Using K-Seal to Resolve 2014 Toyota Prius Blown Head Gasket

[Update 8/22/2024]
With the most intense summer heat starting to wane out here the southeast, my Prius has officially gone 30,000 miles since this solution was applied. The car is still working fine and the check engines it was frequently getting are a distant memory. That is still only a fraction of the 200,000 drive miles I expect to get out of the car, but so far, so good.
[End of Update]
Once again, I have another 3rd Generation Toyota Prius that has a blown head gasket. While I can only speculate as to why this generation is so prone to this problem, the fact is I elected to deal with it by applying K-Seal. The shake & pour solution cost $15.99 plus tax. Once again, I have back to operating the Prius free of check engine codes, hard idling, and ever dropping coolant reservoir levels.
After nearly 6,000 miles after applying this 3-minute solution, I am going strong. Please post your questions.
As always, please like & subscribe to my channel to get more such field tested content.

[@hm4456]

Thank you so much for this. My car has been going through the same issue and will try this tonight. I appreciate you

[@technologistonthego2377]

Let me know how it turns out. I’m up to 12,000 miles since applying this and going strong. The Prius is the only type of car I want to drive, but I don’t think I’ll ever buy another GEN3 as this is a problem with that whole generation.

[@NateAdamCastle]

thank you sir. I followed your video exactly. I also have a 2014. 205k miles. first problem ever. owned since 2017. 2nd owner. It felt like my Prius was choking, struggling to stay alive, started "knocking" about a month ago. then had it back to back knock rough in the same day. then I found your video. out of everyone I watched I chose to trust your word since I know 0 about vehicles. but you explained my exact problems exactly , like you took the words right out of my mouth and constructed it even more in depth thought I was going to have to fork over thousands to keep my Prius going. I use mine for Lyft and it's my house from time to time. dude you saved me so much money. I apologize for calling you Indian guy, im not sure your name but thank you in the most genuine fashion. I haven't been this pumped in a while. you are a good human. I like you. good karma will return to you. woah I actually just typed that out without chatgpt....forgive me. whatever your name may be - again thank you sir. you legit saved my ass. do you have a Bitcoin or monero tip jar. I feel like I owe you for this life hack. let me owe you. even if I get another 25k-50k I'll be ecstatic. oh wait

[@technologistonthego2377]

That was the kindest response I’ve had of all my videos. I really appreciate that. Yes, our car is our lifeblood much as a horse was back in the Wild West. I’m at 31,000 miles since applying the solution. I was a little worried to see how it would fare during the heat of the summer out here the southeast, but it handled it well. Nor I haven’t had a single check engine code. I also know exactly what you mean about Lyft. A Prius can make Lyft be a moderately profitable enterprise because of its high fuel economy. I don’t see any other vehicle coming close. I hope you get another 200,000 miles more.

[@NateAdamCastle]

@@technologistonthego2377 sorry for the very late response. I can say with 100% certainty you saved my car. if it wasn't for you I'd be in a huge hole. everyone tried talking me out of k-seal...even the guy working at AutoZone. I've tried for the last 2,000 miles to prove you wrong but my car just works even better. I've put over 250+ Lyft rides as well. my AC is colder, heater blows hotter, acceleration is noticably better, car overall sounds so much better. I had no idea until the loud "knocking" came, I even had any of these smaller issues. my car is running so much better I cant remember it functioning this good. I've had it since 32k miles. now I'm at 207k. haven't touched anything until 180k, I swapped the 12v battery in the trunk myself. at 205k I noticed loud knocking, where I thought my 2014 prius was going to explode. knocking so hard I thought the dash was going to hit me in the face. I followed your video step by step exactly. now my car is butter smooth. YOU ARE A WIZARD. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN. 2000+ MILES. I even flipped it into power mode many times running the gas engine only. trying to prove you wrong but I cant. you are 100% right with this one I can testify. LIFESAVER LITERALLY!!!!!!!!

[@SONOFISLAM2020]

Your the best man

[@technologistonthego2377]

@@SONOFISLAM2020 absolutely let me know how it worked for you. I am now at 25,000 miles in the middle of the peak heat, and it’s holding up just fine.

[@RealEstatePhotographerPro]

THANK YOU - GOOD INFO

[@brianestrella374]

My car was using coolant on long trips, and there was bubbles on the radiator, I didn’t have the money to change the head gasket rn soo I just found out about these sealer’s and bought the K seal, drained and clean the whole system put new coolant on it and the k seal, let it idle for 30 minutes, then let it cool for 3 hours, again idle for 30 minutes and cool for the rest of the night, about 10 hours, there’s no bubbles, doesn’t smell like coolant getting burned and doesn’t smell like gasoline on the reservoir.

[@technologistonthego2377]

I would strongly recommend getting the yellow bottle of HEET. Use one with each tank of gas for the next 2 to 3 tanks. Also, top it off using seafoam. The HEET yellow bottle gets rid of any coolant that’s in the engine system. it can gum up the spark plugs. The seafoam gives a very good cleaning and will likely restore your fuel economy. I find myself averaging 56 MPG over 300 miles stretch. The heat has kicked up here in Georgia, and on a ride that had a lot of city miles, I averaged 49 MPG when it’s typical for my Prius vehicles to get just under 44 MPG due to the heat on the surface streets.

[@technologistonthego2377]

Very glad to hear the solution seems to be living up to its description. Keep me posted on how long it lasts.

