help with water leak at head gasket

[bobcity]

Recently discovered I had a water leak in my carbed 79 Spider 2000. Actually thought it was the water pump, so I replaced the pump and timing belt. When I went to refill the coolant I discovered that there was a leak at about the spot where the head meets the block on the left front side of my engine.
I didn't feel that replacing the head gasket was something I wanted to try, so I called my local fiat mechanic for a quote.

He said with a valve adjustment, it would be over $1000 to replace the gasket.

So I'm between the proverbial rock and bad place. I don't want this to be the end to a great little car.

here is my question, based on the above facts, would it be reasonable to try some K&W® NanoTechnology Permanent Head Gasket & Block Repair. I've read some good stuff about it on other forums, but they were not Fiat forums. I would block off the heater and then run engine for few hundred miles and then drain and refill with coolant.

I respect the views that I have gotten hear a lot. So...... what do you folks think?

Thanks,
Bob

[htchevyii]

It's kind of a band-aid type repair, but I have heard of some people who have had very good luck with it. You must follow the directions exactly and I'd keep an eye on it after.

[So Cal Mark]

Bars Leak has a new 3 step product out that they claim is a permanent repair for leaking head gaskets. It's worth a try if you don't want to spend the money to pull the head. From what you describe, I'd bet the head has erosion around the water jackets

[bobcity]

Bars Leak has a new 3 step product out that they claim is a permanent repair for leaking head gaskets. It's worth a try if you don't want to spend the money to pull the head. From what you describe, I'd bet the head has erosion around the water jackets

Thanks. I'll check out Bars too.

[kmead]

Are you certain that its at the head or is it possibly leaking from the intake manifold. Several of the intake manifolds have a water jacket with coolant passages near the forward corner of the head. You might check to ensure your manifold is not the source of the leak.

My opinion, and your mileage will vary, is to fix the problem properly not use coagulants to stem the flow.

[bobcity]

Are you certain that its at the head or is it possibly leaking from the intake manifold. Several of the intake manifolds have a water jacket with coolant passages near the forward corner of the head. You might check to ensure your manifold is not the source of the leak.

OK, let me check that. I just assumed when I saw the leak, it had to be the head gasket.