is there a product to mend a hole in a radiator?

Question

My Sis's pickup truck seems to have a hole in the radiator, as it loses water and runs hot. Hoses have been checked and none are defective.....could it be a hole in the radiator, and is there a product to add to the water which will mend any holes which may be present? If so, does the product work successfully?

Answer 1

stop leak at any auto store

Answer 2

There are many products available from numerous retailers, ie:Wal Mart, any auto parts store etc. Products such as AlumaSeal and Barrs Stop Leak have been around for years. Keep in mind that none of these products are to be considered a permanent "fix." In many cases depending on the severity of the leak you should put your money towards a repair or replacement radiator. As always the "quick fix" usually doesn't do anything except drain your wallet.

Answer 3

Do not use stop leak or any other "sealants"; they will plug the core and may cause your engine to overheat. You need to verify that the radiator is really leaking and that it isn't a head gasket, hose, or even a heater core. If the heater core is leaking; for example, there will be a strong smell of coolant in the interior of the vehicle. By all means, get the repair fixed properly and don't rely on some chemical that you pour in. You'll end up damaging your engine.

Answer 4

Yep, they sell it at the auto parts store, it's like a powder. Does it work? No! It might fix a little pin hole, but by the time you see it, the hole's too big. She could have a leak in the radiator, the heater core, engine block, freeze plug, or water pump. Better check it out!

Answer 5

Yes, there are several products on the market to fix *minor* holes in radiators. One is called Bars Leak, it is this syrupy/chunky mix - others are powdery metallic substances. The theory is they run through your cooling system and clog the small holes shut without clogging the entire system. Your local auto parts store or Wal-Mart should have these products. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Yes it is called a new radiator. Metal radiators remove and take it to a radiator shop for a good old rod out and solder back up. If the crack is on a plastic radiator tank the epoxy repair is only as good as the old brittle plastic around it. Don't take chances overheated engine can lead to expensive repairs. Smell the oil if burnt, It has already happened, Story customers say I shut it right off as soon as I noticed steam. I had to drive it thirty miles to my house did I hurt it?

Answer 7

There are lots of leak sealants around for your radiator. Most of them work fairly well. I would check all the hose connections too, that's usually the first place to check when there's a leak. And then the rest of the hoses, they're generally the first thing to fail, and fairly easy to replace. Good luck!
-Duo

Answer 8

There are prducts to do this. However if it is because of weakening in the radiator then the whole thing could let go at the worst possible time. rather check again and dont forget around the water pumps and pipe conection points!!

Answer 9

There is a product called stop leak. I used it on my car and it stopped a leak at my thermostat. That was over a year ago and it hasn't leaked since. You can get it at wallmart or any auto parts store.

Answer 10

Don`t laugh use a raw egg. I have seen it done and it works. I don`t know how long though. I would not have believed it myself if I had not seen it.