2007-02-10 08:07:40 · 6 answers · asked by Mr know-it-all 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If it is the radiator, it should be replaced. Stop leak should not be used as it can clog up other componants in the cooling system. There are shops all over the place that sells remanufactured radiators, or new radiators. There is no real correct way to repair a leaky radiator other then replacing it. anything that is patched is just a tempory and will need to be replaced. I have seen stop leak damage and clog componants, I have had to do a few heater cores and water pumps because the shop leak formed in there and gummed up. There are some stop leaks that work, but the absolute majority of them do not work well. When using stop leak use one that is recomended by the manufacture, do not buy the cheapest one on the shelf, or the most expencive one on the shelf, buy the recomended one. Stop leak only works for small leaks and only for so long. It also deteriates the quality of the coolant and the coolant will need to be flushed sooner. And not all stop leaks are an aluminum based. some are very thick, these are the ones to watch for.
2007-02-10 08:14:21 · answer #1 · answered by gregthomasparke 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can get this suff at Canadian Tire and other stores, I think it's called "radiator stop leak". It is a powder that comes in a small yellow tube about the size of a roll of quarters. I think it is just aluminum powder that collects at the leak site and accumulates, plugging the hole. I have used it myself and it acually works. I have also heard (from an old mechanic) that in a pinch you can crack a raw egg into the rad and that will plug it from the insisde temporarily (haven't tried that one).
For permanent repair in the metal radiator core you can take out the rad clean the leak area to the bare metal and solder it, use a rosin core solder to prevent corosion later as opposed to acid core solder. WILL NOT WORK ON ALLUMINUM CORES or the plastic end caps.
gregthomassparks above says it will clog your "other components" but that's bull because the rad core is the smallest passagway through the cooling system and aluminum powder ceratinly isn't going to clog it. it is not a permanet solution but it's better than pulling your rad in the middle of winter, and the rad I used it on outlived the rest of the car.
2007-02-10 16:29:27 · answer #2 · answered by passitforward 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've tried bottled leak stoppers - the results have been temporary at best. I'd recommend something more permanent. On a metal radiator, you can solder it with a torch. The plastic coolant tanks are harder to fix, but RTV silicone might patch it - you'll need a glue both flexible and waterproof.
2007-02-11 08:36:52 · answer #3 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either replace the radiator or get yourself a big bottle of Bars-leak.
2007-02-10 16:14:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
bars leaks is so good that many new cars have it in the coolant when you buy them--todays radiators need it they are not as well built as in the old days--don't believe gregthoma
2007-02-11 00:03:39 · answer #5 · answered by goodguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get some stop leak and put it in the radiator.then put cap back on then start it let run.
2007-02-10 18:38:59 · answer #6 · answered by blue 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