Anyone ever use Bar's Leaks Radiator Stop Leak?

[JBWeaver]

Heck, go ahead and do a body off restoration at that point.

I went through the radiator leak merry go round a few years back. I made the leap an installed a Griffin aluminum radiator and have not had a problem since.

Good luck and keep cool.

 

[Dave Z]

Heck, go ahead and do a body off restoration at that point.

That's what this seems to be turning in to! I was thinking the same thing before you posted!

 

[Eric]

That's what this seems to be turning in to! I was thinking the same thing before you posted!

Hmmm, I'm thinking I may have to rethink my offer:L. -Eric

 

[TWINRAY]

Might as well pull the cam too if you are going this far...........:bang

Gunna need new lifters then and if the heads come off you might as well get a value job done and replace the valve train with roller rockers. And how many times has a valve job been done without a ring job and then it blows smoke. Might as well put in new main and rod bearings and have the crank magnafluxed along with the rods.

 

[Hib Halverson]

most of the auto manufactures install barrs leak pellets at the factory to prevent small leaks in new cars. GM even uses it after replacing the leaking FI intake gaskets under warranty. follow the instructions and it will work for small leaks. back in the old days we used black pepper and it worked just like fels naptha soap on leaking fuel tanks.

The statement that "most of the auto manufacturers install Bar's leak pellets at the factory" is incorrect.

GM never added cooling system pellets from the factory, though it did recommend them for aluminum head L98s which had problems in the field with coolant loss though porus head castings. Additionally, GM service data specifies this as a one-time only treatment. If it didn't solve a problem, the heads were to be replaced.

Bottom line is that Bar's Leaks and similar products should be viewed as a last resort solution in a case where one just cannot afford to repair the cooling system properly. Know that the more one coats the inside of the cooling system with sealants, the less efficient the cooling system will be.

GM Service Manuals for many other cars with engines other than L98 (such as LT5, LS1, LS6, etc) specifically state to NOT use the pellets.

Posting poorly-researched information such as above is a disservice to CAC members.

 

[JohnZ]

That's not poorly-researched information. I spent my entire 37-year career in Manufacturing Engineering in GM and Chrysler assembly plants, the last ten years as Plant Manager of several plants, and every single car got two Bar's pellets dropped in the radiator at the coolant evacuate-and-fill operation, regardless what it says in any of the Service Manuals. Bar's pellets have been placed in every GM and Chrysler product since the mid-60's.

 

[zgator]

Hey,I know John Z from the second gen Camaro web site and what ever he says you can take it to the bank.The guy ought to write a book.Please listen when he speaks.

 

[helix60]

I've heard a lot of the same things about radiator sealers. That the inhibit heat transfer. But I have a '68 with thte origional Aluminim radiator which is not repairable. The rad shop recommended a product from Justice Brothers that is a liquid instead of a suspended solid like Barsleak. Seems to work pretty good so far, and with teh Aluminim Rad i don't have an over heating problem to deal with.

Regards,
Heli

 

[timme69680]

Been there, done that!!! You are better off just bitting the bullet and finding the source of the problem. Those types of products are simply made to 'get you home' kind of stuff. I would not rely on them at all.

 

[Mike McKown]

The statement that "most of the auto manufacturers install Bar's leak pellets at the factory" is incorrect.

GM never added cooling system pellets from the factory, though it did recommend them for aluminum head L98s which had problems in the field with coolant loss though porus head castings. Additionally, GM service data specifies this as a one-time only treatment. If it didn't solve a problem, the heads were to be replaced.

Bottom line is that Bar's Leaks and similar products should be viewed as a last resort solution in a case where one just cannot afford to repair the cooling system properly. Know that the more one coats the inside of the cooling system with sealants, the less efficient the cooling system will be.

GM Service Manuals for many other cars with engines other than L98 (such as LT5, LS1, LS6, etc) specifically state to NOT use the pellets.

Posting poorly-researched information such as above is a disservice to CAC members.

Hey Hib:

I hate to tell you this but Ford has also done the same thing at least since '66. Two pellets per vehicle. That's what was processed. Still doing it to this day as far as I know. John vouches for GM and Chrysler, I'll vouch for Ford. I believe the proper name for it was potassium chromate but we called them dog turds.

By the way, who is doing your research?

 

[Andy]

I used it on my 1976 about 2 years ago..Small leak and it has held for 2 years, buying me time to save money etc....In my situation, I have used it for decades on many vehicles without incident...Good Luck.

Andy