Radiator Stop Leak?

[gt0336]

Im heading on a trip to Melbourne from Newcastle this week, while giving my P38 a service today I noticed that the radiator is leaking, I don't have time to replace the radiator before I go. Would it be a bad idea to add some radiator stop leak? Cheers.

[WilkoP38A]

I hope the answer is a resounding "yes". I just dropped a bottle of Barr's into mine because I couldn't find where the coolant was going. Haven't used a drop of coolant since.

[DeanoH]

A mate of mine ran the local radiator service for many years and reckoned barrs leaks was one of the best products ever invented. This was because (he claimed) it clogged perfectly good radiator tubes reducing flow and turned a repairable radiator into a throw away. Might be alright to get out of trouble but at a cost.
The only product he claimed did a good job was a Queensland product made from finely crushed peanut shells which did a similiar emergency repair but was easily flushed out when repairing the radiator. Can't remember its name but I used some coming home from Kununurra in a troopy with multiple solder cracks in the header tank and it worked well.
For a minor leak why not just crack the radiator cap so the system doesn't pressurise (forcing coolant out) to get out of trouble ? :D
Bit of a worry with a P38 though as its engine is pretty fragile when it comes to overheating.:(

Deano :)

[redandy3575]

Crushed Peanuts:D......fair dinkum,lol.... Now I've heard everything,lol.

What about Nulon coolant stop leak???

[benji]

Years ago I used to own an 82 SD1, which was leaking from from the bottom of the radiator. I used the nulon stuff after using their rad. flush. Straight away the heater core stopped working, and a month later it started overheating.

Dad's a mechanic of 40 years, and my uncle is a diesel mechanic of 50 years, both of them say to steer away from snake oils.

[mike 90 RR]

Crushed Peanuts:D......fair dinkum,lol.... Now I've heard everything,lol.

Pepper will seal up holes ... and so will a beaten egg ....






What about Nulon coolant stop leak???

The point is ........ These products get you home, To be used as the LAST / NO option .... and you risk more than just blocking up the radiator, lots of water galleries to consider, plus you have to flush the block clean, on repair.



Im heading on a trip to Melbourne from Newcastle this week,>>> today I noticed that the radiator is leaking, I don't have time to replace the radiator before I go. Would it be a bad idea to add some radiator stop leak?

A risky idea indeed >>>> replace the radiator and be happy that your ride had the sense to spring a leak at home and not leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere

Cheers
Mike

[DT-P38]

This thread is making me hungry and thirsty!

[Keithy P38]

Haha

[PaulP38a]

Years ago I used to own an 82 SD1, which was leaking from from the bottom of the radiator. I used the nulon stuff after using their rad. flush. Straight away the heater core stopped working, and a month later it started overheating.


Funny coincidence, I also had a Rover SD1 years ago and blew a small hole in the radiator while hooning it around Mt Panorama on a Sunday afternoon. I clearly remember it was a Sunday afternoon as there were no workshops open. Think I ended up putting some Barrs in it after the coffee grounds didn't help much. Made it back to Sydney ok before flushing the system and replacing the radiator.

[Hoges]

Im heading on a trip to Melbourne from Newcastle this week, while giving my P38 a service today I noticed that the radiator is leaking, I don't have time to replace the radiator before I go. Would it be a bad idea to add some radiator stop leak? Cheers.

Am wondering how your trip went? Did the Barrs work? I discovered coolant weeping around the front headbolt on cyl #1 about 6 yrs ago so put in a can of Barrs and another about three yrs later. All went well until mid this year when I discovered the metal head gasket was leaking and pressurising the system...but not around the original leaky headbolt!
cheers

[redandy3575]

Pepper will seal up holes ... and so will a beaten egg ....







The point is ........ These products get you home, To be used as the LAST / NO option .... and you risk more than just blocking up the radiator, lots of water galleries to consider, plus you have to flush the block clean, on repair.



Cheers
Mike

Point taken.... But the question is, are these additives designed to block leaks, or destroy engines?? Cause all different leak sealant seems to made from different materials, so what is good , and what's not??

