Radiator sealant

[In_the_works]

Do any of those pour in radiator sealants actually work? I just discovered an intermittent leak in the right side of my radiator. Can't tell exactly where, but it's probably the reason I've been losing coolant over the last few months. Any suggestions? Any reputable shops that do radiator repair in North county?

[jeff]

Yes they work... but only for emergency use. Do NOT use the internal sealer crap. If you were cruising up from La Paz to home and were stuck in the middle of nowhere the sealer stuff is AOK to get you home but the long term effects are NOT good. If this vehicle is a daily driver and you want it to last I suggest you pull the radiator, have it pressure tested, let them locate the leak, and have them repair it properly. If the plastic tank (some radiators have plastic end tanks) is cracked you are pretty SOL.

I've used Bars-Leak, Alumi Leak, pepper, you name it, I've poored it into a radiator. The end result is a cooling system that's loaded with crap and eventually it'll ruin other parts of the system. Metal shavings and water pumps don't like each other. Passages blocked with Bars-Leak or pepper cause a system to run hotter than normal and in some cases can cause hot spots that'll cause failure elsewhere. And if you are running the Orange DexCool in your system I'd advise you to flush it all out and replace it with the normal green stuff. DexCool sucks for high mileage vehicles and I'm pretty sure a class action lawsuit is being put together by owners of vehicles literally eaten away from the inside out by DexCool.

Aloha

[fathead]

I once saw Magiver use an egg white to stop the leak in a radiator of a jeep that had been shot. It worked and he was able to escape the bad guys and save the hot girlie that they were after..he was also able to hot wire the jeep and drive it away by touching two wires together under the dash.


Hope that helps......

[In_the_works]

It is a daily driver and I'd like it to be around for a long time, so it looks like Ill be going the expensive route...or just buy a dozen eggs. And no, I'd never use DexCool.

[michael_loomis]

i just bought a radiator for my sonoma at JSA in el cajon ca. for 230 bucks .... best deal i could find that wasnt online. its a V6 with auto , meaning its the pricey one with both the engine cooler and tranny cooler . my overheating problem is gone and in fact it runs way too cool now , time for a stat change. i changed my heater core to ....as it was attacked by electrolysis and had a pin hole .... which im assuming is what is going on with your radiator.

for repair , we use advanced radiator in escondido at work .... good work at a decent price. sorry i dont remember the number

[BIG_FAT_LOSER]

I second the use of internal sealers as a last ditch fix, i used Aluma-Seal and no longer have a working heater core.

[Dave_G]

Use a wad of chew preferably Skoal or Kodiak. That's what Dan Smith and Dave Ashley use http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
.
.....true story.

Dave

[BugRacer]

I heard pepper could work,If it had to. When I was 16 and had to go out one night, I used bondo to fix a leak on my 69 Mustang fastback radiator. It worked for a long time. <font color="yellow"> </font color>

[mcne]

I personally use Bars Leak. It has worked great for me. It is only intended for temporary fixes but I am using it for long term with no side effects. Ford Racing uses it as preventive maintenance on their race cars(in the 60's and 70's). The formula hasn't changed much since then. It is also good because it helps lubricate the water pump. I have heard tons of horror stories about the additives but when used correctly I believe they do no harm. I have not heard any stories about Dex Cool. I just flushed out my system and replaced it with the new Dex Cool. What does it do? Has anyone ever had it happen to them personally? Brian.

[matt_helton]

take it from me. get the DEXCOOL out of your truck as soon as you can. i see it every day. the stuff is total crap. it will turn to sludge and plug up everything. its bad stuff. i wish GM would change but they are in too deep to back out now, they just keep lying to everyone that the coolant is good, and they say you can leave it in for 100,000 miles. HAHAHAHA, yeah right, ive seen it turn to goo in cars that have 20,000 miles, or LESS!!!. just do a nice 50/50 mix of green coolant and distilled water.

[TYG]

I must second the comment about using distilled water in you cooling system. Here is the mix an old time truck driver gave me one time and it works.
-In So Cal over 32 deg F
-25% green coolant
-75% distilled water
-Napa Cool or Dex Cool additive (keeps system balanced form going acidic and lubricates)
-Water wetter (redline)
I can attest that this works (my truck, Peterbilt has 650k on it and runs back on forth to El Centro a few times a week) it has NEVER overheated even loaded on Mtn Springs grade in 110+ heat. I can open the radiator up and see no deposits, just replaced the water pump (seals) and no corrosion or rust. Since we've been running this in all of our vehicles we have had NO cooling problems. Oh yah, try to change your coolant once a year too.