Bars stop leak for radiator? Does it work?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Keepforgettingmypassword, Jan 14, 2023.

  1. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    I have. I had a coolant leak once in Freightliner. It took about 3 or 4 bottles, but it does work. It works as long as it's a small leak as opposed to a big leak.
     
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  3. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I can't remember whether I used the aluma seal or bars, probably I've use both but I've had good results.

    When we were Paving my dump truck the heater core just started pouring water onto the floor. So I put in whichever one it was and that truck lasted for at least another five or six years until we stopped Paving. Still doesn't leak to this day.

    I think the trick to all of that is you can't dump a bottle after bottle after bottle after bottle into your engine. You need to use the smallest amount that you can to take care of whatever leak it is and if it won't fix it then go get it fixed.

    I have taken engines apart before that there was so much stop leak in them they definitely needed to be flushed at the very least.

    Only use just enough or get it fixed.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2023
  4. Kenworth6969

    Kenworth6969 Road Train Member

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    There's thousands of reviews online.
    If it didn't won't and was blowing up vehicles we'd know about it.

    Screenshot_20230116-134903_Chrome.jpg
     
  5. Snailexpress

    Snailexpress Road Train Member

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  6. Kenworth6969

    Kenworth6969 Road Train Member

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  7. zodiacflyer

    zodiacflyer Heavy Load Member

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    Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Diesels use the exact same antifreeze as gas engines. Just know that the mechanic is GOING to talk #### about you for a week,once he does the flush/refill on that nasty ### coolant you will have.
     
  8. MTMAUS

    MTMAUS Light Load Member

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    I usually get the steel knead it bar, plug the hole with that, then I usually cover that with jb weld, have repaired a few radiators doing it that way. Actually repaired my header tank this way and still going strong, but that was a pin hole leak.

    I prefer trying to slap a bunch of stuff over the outside first, stop leak is final resort.

    Honestly if it's leaking so much that you can't simply keep topping it up for 3 days, then stop leak isn't going to plug a hole that big.
     
  9. Keepforgettingmypassword

    Keepforgettingmypassword Heavy Load Member

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    I took 3 days off. I put on a new radiator. New resivour. And new bunk heater core. Because of the leaky heater core and the crack in the rad. I have had to top off the fluid every day.


    Question. I only removed 5 and 3 quarter gallons of fluid but, I've put 8 gallons in so far.
    I don't see any leaks or smell any fluids. Is this normal?
     
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  10. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I’ve heard quite a few claims about that stuff. Supposedly only thing that will seal a head gasket. It’s expensive stuff.
     
  11. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    My Classic takes 10 gallons. So did my WS, even though the radiator looked to be much smaller. Must have been low when you drained it. Also probably had air pockets from getting low and filling often. It’s common to add a couple more gallons after running it a while. Best to let it run a few hours with the cap off. Open any small vent petcock if equipped. Usually located on the highest spot of the top radiator hose. ( metal part)
     
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