Blown Head Gasket

Jimny O2 2003 

We pulled over on the motorway after seeing white smoke coming out of the exhaust and a flashing engine light on the dashboard. After the RAC gave an assessment and the Tow Truck man got us home - they were both confident I have blown my head gasket. 

The car still runs, but it makes a spluttering / miss firing sound. I am looking for a Jimny experienced mechanic for an assessment / quote and I am also looking for some advice on using sealant like Steel Seal. 

I have included photos of the car and photos of the water / coolant nozzle. It’s a bright orange colour? 

I really need advice on what to do next please. 

Unfortunately because of manufacturers no longer using standard colours for coolant it's difficult to tell just from looking if you have failed coolant that has allowed rust to propagate and cause problems or whether that's just the colour it started as?

As for a suitable mechanic where in the country are you situated, I know a couple in north Yorkshire who I would suggest but that's no good if you are in Torquay or Wick.

I live in London, south east. I suspect the orange is caused by rust but the coolant Ive used is pink / red.

I am considering using a sealant like Steel Seal. I’ve heard people have great results when head gaskets haven’t fully blown. Although it sounds like I need to flush out my radiator before I do so.

K-seal is the goto if you are getting rid. It lasts a few months the first time you use it. If you've only had the car a few months it has probably had K-seal already though.... (K-seal will refund you the price if it doesn't gunk up the leak initially)

Magic fluids can cause problems with blocking narrow passages and the heater matrix

If you are keeping the car, fix it properly with a new gasket and the head facing flat.

Of course getting the gasket fixed is the preferred route - I am just struggling to find a mechanic who knows jimnys and won’t charge me a fortune.

I’ve had the car 2-3 years now and there’s a new problem every 6 months.

I got the car back from the garage and they said the leak is bad - water leaking into the compression chamber, exhaust etc.

They quoted me £2.5-3k to replace the gasket.

Considering using Steel Seal as a last chance saloon.

Not sure what the best thing to do is. We’re not paying that much to get it fixed and I’m worried the sealant might make things worse.