Thread: Radiator Stop Leak?

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.

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 ?
Bit of a worry with a P38 though as its engine is pretty fragile when it comes to overheating.

Deano

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

What about Nulon coolant stop leak???

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.

Originally Posted by redandy3575

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

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

Originally Posted by redandy3575

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.

Originally Posted by gt0336

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

This thread is making me hungry and thirsty!

Haha

Originally Posted by 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.

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.