RAD leak...should i try the 'bar's leaks'? before looking into any repairs?

[desimunda]

the leak seems to be right underneath where the big hose comes into the radiator itself and there is coolant running along the 'seem' of the radiator(i.e. the right side of the truck if u are facing it)

i checked around the big hose and the clamp is dry so not sure where the leak is. Went to the local canadian tire and bought a 'BAR's LEAKS'. anybody have any luck with this stuff before? should i even be using this?

thanks all

[corning_d3]

It sounds like the tank seal is leaking. Sometimes a radiator shop can fix it. Bars leak will probably temporarily fix it, but that stuff isn't good for the cooling system. Expect it to stop up your heater core..

[desimunda]

Originally Posted by corning_d3

It sounds like the tank seal is leaking. Sometimes a radiator shop can fix it. Bars leak will probably temporarily fix it, but that stuff isn't good for the cooling system. Expect it to stop up your heater core..

is there a few basic things i can check to make sure it is the tank seal?

so ur telling me not to use that bar's leaks stuff. if i were to use it i would pour it directly into the radiator? also, isn't if i have to replace the rad anyway does it matter if i used it or not?

[DonSor]

I would have a radiator shop pressure test the cooling system and find out exactly where it is leaking. From there you can make your decision whether to repair or replace. I would only use bars leak in an emergency such as if I were driving in the middle of the desert and need something to temporarily stop or slow down coolant leak.

[desimunda]

Originally Posted by DonSor

I would have a radiator shop pressure test the cooling system and find out exactly where it is leaking. From there you can make your decision whether to repair or replace. I would only use bars leak in an emergency such as if I were driving in the middle of the desert and need something to temporarily stop or slow down coolant leak.

ok thanks bud i'll get it looked at. funny thing is leak stops sometimes and then starts dripping again

[DonSor]

Which brings up another question. Does your system leak when the engine is cold such as when parked? Or does it leak only when hot and the system pressurized. Is the enderside of your engine wet with coolant? Try this. Hose down under your engine good, use gunk if you have to, and let it dry. After driving check the underside and see if you can detect the leak.

[desimunda]

Originally Posted by DonSor

Which brings up another question. Does your system leak when the engine is cold such as when parked? Or does it leak only when hot and the system pressurized. Is the enderside of your engine wet with coolant? Try this. Hose down under your engine good, use gunk if you have to, and let it dry. After driving check the underside and see if you can detect the leak.

well it is way too cold here -20C for me to hose down the engine.

but i think the leak only happens when the system is pressurized and i tried with all my might to get it to pressurize today but even after driving around and idling for an hour no pressure!

i think the leak is right at the top of the rad(right side) because that is where i chase the leak marks to. my temp. gauge barely lifted up from COLD...it was a exceptionally cold day today though..-25ish with windchill.

so i will need a warmer day to trace my leak i guess...because it wasn't leaking today...if its just a hole would bubbegum work?

[corning_d3]

Nah, bubblegum would fall off! Seriously, the only real way to tell is find a cooling system pressure tester. It's basically an airpump you can insert into the rad cap neck and pressurize the system. Don't use an air compressor. The system can only handle 15-16lbs of pressure. If you need a temporary fix, you could always loosen the radiator cap 1 notch so it wouldn't build pressure. But this might not work in a hot climate, since the system uses pressure to prevent coolant boiling. But at -25, I'd say your in no danger of overheating! :-)

[desimunda]

Originally Posted by corning_d3

Nah, bubblegum would fall off! Seriously, the only real way to tell is find a cooling system pressure tester. It's basically an airpump you can insert into the rad cap neck and pressurize the system. Don't use an air compressor. The system can only handle 15-16lbs of pressure. If you need a temporary fix, you could always loosen the radiator cap 1 notch so it wouldn't build pressure. But this might not work in a hot climate, since the system uses pressure to prevent coolant boiling. But at -25, I'd say your in no danger of overheating! :-)

yes now i am really considering using that bars leaks stuff, if i do should i wait for a warm day? i talked to a mechanic today and he said the plastic might be cracked so pour it in....now u were telling me it would stop my heater core?(pardon my lack of knowledge) so its not just a matter to trying whatever u can since if u'll have to replace the rad....ur telling me i can damage a lot more? why are they selling this stuff in the store then!

[corning_d3]

Yes, it can and most likely will stop up the heater core, which provides heat inside the vehicle. If you must use it, start off by using about half of it. Run the engine until it's up to operating temp, while running the heater full blast. If you need to use more, let it cool down and run the other half. The reason they keep selling it, is because people keep buying it.

[Bill_G]

As someone explained already, BarsLeak is meant for short term emergency fixes. It really does work on weeping cracks in the radiator. I've seen it fix a rock pinhole. But, once you get back to civilzation, you're supposed to flush it out and really fix the problem. Since you're not really sure where the leak is, pressure test it at a garage. they may have to jerk the radiator and fix it. You might be able to wrench out a good used one at the junk yard. Either way, invest in some new hoses while you're at it.

[DonSor]

Sorry about the -25 degree weather. we're suffering here in San Diego with 81 degree temperature. Back to your radiator. My advise is to get it fixed right. The cooling system is too ciritical a system to do any patch up fix.

[desimunda]

Originally Posted by DonSor

Sorry about the -25 degree weather. we're suffering here in San Diego with 81 degree temperature. Back to your radiator. My advise is to get it fixed right. The cooling system is too ciritical a system to do any patch up fix.

yes that is the plan to do it right. amazingly i have not leaked at all in the last two days. is this because of the cold weather possibly?

[corning_d3]

Probably. Do you do any city driving? It sounds like you do mostly highway miles..

[12Ounce]

For some short term relief ... try running with the radiator cap not fully in place, but loose. This will prevent the higher pressure on the radiator and slow the leak.

For the long term and proper fix ... start shopping for a new radiator. New radiators in the Atlanta area can be had for $100+. Even AutoZone carries many models of radiators.