Radiator Leak?

It seems that my radiator may be leaking, however, I am not certain although it looks like it as far as I can tell. It is either that or a leak at the end of a radiator hose. I fear, however, that it is one tiny section of the radiator itself.

I checked into our Canadian Tire catalogue and found a 500 ml container of Liquid Radiator Stop Leak. Does anybody know anything about that? Will it actually safely stop a radiator leak? I hope somebody answers real soon as I plan to go there first thing in the morning and give the stuff a try. I will try and take a quick peek here first before heading on my way.

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

It will be safer to replace both the hoses first, before using anything inside the radiator. The liquid stop leak could plug up your heater core, costing lots of money in parts & labor.

Is the liquid stop leak a bronze powder in liquid or a dry powder or a milk or plant derivitive ? A quick call to two or three radiator shops asking their opinion on an internal remedy to pour in the radiator and when & how to do it, might help. Just ask if the person speaking is the one who works on radiators or if you could speak to the one who does.

Even call the local police dept. and find out who does their mechanic/radiator work. Then call and ask the opinion of the mechanic who is their best at fixing radiators.

Hope this helps. Don't forget to check for leaks around / from your water pump & where ever water/antifreeze could escape, not just your radiator.

(PS) I did not get several opinons and did stop up my heater core, and was too cheap to get it fixed till after an Ohio winter. (Who in Canada left the back door open ? Ice inside the car for a long time. Fixed now for sure.

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Edward F Sutton

[This message has been edited by Edward F Sutton (edited July 06, 2001).]

Cooling system leaks, one messy situation. I would say that the little stop-leak things are more for emergancy situations, as in, you're on a family vacation and don't feel like spending the time in a weird town getting the car fixed. It's better to do it right, than use a quick-patch job. At least, that's my opinion. If you're handy with a soldering iron, and can find the leak, that is an easy alternative. So I've heard, never have done it personally.

I took the car to Canadian Tire which is about a 20 minutes drive from where I live. I parked the car and looked for anything leaking out. Nothing leaking out. I had somebody from there to take a quick look. Still nothing leaking out.

I, therefore, purchased some top-up already mixed coolant and also radiator and water pump lubricant which also has a sealing a leak element to it.

A miracle? I was actually praying about that leak. Time will tell.

__________________________
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

Jaybee Weld. Holds anything together. Ed must have forgotten about that. Sure worked for us, but you use it on the outside of the radiator, not inside.

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For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
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Linda

For a hole or crack on the outside JB Weld works great, cure it with a hot hair dryer & it sets up like a ceramic cement. But need to drain radiator first & let dry off the cracked spot or pin hole.

(A)Do you have oil in the radiator fluid, or (B)smell radiator fluid in the passenger compartment ?

If (A) the engine block might have a very small hole or somehow it is leaking into the piston firing chambers & getting burnt. If (B) it could be a leaky heater or heater hoses.

Hope none of the above is happening, but is possible.

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Edward F Sutton

[This message has been edited by Edward F Sutton (edited July 09, 2001).]

It hasn't leaked a drop since last Thursday evening.

__________________________
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

Glad to hear it. That's a relif.

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Edward F Sutton

On my way home from work I noticed the gauge showing too much on the hot side, therefore, I headed for Canadian Tire once again.

I told them the story again. They think it may be the water pump as somebody there experienced something similar, however, they were unable to look at it any further this evening, therefore, I managed to arrive at home using the start and coast and start again method. Unless a miracle takes place, I will need to repeat that very early tomorrow morning.

I could use your prayers.

__________________________
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

If it is just too hot but with plenty of fluid, take the thermostat out & put the hose back on & retighten the hose back on. if the motor no longer over heats, it was a bad thermostat. If still too hot, probably a bad water pump. If the water pump needs changing, it is safer to change the thermostat at the same time. Keep the same heating rating on the thermostat.

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Edward F Sutton

They put it through a pressure text and discovered a leak in the radiator itself, therefore, a new radiator was installed resulting in an unplanned expense.

They also noticed that there is a slight seeping from the water pump seal, however, it isn't necessary to replace it yet.

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"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

Daryl

If at all possible, replace that water pump ASAP.
I had one that was just seeping and they said it didn't need to be replaced right away either.
Two days later it went, I was miles from anywhere and had to walk to a phone to call a wrecker to tow me in.
Not only had the expense of a water pump, but also a towing charge.

Thanks for the words of caution.

__________________________
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl