radiator stop leak stuff??

[Lots-a-NOS]

Bought a used Be Cool radiator and unfortunately after I put it on the car I see that it is leaking from the tubes somewhere. It doenst leak when not running but after the pressure builds a little it leaks. Be Cool said I can send it to them and they would see what they could do but would charge me $100. I got the raidator for a good deal considering they are $500 new. Do you think the alumaseal stuff is worth it or any of the other sealers or are they just snake oil? Also will the repair last? Thank you!!!

 

[Trainman]

some of that stuff is total crap and some is ok. i would get some recomendations of a specific brand and use that. the stuff i used that i was sort of happy with was bars leak brand. maybe the experts can chime in with more. i know it will only work for a small leak.

 

[PL 73RS]

Pioneer makes the best stop leak, many new manufacturers use it. I would try a rad shop and ask for AIR-FLO. Killer stuff. Pat

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73 RS Black w/Silver stripes going to the dark side with a 468. 96 GTS Viper Blue w/white stripes (wifes).

 

[77thor]

I have used something called "Liquid Aluminum" and it works good on small leaks. I think it's made by the Bars brand. Autozone has it.

 

[mycamaros]

Do it right now, that stuff is only a temporary fix.

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Remember: Amateurs...built the ark.
Professionals...built the Titanic

 

[1978LT]

Do you know anybody who can braize or solder aluminum? That is the only way I would fix it

 

[DarylD]

I've heard Alumaseal can clog smaller passages. I do know this...When I was working in gas stations in the 70's a customer came in with a hole in his radiator that you could put a pencil in. He needed a quick fix so I poured in some Alumaseal and the leak stopped almost immediately. He had the radiator repaired properly several weeks later.

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A quote from a not-so-articulate FORD spokesman, "We'd better keep getting more better than they are getting better. Otherwise we'll be less better or more worse."

 

[Lots-a-NOS]

I am sending the thing back. Took it to a radiator shop and the thing is leaking badly from the top row under the top brace. It would need to be cut off, repaired and re-welded. I am not going to risk it. I am going to buy a new one. Thanks for all the replys. The stop leak stuff seems to be only a temporary fix.

 

[craggar]

I put bars leak in my Griffin rad 4 years ago and it still hasn't started to leak again after many coolant changes and on the rebuilds I never noticed any clogged passages.

 

[tom3]

Local GM dealer has some pills they put in cars under warranty to keep from fixing them, called "cooling system sealer tabs". Seems to work for many thousand miles. About four bucks for a card of them. My dealer put them in our last new GM vehicle, and it's our last because of it. (had to get my rant in)