Coolant stop leak additives

[JBM]

I seem to have a small leak somewhere, not sure where. It appears to be coming from the front by the raidiator. The raidiator is new, put in before i purchased the vehicle.

So is there any stop leak that is decent, and available at AA or AZ that can get me by for a month or 2?

 

[Chris142]

I think your better off watching the coolant level. All stop leak does is make a mess.

 

[JBM]

so just keep topping it off?

 

[Johnny248]

if you have a rad that is leaking, a product such as Alumaseal or Bars Leak tablets may help out. GM actually packages the bars leak in their own packages, so if it is endorsed by them for use in their vehicles, it is prob pretty safe.

 

[Familyguy]

If it was me, I'd make an effort to identify where the leak is actually coming from and fix it. It could be something as simple as a loose hose clamp or a leaking radiator drain valve. OR it might be a rock strike to the radiator core, a bad hose, bad waterpump, etc. I agree with the earlier poster who stated the stop leak products for cooling systems generally just make a mess and sometimes can help clog your heater core and other small coolant passages in the engine.

 

[Tempest]

I have been running the Prestone Super stop leak for a couple of years now and am very happy within it. It doesn't use large solids so you don't have large pieces moving around your system. It has worked for me at stopping small leaks.

http://www.prestone.com/products/coolingSystemTreatments.php
Bottom of the page and you can get it at Walmart.

 

[Vilan]

If the radiatior is new, see if it can be fixed under warranty.

If not, I've used Bars Stop Leak with success.

 

[XCELERATIONRULES]

Prestone super sealer is the only sealer worth a nickel.
Bars leak and other rabbit pellets just make the antifreeze look funny.

 

[pavelow]

Using stop leak (excessively) can clog your tiny heater core passages and in general, makes a mess of your cooling system if you certain types of stop leaks. Use it at your own risk...I personally don't use the stuff-I fix what is leaking. That comes from 20+ years of experience working on engines and cooling systems.

 

[pavelow]

Originally Posted By: JBM
I seem to have a small leak somewhere, not sure where. It appears to be coming from the front by the raidiator. The raidiator is new, put in before i purchased the vehicle.

So is there any stop leak that is decent, and available at AA or AZ that can get me by for a month or 2?
Check the hose clamps for tightness. Check the hoses for splits. I've seen many people start ripping stuff apart when the problem was just a loose hose clamp or split hose.