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#1 |
The Red Menace
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Roseburg, OR
Posts: 577
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Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
Running around today, and after shutting the engine off, I opened the hood to look at something else, and noticed a pin hole leak in the side of the radiator just below the upper hose fitting. Seems to stop when the engine is running. That side of the radiator has green streaks all the way down, so it's been going on for a while. Doesn't seem to be a big deal, but I'd like to stop it. Do any of those stop leak additives work, or will they kill my water pump? I saw some copper repair stuff that looks like the mighty putty you see on TV, should I slap some of that on the outside? Any suggestions would be great!
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1971 Custom 10 - 350/350TH - Pwr steering, gauges, Chrome front bumper, Chrome hubcaps, Door edge guards, HD rear springs (current) 1968 C-20 Custom Camper - 350/350TH (orig 327), Pwr steering & brakes, gauges w/tach (former) 1968 C-20 - 307/3sp column (Dad's when I was a kid) "Driving is like coloring. Things get messy if you can't stay inside the lines." |
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#2 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Hacienda Heights, California USA
Posts: 474
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
Quote:
If that doesn't do the trick. BARS stuff seems to work ok, but its only a band aid, not a guaranteed repair. Personally, I would try the putty as its something that I am not putting into the engine. Good luck.
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'72 GMC custom camper 350/350 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Midlothian, VA
Posts: 148
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
You would think under the pressure of running it would leak more. Is it the expansion of the heat that closes up the leak?
![]() How old is your radiator? If it is original try the external patch, but start shopping for a replacement!
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![]() 383 Stroker - Edlebrock Air Gap intake and 670 CFM Holley Street Avenger carb. Hooker Comp Headers w/ X-Pipe and 2.25 duals TKO-500 & 3.08:1 rear I Love HEMI's, they're soft & chewy! ![]() |
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#4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
take out rad and bring to rad shop for repair or replacement
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lewisville, Nc
Posts: 10,234
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
take it to a rad shop for like 20 buxs have them fix it. i uses that stop leak stuff once and wish i never had stoped up my t stat my water pump cost me more to actly fix the truck then it was to fix the leak the right way
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David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube Last edited by truckdude239; 04-05-2009 at 07:26 AM. |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: dallas ga
Posts: 1,505
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
If you are in a pinch use black pepper..... but id just have it fixed if not
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: huntersville, nc
Posts: 144
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
DO NOT use bars, or others like it. it will stop up every "leak" it finds. meaning the t-stat, heater core, thre rest of the radiator. JB Weld works well on radiator leaks. clean the area well, scuff it up and apply while the radiator is cold. let it harden for the time recommended and maybe then some. if you really want to use a stop leak, try this....subaru has a stop leak that does not clog the rest of the system. this is because it never solidifies in the system. it stays in a gel form so it is safe. they use this to stop/prevent head gasket leaks that are ever so prominent on the H engines. it works very well. Justice Brothers has a similar chemical, but im not sure if they supply where you are. good luck man. if its a really old radiator, look into replacing it. Webster Radiator has good prices, and sells to the consumer, not just wholesale.
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![]() 69 burb/01 yukon chassis 65 Comet Caliente 289 4 Door Sedan 99 Millenia S (supercharged) 4 Door Sedan 02 Yamaha R6 69 swb c10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...36#post3799136 building with a buddy: 85 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...94#post3708194 |
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#8 |
Gone to greener pastures
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gateway to the Delta
Posts: 7,354
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
KW Block Seal works most excellently.
But you have to follow the directions explicitly. That is you have to flush out the cooling system and have ABSOLUTELY no antifreeze in it; and then go from there.
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'69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck |
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#9 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
some decent advice, some crazy talk.
I have personally used the stop leak stuff that you dump in the coolant, many many times, and I have never ever had a part go bad, nor an engine get clogged. I've dumped 4 times the recomended 'dose' to get the job done... again, never a clog. Fixing it externally is not a bad idea, I would deain the rad, and I would just use JB weld, or that A and B putty. Drain the level down, remove paint and corrosion in the bad area, and wipe down with brake clean. However, as pointed out, that is a $20 fix at a rad shop, plus, they'll pressure test it and see if it needs more work, they'll look in it and tell you if you are spending money on a piece oif crap... ect. As far as leaking only when the engine is off... for about a min or two after the engine is shut off, after being brought up to temperature, that's when the cooling system is under the most pressure. |
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#10 | |
The Red Menace
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Roseburg, OR
Posts: 577
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
Quote:
Thanks Everyone!