[Hoges]

It may surprise many to find out that stuff similar to Barrs Leak is used by some well known OEMs on their engine production lines to guard against porosity. When coolant changeover is done as part of the service, this "stuff" is renewed as well...It's not only Rover engines which suffer from porus blocks and slipped liners!;)

[isuzurover]

...product made from finely crushed peanut shells ...

lol... I don't think so Tim...

[DeanoH]

lol... I don't think so Tim...


"O ye of little faith" ............................. :D:D

Nothing like a bit of a challenge, I hunted around in the depths of the garage and found this.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/11/391.jpg

They even have a website. Young's Super Seal - Cooling System Sealant (http://youngsmp.com.au/superseal.htm)

according to the website.......................

What's in it?

Without giving the trade secret away it is made from a blend of natural organic fibers. Super Seal is a fine dry multi-tone brown powder with a mild organic odour. Processed a special way to enhance features of the organic fibers and enable them to react as a sealant in water. Unlike other sealants it is safe to handle, if released onto the road will not affect the environment and starts working to plug the leaks within in a few moments.

Certainly looks like crushed peanut shells, which is what I was told.

Isn't a Qld. product though made in Victoria. :)

Deano :)

[adm333]

Irontite all weather seal is one of the best to use.

The thoro flush and ceramic sealer are also excellent but a lot more work to complete the entire process.

The all weather seal will sort out minor leaks, ceramic seal is for porous block type leaks.

Dave

[benji]

To true Hoges, Mitsubishi, DAF, Kenworth are a few I've heard of that put it in, they wouldn't put it in if it didn't work - not on a $20,000 engine.

I'd say the existing holes in my old radiator and heater were small enough to be clogged up by the stop leak; in a new radiator it'd be fine.

Another reason to get the radiator rodded every two years....

[redandy3575]

To true Hoges, Mitsubishi, DAF, Kenworth are a few I've heard of that put it in, they wouldn't put it in if it didn't work - not on a $20,000 engine.

I'd say the existing holes in my old radiator and heater were small enough to be clogged up by the stop leak; in a new radiator it'd be fine.

Another reason to get the radiator rodded every two years....

It's cheaper to replace radiators instead of paying to get it rodded.

[superquag]

Where do you buy them from ??????

My Classic is due a rodding or a new radiator... got a leak around the soldered (?) seam from the last rodding by a nationally franchised company.:angel:

[Keithy P38]

Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order. - Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order. (http://Www.island-4x4.co.uk)

Brand spankers to your door ratiator for bugger all...

[PeterAllen]

I have recently replaced my radiator. New from Karcraft in Silverwater for $307. Interestingly when I took the old one out, the passenger side, front face was chock a block with black crud. The steering fluid hoses seem to very slowly seep and I have put it down to this vapour or mist getting blown through the radiator and depositing with dust, dirt and grime on the front face. I was going to blame an oil leak from the oil cooler thats located directly in front, but the oil cooler was clean and couldnt see any signs of oil leakage (at least in that area). May make pulling out and cleaning,flushing the radiator a yearly maintanence item.

[PeterAllen]

Hi Keithy, glad that you could get the raidiator from Island 4x4. I was going to but the freight charge to Sydney was as much as the radiator. They quoted me 150 pound all up. Don't know how you got such a cheap price on yours.
At 80 pound for the radiator it makes sense to get it from the UK if you can get a resonable frieght price.
Nevertheless, if wanting to buy locally, Karcraft is the next best source.

[glenhendry]

Island4x4 have a good website and range and prices, its a pity they take so long to answer emails about postage and they postage is so expensive. I have gone off them. It is frustrating trying to find the best supplier for things (apart from Hardrange of course :), there are so many websites to battle.

[redandy3575]

Bought mine on ebay from a Sydney outlet for a total of $285, with express freight included. The Radiator arrived last Friday 2 days after i ordered it.
Must say, the built quality isn't bad, condsidering the last one (being Scottish manufactured) only lasted barely 2 years. At that price, i wouldn't bother getting it rodded.

[parasnoop67]

Has anyone tried a product called Seal Up which is also for heads etc?

John