On Sept 3rd, 2016 I used BlueDevil Pour-N-Go Head Gasket Sealant in my 2003 Subaru Lagacy Wagon to seal a very small hole in my head gasket. It sealed my thermostat instead causing catastrophic engine damage.
I followed the simple 5 step instructions, took my car out to test the application and 5-10 miles down the road my engine redlined. When I inspected the engine I found no pressure in the lower radiator hose (blocked thermostat).
I pulled and replaced the thermostat, refilled the system with coolant, took the car back out on the road and 5-10 miles later my engine was redlined. I then emailed the company for advice.
I was contacted by Zach Friedly who asked me to call him regarding my engine which I did. (In retrospect this was a mistake. if you are having a problem with this company's product keep all communication via email so you may document the entire process)
Zach's first reccomendation was that I flush the coolant sytem with BlueDevil Radiator Flush which I did. This had no positive affect on my engine. He then reccomended a professional backflush which I had performed at a local garage. This had no positive affect on my engine. He then reccomended a block dye test.
I informed my mechanic that BlueDevil/Universal Products Inc suggested a block dye test. He asked me a couple questions, I explained the situation and responded, "Don't bother, you've got a blown head gasket. We won't know how bad it is until we tear the engine down."
I gave Zach this information and he explained that his company would not pay to replace my head gasket since there was no way for me to prove his product had been 100% responsible for the problem. He further explained that the flush and backflush he reccomended had likely caused a larger hole to be torn in my headgasket while simultaniously erasing most traces of his product from my cooling system.
Zach went on to say that if I wanted to pay for the engine to be torn down and found any "other" damage caused by his product (eg: blocked radiator/heater core etc) they would discuss thier liability with me at that point. When I pointed out how absurd that idea was for a Subaru with 230k miles on it he agreed and asked me what I thought would be fair compensation.
When I informed Zach that refunding the money I had spent so far trouble shooting the problem and the cost of replacing my damaged vehicle seem fair he responded in anger and frustration and offered me $39.76 to refund the cost of the headgasket sealant.
I let him know I saw no other option but to take his company to court. While he agreed that I had no other recourse he informed me he had been through this process before and knew how it would turn out. That was our last communication until I filed a review with the BBB of Greater Maryland.
The review apparently got someone's attention because Zach got in touch wondering if there was anything his company could do to keep this form going to court. I explained that all I wanted was what I had before I used his product and that if the company was willing to pay for the headgasket repair and any susequant repair associated with the headgasket repair I would be willing to drp my claim.
Zach told me he would pass my request along to the correct people and get back to me either way. That was the last communication I received from the company. They have responded to my BBB and Amazon reviews with a laundry list of lies but that is all.
I have subsequently found dozens of stories just like mine posted on the web. I am looking forward to my day in court and I encourage everyone with a similar experience to do the same. The filing is inexpensive, the paperwork is relatively straight forward and there are numerous online help sites if you get stuck.
This company is financially responsible (see Strict Liability laws) for damages that occour due defective manufacturing and advertising. The burden of proof also falls on the manufacturer in these cases. This is a class action lawsuit waiting for the right firm.
Note: this company also regularly employs the use of "3rd party electronic conversation interception" without consent.
Jason
Weed,#2Author of original report
Fri, August 27, 2021
After sucessfully arguing my case in small claims court I ended up being awarded just shy of $3,000. It was a bit time consuming, but getting that check from Blue Devil was worth every minute I put into it.
Don't let the process intimidate you, and go get em!
Mike
Austin,#3Consumer Comment
Thu, August 26, 2021
What ultimately happened with your claim? Did they ever respond or did you ever get a legal ruling or opinion on your claim?
#4Author of original report
Tue, November 08, 2016
Perhaps there was some sort of language barrier but I laid out my story quite clearly in my report. I also provided photographs showing that a) I purchased BlueDevil Pour-n-go Head Gasket Sealer and b) how it sealed my thermostat shut instead. I also keep a daily electronic driving record, for my work, that shows my vehicle was driving between 1,000 and 1,200 miles per week up unil the day I used BlueDevil Pour-n-Go Head Gaskest Sealer.
Language barrier or no, I find it rather odd that you would attempt to impune the honesty of the user of a product that you asert never works as advertised. Are you here mearly out of some preverse spite toward people who have been damaged by defective products or do you get paid to do it?
Josh
Rolla,#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, November 03, 2016
What proof do you have that their product, and not the blown headgasket, caused the alleged overheating? It sounds like you are trying to get this company to repair your junker at their expense. Early-2000s Subarus all have head gasket issues, and your car was essentially worthless given the mileage and the extensive repairs it requires, even before you used the treatment. Which is why you used it, instead of having the head gasket replaced. These products are a hail-Mary, and I don't think there has ever been a recorded case of them actually working, but your car was ready for the junkyard even before you used the product.