__________________
1971 Custom 10 - 350/350TH - Pwr steering, gauges, Chrome front bumper, Chrome hubcaps, Door edge guards, HD rear springs (current) 1968 C-20 Custom Camper - 350/350TH (orig 327), Pwr steering & brakes, gauges w/tach (former) 1968 C-20 - 307/3sp column (Dad's when I was a kid) "Driving is like coloring. Things get messy if you can't stay inside the lines." |
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#11 | |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
Quote:
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: THOMASVILLE,NC
Posts: 50
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
The best way to fix a radiator is to brase it or replace it.I just replace a intake gasket on a 4.3 vortec.If you would've seen what I saw in those heads you would never put that crap in you radiator or motor.Remeber cheapest is not always the best route.My opinion
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Brighton, TN
Posts: 1,267
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
Quote:
Now back to your radiator problem. If its just a pin hole get you some map gas and a coathanger and just braise it up. Only takes a few min. Radiator shops can do it as well for next to nothing if you take it to them. Ive used the aluminum seal stuff and always had good luck with it but its always a temporary fix. Might as well spend the few dollars and do it right and have piece of mind.
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A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the world together. Last edited by monte0185; 04-06-2009 at 11:08 AM. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: travis afb
Posts: 304
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
I agree don't use it unless you have to. A new or rebuilt rad. will save you down the road. The stop leak will clogg everyting up.
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67 gmc 1/2 ton, 5.0 v6, 4 speed SOLD!! 70 Chevy C-10, 355, th400, 3.73's 2/4 drop |
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#15 |
It'll Buff Out!
![]() Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 603
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
I have used the stuff that looks like pepper at the auto parts store(sorry don't remember the name) and I have found it built up on the t-stat when I changed that later on.
Once in a Toyota I had the radiator stopped flowing due to the P.O. using well water. I pulled it and had it Rodded for $50. a year later I had to replace it and it only cost me $90 for a new one. I wish I would have known because the new one lowered my running and temp and my A/C blew cooler. Sometime its just better to replace it. My .02
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"Instructions are just another mans opinion" Become a Supporting Member http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php Man Card Rules http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=634550 72 Chevy Cheyenne Super 400 LWB |
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#16 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: dallas ga
Posts: 1,505
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
I wasnt kiddin about the black pepper.... I was in the middle of no where one time and an old timer told me it would work so I tried it and it got me home of coarse i replaced it and flush the system afterward i was amazed but really did not think i had anything to loose.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Salina, Kansas
Posts: 1,998
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
i had a small link so i went to autozone and got their "stop leak" its like flakes you drop into the radiator.. and they say dont use a whole tube or u will clog stuff up... i did it anyways... it stopped the leak and had no problem since
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1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796 |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Salina, Kansas
Posts: 1,998
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
best $1.99 i ever spent
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1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796 |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: THOMASVILLE,NC
Posts: 50
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
O.k. We warned you.that 2 bucks is going to cost way more than that in the long run.
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#20 |
I really hate wet sanding!
![]() Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Brookfield, MO
Posts: 601
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
I have used a product called something like aluma seal. It is a powder comes in a small 1 inch tube about 3 inches long. It kind of looks like powdered aluminum...It will seal up small leaks. Never had any adverse reactions to anything else...cost like 2 bucks at most auto parts stores. I agree fixing it at rad shop would be the smartest thing to do, but the aluma stuff will cure the leak you described...
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#21 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
Courtney`s is the stop leak I use.He`s been doing radiators since before most of us were born and definately longer than all this goo was made.
Solder is the best stop leak.It doesn`t run through your motor. ![]()
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#22 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,005
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Re: Radiator Stop Leak, Is There a Good Product?
Been using Bars leaks for over 20 yrs. Always works, never a problem.
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