it was a cure all ! Who ever knew super glue would be used in place of stitches ?
The folk who developed it - that was what it was developed for. Very effective too as I can personally testify. As for flexseal I think I will let someone else try it first!
So, it sounds like you naysayers are calling the OP a flatout liar. Geez guys, he's just telling us his experience. I doubt if he saw the commercial on TV, then decided just to screw with us.
Did not use flex shield but did change from 30 grade oil(for break in) to 5-30 Syntech(synthetic) and small leak is gone!! don't understand it but no leak!! Pete
Personally, I have used RTV to fix a leak like the OP had. If you know where it is leaking, just clean the area with brake clean while pulling a vacuum on the crankcase using a shop vac. Last one I did was an engine that used a road draft tube for a vent. I put a rubber expansion plug in the oil fill tube and hooked my shop vac to the draft tube and turned it on. I sprayed the brake clean in the suspected area and you could watch it evaporate right where I thought it was leaking. I then was able to get some "right stuff" rtv in the area and watch it too start to draw into the void. I shut off the vacuum and let it set for over 24 hours. That was a couple years and several thousand miles ago and as far as I am concerned it is a permanent fix. Hasn't leaked a drop since.
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