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coolant stop leak

A: Did you seat the seals in correctly & torque the bolts to the right specs? I’d check this first then pressure check the system as already stated. Fix the problem the right way & never have to worry again.

Q: Can the heater core in a 1999 Cadillac Deville be bypassed to stop coolant leak?
My car has all the tell tale signs of heater core coolant leaking. I don’t have the funds right now to have the heater core replaced…..can the heater core be bypassed for now?

A: YES, look at the junction under the bonnet were the hose split and do it from there. good luck mate.

Q: stop leak in the coolant resevoir?
I have a 99 cavalier 2.2 liter RS. I have a coolant leak and I wanted to try the stop leak additive. This make does not have a radiator cap so I was wondering if I can apply it to the coolant resevoir?

A: Stop leak, or any so-called sealer is temporary at best, if it works at all. It usually stops up the cooling system causing more damage. You will eventually have to repair the leak but after using the sealer, you will also, at the very least, have to replace the radiator and heater core.
^
It will be cheaper in the long run to just fix the problem right

Q: Pros and cons of using “stop leak” products for coolant leak?
I have written before regarding intake manifold leak on a 2000 Malibu. I got excellent advise, but was told by three different mechanics to get Silver seal, another said a product by Delco, and another to use aluminum seal . Other mechanics told me that these type products would clog my cooling system and cause damage.
I need clarification, please!!!

Also, since I keep coolant in it and don’t let it get hot when I drive it, won’t it be okay for a couple months until I get the moola to fix it? I’m using Dex Cool as recommended (and going broke buying it, believe me). Am I still doing damage by driving it even though it’s not overheating?

Thank you so much for your help.

A: Dont use any kind of stop leak.It will plug the rad and heater core. Get the car fixed properly. If the intake gaskets are leaking coolant externally, they may also leak coolant into the engine which can cause serious damage.There is only one way to fix this-do it properly.

Q: How can I stop a coolant leak on a ‘96 Civic myself?
A friend of mine mentioned something about a protein-enzyme solution that can seal it back up, but I can’t remember what it’s called for the life of me. Any other suggestions would be great. Thanks.

A: There are a number of products in the market that can effectively plug a small coolant leak, BUT, they are not deemed permanent, they are used to get by, sooner or later the leak will come back. especially after a coolant flush. I have used Bar’s Leaks Aluminum Powder Radiator Stop Leak with very good results, almost to the point that I forget the leak is there. results might not be typical, but I used to plug a leak on one of my cars 3 years ago, and it is still holding fine.

Q: Auto pros: how do I stop a coolant leak in a 97 Ford Expolorer?
It’s driving me crazy: I keep filling the water up, and in two or three days it’s low again. My mechanic said that there’s a slow leak and we need to wait to see where it is. But I want help now, before it gets to be a huge problem! What can I do? Please help! Thanks.

Trilli.

A: What engine do you have in that vehicle? if it’s a V6, 3.8 L, take it to Ford and have it checked for possible head gasket leak. If a different engine a slow leak in the radiator or hose system can be temorarily stopped with an additive in the coolant system. If it’s coming out of the water pump shaft, then there’s no temp fix.
Ford has had an ongoing problem with the head gaskets on the 3.8 engine for quite a few years now, and most if not caught end up costing owners well over $3000.00 dollars, as the leaking coolant into the oil pan ruins the bearings.

Q: I have a2000 Saturn LS2 with a small coolant leak. Where would stop leak be added – can’t find radiator cap.?
I can’t seem to find a radiator cap on my roommate’s Saturn LS2. She has a very small coolant leak requiring addition of fluid every few months. I don’t think stop leak should be added to the overflow (?) reservoir, so what are my options? The top radiator hose??

A: look for a plastic tank somewhere on sides of engine compartment! Fill cap is not on radiator! Tank will say “engine coolant only” on it! Do not remove when hot, it will “shoot out” hot water and burn you! – Since is is a pressurized system!

Best to first take to garage, and have them “pressure check” cooling system first! It could find bad warterpump or gasket leaks before they become a major problem and cost more money, — or possibly find hose going bad in an area where it is hard to see normally, avoiding rupture on road and possible expensive complications from same!

Careful which “leak stop” you use,- some easily plug up radiator and heater core!, I used lots of sealer in in 55+ years,- found Alumaseal to be the best, and one “tube” will not plug anything up! It acts more like a lubricant to help waterpump last longer (if it is good now)! Use the “all silver” one, – not the “copperish” one, this is better on real bad leaks but does not really work as good as the other one normally!

