Radiator Drip Fix
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Valley Center, CA
Radiator Drip Fix
I have a very small leak (drip) in my radiator. Rather than replace it, I am thinking of trying an additive like Bars Stopleak, etc. Has anybody had any success with using the various types of rad sealants out there? 
Jag
Jag
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 537
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From: Linden USA
A couple of things. Double check the radiator cap is not over-pressurizing the system. If it is, this can make little nuisance leaks. What I recommend is the Bar's Leaks tablets. You can find them at traditional parts stores like NAPA, Carquest and I think O'Reilly. These are the same tablets they have made for Ford, GM, Chrysler and many other OEM manufactures that they use in new vehicles and also at the dealers. You drop them in and they dissolve quickly. Also used by many race teams, ask for part number HDC.
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Ours had a corroded and plugged steel overflow drain tube. The pressure could shoot through the roof when than happens. Fortunately, I noticed it while looking for proper thermostat operation right after we bought it. it was not overflowing properly. Rather. it was shooting out a pinhole in what was left of the the overflow tube wall. We wound up trimming off the worst of it and opening what was left with a drill. It was then extended with a rubber hose. Now it "burps" politely and keeps the proper four pounds.
BTW: I check it by deliberately filling it to the rim after flushing. I then look, with cap off, for the thermostat to cycle as it starts to warm up. You'll see the water suddenly flow, stop, flow again - if the radiator has cold water in it. Then I put the cap on and wait to see it overflow a bit as the water expands. Then it will find its happy balance. I do this every spring and whenever I buy a new used vehicle. It's cheaper than trouble on the road!
BTW: I check it by deliberately filling it to the rim after flushing. I then look, with cap off, for the thermostat to cycle as it starts to warm up. You'll see the water suddenly flow, stop, flow again - if the radiator has cold water in it. Then I put the cap on and wait to see it overflow a bit as the water expands. Then it will find its happy balance. I do this every spring and whenever I buy a new used vehicle. It's cheaper than trouble on the road!
Last edited by The Horvaths; Jul 17, 2013 at 07:37 PM. Reason: Capitalization. Elaboration.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Kalamazoo MI
Personally I wouldn't use bars leak or others like it. It tends to gum up the system and flushing it out can be a nightmare.
I have however successfully used ground pepper and mustard powder. Others I know have used paprika or cornmeal. Sounds weird but it worked for me.
I have however successfully used ground pepper and mustard powder. Others I know have used paprika or cornmeal. Sounds weird but it worked for me.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: okla
Jag, I used a product that Oreilly Auto Parts here sells that is a powder in a tube [sorry don't know the brand] in a high mileage truck a few years ago and it did stop a small leak for a couple of years. I saw no sign of negative effects on the engine.
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Personally I wouldn't use bars leak or others like it. It tends to gum up the system and flushing it out can be a nightmare.
I have however successfully used ground pepper and mustard powder. Others I know have used paprika or cornmeal. Sounds weird but it worked for me.
I have however successfully used ground pepper and mustard powder. Others I know have used paprika or cornmeal. Sounds weird but it worked for me.
I too have heard of using various finely ground organic materials, including fine sawdust.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 310
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x 2
Times 2 on using pepper. A friend of mine was 100 miles from home visiting his mother and sprung a leak. Since he used the pepper (2 months ago)- everything's good to go! LOL Amazing
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
I discoverd a cracked head on one of my daily drivers allowing coolan to enter the combustion chamber. The truck is a 2001 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0L inline 6. I'm pretty busy with other things right now so I used some of the powder type of Barr's Leak. It selaed it up.
I plan on buying a reman long block but this gives me a little bit of time to finish some other chores before having to mess with it. Its been a month now and so far so good
Bobby
I plan on buying a reman long block but this gives me a little bit of time to finish some other chores before having to mess with it. Its been a month now and so far so good
Bobby
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Valley Center, CA
Thanks for the input everybody. I also wonder about the "goo" factor of adding stuff to the coolant. But, I am going to try the Bars and see if it helps or hurts. I will check not only on the leak stoppage, but see if there appears to be any adverse effects to the cooling capacity of the radiator. 
Jag
Jag
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
I have had Barrs-leak work on an old explorer that I had....it had a leaky head gasket. It would leak coolant out, but there was no apparent leak in to the oil or combustion chamber. A can of the liquid stuff stopped the leak instantly and it worked for two years after that with no problems at all.
Jag
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
The service station I worked at in the 60s sold a sealant called silver seal, It was a small tube of silver powder. We used it regularly and I even used it on one of my own radiators. I never had anyone come back with a plugged anything besides the radiator leaks.
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