Is there any kind of radiator stop-leak that is supposed to be the best? Normally I'd just fix the leak (remove radiator & have it repaired, etc). But this particular leak is in the heater core of a vehicle which requires removal of the dash to change, which is a HUGE amount of difficult work, with the considerable likelihood of breaking something else during the process, etc.... or VERY expensive to have done. It doesn't drip out onto the floor; it just fogs the windows and gives an antifreeze smell. So in this case the old "stop leak"route is sounding pretty good. Put it this way -- it's the easiest thing to try first. I have heard claims that stop-leak it will plug stuff it's not supposed to, etc. But I am inclined to think that claim is exaggerated or false, since a hairline crack causing steam buildup on the windows is a thousandth of an inch wide -- which is what the stop-leak is forumlated to address -- is infinitely smaller than the passages in any radiator or heater core. I know there are several different types of the stuff. There's the silver granulated stuff, the goop with the little pellets that look like rabbit turds in it, and I think there is some that is basically just a liquid of some kind, maybe kind of thick or whatever. Which kind is best for what I am doing? This has piqued my curiousity. For example, does the stuff have to get hot to work? Does it have to be under pressure -- so that the coolant starts to escape through the fracture -- in order to plug it? I saw some demo's on youtube with mfgr's simply pouring some into a leaking can and the leak stops. I thought, what about when the metal gets hot and the fracture expands, and under pressure now... Please don't give me any crap about this jury-rigging fix -- you all have done stuff like this too, or tried to LOL Thx in advance.
- posted
12 years ago