[@EddieHylton]

4:08 Melanie's 2:58 What time do you want to meet 3:09 What time do you want to meet What time do you want to meet 3:39 Watson 2:46

[@EddieHylton]

Know

[@DonziGT230]

If I understand correctly, you've been having to retreat the car over and over since this started?

[@technologistonthego2377]

On my 2013 Prius, I did it about every 30,000 miles and went close to 50,000 on the last application before the car finally had it at 410,000 miles. I drove the car for a total of 140,000 miles after the first application. That’s right around what most people get out of the cars they buy brand new. This time around, I have only applied once. I have gone 19,000 miles since applying.

[@L7Fx]

any chance of this working if there is already coolant mixed into the oil? saw a milky substance under the oil cap and the car overheated.

[@technologistonthego2377]

I preface by saying I am not a mechanic. I think your situation is precarious. Unless you have cash for a new car, I would try and salvage it. The solution is less than $20 - so it isn’t much risk. Did the coolant reservoir drain empty? That is what would cause the car to overheat. What I’ve done is add the coolant and after applying it, have the coolant flushed. You may want to do the same with the oil. Now, if your coolant is all gooey as well, flush it first so the solution has a better chance to do its thing. I would prefer to use Blue Devil, and only did this mix because I couldn’t find a mechanic to apply it. Blue Devil solution is very involved. You’ve got nothing to lose at this point.

[@idcwtfitis]

Having a similar issue, did u put it in maintenance mode when u added the k seal?

[@technologistonthego2377]

No, I just let the expansion reservoir get low as shown in the video, and then added the mixture. There wasn't any instruction to put the vehicle in maintenance mode.

[@idcwtfitis]

@technologistonthego2377 only reason I asked is both my tanks are very low and same violent knock with a p0301 misfire. New coils and plugs on the way, but all the signs of a head gasket leak too. Most resources on refilling the tank is to put it in maintenance mode so it keeps the gas engine in idle.

[@technologistonthego2377]

@@idcwtfitis The directions said this solution could go into a cold or hot engine. Now, if there were issues with the heater or AC not performing well, the instructions said to put the car heater at max. Now, I've only had the expansion tank go low in the two Priuses that had this problem (both Gen3 by the way). The other tank always stayed full. Honestly, if I could find a mechanic willing to add the Blue Devil, I would go that route as it has the best results especially dealing with an advanced gasket leak. Still, this solution has worked for me. I would hold off the spark plugs and coils until after you've given this solution a chance. If your case is like mine, the P301 (OR P302, P304, P300 - I got them all at varying times) is affected by the water & coolant getting into the engine. Use the yellow bottle of Heet to get that out of the engine as you saw me do. Hell, use two bottles of it after applying K-Seal. Then see if those issues clear up. I was about to spend $300 on spark plugs & coils plus $150 to have them installed. It has not been necessary since using K-Seal.

[@technologistonthego2377]

@@idcwtfitis Also, I believe. you want the engine to warm up as that gets the K-Seal to do its thing sealing up the cracks. Anyway, I do not believe maintenance mode was designed with a mechanic-in-a-bottle solution in mind. Let me know how it works out for you, but don't want too long as a gasket crack(s) can get to the point it can't be fixed.

[@idcwtfitis]

@technologistonthego2377 my understanding from all the bottled head gaskets is they have to sit idle for a certain amount of time, cool and then possibly heat cycle a second time. The ICE doesn't usually idle long enough on a regular start. I've also heard great things about blue devil, but if I remember it requires about 50min of idle, where most others are about 15 min. I already ordered the plugs and coils as a kit they get here Tuesday, might return them since I was gonna do the k seal this weekend. I'm used to regular ICE engines and plugs/coils is the usual go to to start. Found out while continued research the head gasket is usually the issue. I really only need the issue resolved long enough to trade it in for a new used car.

[@LinzseyslilPad]

Can you add the sealant then drive?

[@technologistonthego2377]

Yes, that’s exactly what I did.

[@Industry-insider]

NEVER USE THIS STUFF

[@technologistonthego2377]

Do you have an alternative that you recommend? I was able to go 140,000 miles on the last vehicle when the dealership told me I had maybe one or two days left in the car before it would completely stall out this time around, I am at 20,000 miles. I certainly wouldn’t deny your own experience, but it would be helpful for others to read it. There’s always an explanation as to why one experience would turn out adversely. If a person is to determine whether their mileage is gonna vary on the Short side, knowing a bit more about the circumstances surrounding your personal experience would be beneficial.

[@Industry-insider]

@@technologistonthego2377 just replace the head gasket, it’s easy

[@technologistonthego2377]

@@Industry-insider I am game. Do you have an instructional video of how that is done? Bear in mind, I am not a mechanic. When I had this problem appear, my choices were very limited. Using this solution, I have gone over 20,000 miles from Atlanta to Birmingham, Columbus-GA, Chattanooga, Macon, Oxford-AL, Dublin-GA, etc. These are all distant locations and all were reached without incident. Still, the gasket replacement is the way to go, but thus far, that has presented itself as a $6,000+ solution. So how do I get this done? I ask in earnest.

[@Industry-insider]

@@technologistonthego2377 I just watched a couple videos about it but mine was more complicated because it had a bent rod too, if you do it then don’t remove the exhaust manifold from the head, it’s easier to remove it all as one piece

[@Industry-insider]

@@technologistonthego2377 also you should thread the bolts back into after removing parts when possible, that way you don’t have to keep track of them all, I only had a few sets of them sitting around once everything was taken apart so it was easy to tell where they came from