radiator leaking, stop leak question!

[nivek5sfe]

im pretty sure that i have a small radiator leak, i dont know how long its been doing it because i just have started noticing it cause it smokes a little now that its cold weather.

my question is does that radiator stop leak stuff actually work and does it harm engine components? i have heard from some people that it could harm some things. i dont really have the money for a new radiator right now and need soemthing to hold me off until i have the money to get one. thanks.

[Eye8Pussies]

nope.

that stuff is fine, just make sure that you read the label- certain ones say that they can't be used in certain brands of cars for some reason- perhaps about all that damage stuff


but more importantly though is you have to see where your rad is leaking first
if it's a crack, then some jbweld would be the answer, and the leak-stop will do nothing
if it's a hose, then just change it
the only time the leak-stop really works is if your fins are leaking because then it;s so smalle that it works perfectly

good luck

[Davee]

Originally Posted by nivek5sfe

im pretty sure that i have a small radiator leak, i dont know how long its been doing it because i just have started noticing it cause it smokes a little now that its cold weather.

my question is does that radiator stop leak stuff actually work and does it harm engine components? i have heard from some people that it could harm some things. i dont really have the money for a new radiator right now and need soemthing to hold me off until i have the money to get one. thanks.

I used it on a volvo which went about 50,000 km after leak appeared . Had to repeat treatment once. I might coat the heat exchange surface reducing heater capacity bu tso what in Georgia

[amerikim]

I would use it only in an emergency situation as a temp fix. If you are starting to sping leaks - more are on the way.

[nivek5sfe]

i cant find exactly where the leak is coming from. i took the fan off today to see if i could find a place but i could only see where there is a moist place near the bottem of it, which is where i saw it steaming from the other night. i looked at the hoses and im pretty sure its not them. it seems to do it most when driving it and i diddnt get a chance to drive it today so i will investigate it more tomorrow when i will to try to pinpoint it better.

[marc780]

Until you take it to the radiator shop, i would use a leak sealer and the best of these is aluma seal. Its a powder that comes in a little tube and you kust pour it in with the engine running. I have used it on several cars with no problems, however once i got the leak fixed i would flush out the system well.

[Axel Kain]

i had the...no water in resavor even after filling it up and driving a mile or 2, plus back pressure in the system once i cut off the car symptoms...turns out to be a dying waterpump, im still in process of changing it, and timing belt while im there- almost done-. i realized it was the waterpumpwhen i filled up everything, and started up, looked underneath and saw my car peeing...lol, but not cool!!! hope everything goes well with you! <sorry

[Gary_602Z]

Even though you don't have the money for a new radiator it is still cheaper then a new motor!

gary