Note: the “expensive” stuff may not be the best either I bought a $120 “super-duper sealer” for my Acclaim several years ago, was suposed to fix leaks in headgasket, – — actually it did, after the engine was replaced,- the new one had no headgasket leak,! Caused it to destroy a piston and drop valve seat, – 80 miles form nearest garage in West Texas! Should have pulled the head and replaced headgasket instead of trying that new stuff! That would have cost me an aftrernoon and around 65$, – instead of two days and a $400 engine out of a wrecked car!

Q: 96 saturn sL with coolant leak. No radiator reservoir cap so where do i put the stop leak?
I know you dont put it where you pour the antifreeze. the directions say to put it directly into the radiator.

A: Yes, you do put it where you add anti-freeze, it’s the only way in. But like michael S said , avoid this stuff at all costs! This crap will cause more harm then good.

Q: Stop coolant leak products?
is it bad to use a stop coolant leak additive? i heard its bad to use because it can clog your engine. Are there any ways to flush out the stop coolant leak additives or cleanse your engine if that makes any sense?

A: I have heard the same thing many times, but I have used them for years with no problems. Sure beats replacing a radiator every time.

Q: Can I put stop leak in through the coolant reservoir?
I’ve had radiators like this before and I always had trouble getting the stop leak in. Can I just add it to the reservoir instead?

A: It is not recommended. The biggest reason for this is that the Stop Leak is made to work via the heat that is created in the radiator. If you pour it in the reservoir, it will just separate out and the active ingredients will settle to the bottom of the reservoir and not into the radiator.

Q: will bars stop leak stop a small coolant leak ?
i have a 2001 ford ranger with a coolant leak, it looks like its leaking from where the top hose attaches to the radiator, looks like the seam on the hosecock, its a small leak, only leaking when i shut the engine off. its a plastic radiator, will bars leak stop this leak ? or should i try jb weld around the seam ?? any suggestions greatly appreciated, i cant afford a new radiator, thx

A: the way they make cooling systems these days,itll just plug things up.remove the radiator,make sure its clean and dry.sand the area to be patched,inside and out.jb weld both sides

Q: how to stop coolant leak?
A tiny, slow leak, between engine block and water pump, only when the engine is running.

A: Try tightening the bolts holding water pump to block. I am assuming the pump is installed into the block and not remote mounted. The leak could also be coming from the weep hole in the pump (small hole in the pump casing) – in which case the seal is leaking and you must replace the pump.

You can try the siver leak stuff but it will gum up the rest of the cooling system – not the best idea.

If tightening bolts and silver leak stuff fail it is time to pull pump and change the gasket and us a little Permatex when installing the new gasket or o-ring(type dependant).

If you go though the hassle of pulling the pump it is also a good idea to just change the water pump while you are there as the price of the pump is small compared to time involved in changing the pump. (After fixing the gasket the pump could fail next week and you will have to pull it again).

Hope this helps.

Q: 1999 ford taurus leaking coolant from radiator. i don’t see radiator cap where do we put the stop leak in?
would we put the stop leak in through the reservoir or can you tell me where to find the radiator cap?

A: Look into having the problem fixed. Stop leak works but it also stops the flow in other places you don’t want also. I’ve seen that stuff clog heater cores solid

Q: What do you do if you accidentally pour radiator stop leak, coolant, and water into the engine fill hole?
My daughter has a 1996 Chevy Cavalier with 120,000 miles. She accidentally poured radiator stop leak, coolant, and water into the engine fill hole because she was trying to fix a leak in her radiator. She did run the car for about 1 minute. Our plan is to tow it to Jiffy Lube, have them drain the engine, add new oil, flush with flushing liquid, drain the engine again, and re-add new oil. Does that sound OK? Unfortunately, she may have damaged the car when she ran the car (hopefully not too severe). Sh

A: You pretty much answered your own question. All you can do is have a professional look at the engine on a computer and see if there is any damage.

Q: 1999 ford windstar se, stop leak and a coolant flush?
I had my friends dad look at my car because it has been sitting for 8 months,he noticed that my coolant was brown and said i should get a coolant flush, so i drained the coolant and then found that there was stop leak in the coolant reservoir. Was wondering if that would have turned the coolant brown? Also is it okay to leave the stop leak in there well flushing the system or should i clean the reservoir out? Also prior to the car sitting for so long i never had any problems with any coolant leaks. I’m not sure the last time the radiator was looked at since the previous owners could not remember or find a bill that for the last time it was looked at.
what should i use to clean the gunk out?soap and water didn’t work the greatest.

A: Clean everything out.

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