leak in radiator

DaveNH · Sep 13, 2003

Before I attempt a repair I would like to know if
any one has ever has success with a radiator stop leak
additive.

TIA
Dave

JerryG · Sep 13, 2003

I have used Bars leak in a real pinch. I don't like to. Any of that a stuff will plug up stuff that you don't want plugged. It is a lot less headache and safer to just take it out and take it to a radiator shop and have fixed right.

pruntyc · Sep 13, 2003

I agree, Bars is probably the best stop leak, that you can find anywhere. But it is best to take it off and get it fixed right. I don't know if they still do, but they told me, that a lot of car companys was putting Bars leak in their cars from the factory. Don't say too much for the radiators they must be putting in them. But anytime you have a leak, you may get it stoped just fine, for the time. But it may start again at a very bad time, and unless it's fixed right, it will in time start again, nothing will solder it for you.

Bird · Sep 14, 2003

I generally just don't like the idea of putting stop leak stuff in a radiator, but many years ago, one Friday night while checking everything on the car ('72 Chrysler station wagon) in preparation for leaving on a vacation trip the next morning, I discovered a radiator leak and put Bars in it. It worked fine with no problems.

Hambone · Sep 14, 2003

I would agree with the others.
My vote for stop leak is a little different. When in a pinch, I used Alumiseal without any problems.

jinman · Sep 14, 2003

Dave, I have only used one type of radiator seal, so I'm not a real expert, but I believe the type I used was Alumaseal, like Hambone used. It's that small tube of aluminum dust that you pour into a radiator. Anyway, heres my anecdote.... I have a Ford Jubilee that I accidentally drove into a dry pencil diameter blackjack oak limb and it punched a hole in the radiator. I was on my country place with only electricity and no running water, so I was limited to the 5-gallon container I had hauled with me. As the stream of water was coming out, I squeezed the radiator fins togeter with a pair of needle nose pliers the best I could, but there was still a substantial leak. I had heard that the aluminum dust worked well, so I drove 10 miles to the nearest auto parts store and bought two tubes. When I got back, I started the tractor and poured in water until the radiator was nearly full. I dumped in the aluminum and watched as the leaking water slowed and finally stopped. I was sure the thing would eventially have to be soldered, but after 9 years, there has been no leakage and no problems with the cooling system.

pruntyc · Sep 14, 2003

Well, now its time for me to say a little more about Bars Leak then. I worked for a service station years ago and a man came in with cracked block, water coming out of the side of it. He said he had to have it now, and couldn't get a new block at that time. Probably just too poor, as many were in those days. So I told him I thought Bars Leak would fix it. He put it in and it had a stream of water coming out about the size of a pencil. Within a couple of minutes it quit leaking and he drove away very happy. That is one of the reasons I think it is probably the best one made. I have used it many times and it always seemed to do the job at least for me. I tell others they should get it fixed right, but I must admit I havn't I just put in Bars and let it go. You know don't do as I do, but do as I say.

Bird · Sep 14, 2003

Jim, you reminded me of another time I used Bars Leak. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif A few years ago, my brother and I made a fast trip to Ellensburg, WA, on the Memorial Day weekend, to get some of his mother-in-law's stuff out of a storage building and bring it back down here. We were in a Dodge 4WD half ton pickup pulling my little 6' x 10' trailer, and about 5:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning, I hit a mule deer at Ogden, UT, doing about 55 mph. So my brother did what you said, crimped one tube in the radiator with needle nosed pliers, then dumped in a can of Bars Leak, and we went on to Ellensburg and back to Dallas (actually Denton) with no leak and no problem.

Of course, as a teenager in my Dad's service station and auto parts store, I sold several brands, but Bars Leak was by far the most popular and we offered a money back guarantee on all our products and no one ever asked for his money back.

Docsknotinn · Sep 14, 2003

I have only used bars leak once. I had a S-10. It did stop the leak but then I never got it permanently fixed and going through Orlando the thing blew a Huge seam. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Of couse it had to happen hours from home. Dave

DaveNH · Sep 15, 2003

Thanks!
I tried Bars. I dumped two cans in as directed and ran the motor for
30 minutes. Appears to be working. The leak stopped. Cheap fix if
it holds!