Best Engine Oil Stop Leak to use?

[EBottema]

Hey guys,



I hate using any kind of stop leak. I feel this is a cheap half assed way to fix things and gaskets or seals need to be replaced. Anyways, here is the situation, only time I would ever consider these used. We have a 1993 Lexus ES300. 140k miles. It has a nice little drip from the oilpan gasket that some worthless illegal alien mechanic fixed before we bought it from a friend for cheap. The cam seal on one side drips a little too. We are selling the car in a few months and sick of seeing oil drips in the street. I'm going to sell the car for pretty cheap. KBB is 4700 bucks on it, car is cherry other than the leak and a/c needs recharge. We bought it for 2500 and put about 250 into it. I'm going to ask 4000 for it and take offers...



Anyways, i want to slow the leak, I don't expect it to stop 100% but is there any brands you guys are familiar with, used and they worked decent? Thanks!



Erik



ps. don't say just replace the gaskets, too many projects and not worth it. Rather work on the cummins that this rats nest front wheel drive V6 pig

 

[nickleinonen]

how about some of that high milage oil??? they say they swell the seals to help stop leaks????

 

[fkovalski]

It has a nice little drip from the oilpan gasket...

Is there enough left to just torque it a bit to get a bit more seal?



I would try the high milage oil too as suggested.

 

[MMeier]

Bar's Leaks for oil leaks worked wonders on dear ol' Mom's Grand Prix with 141k on its 3. 1 l V-6. Had a small leak from rear main and off the plug for the where the distributor would've been. Too damn lazy in this heat to fix it the correct way!! :-laf

 

[EBottema]

Is there enough left to just torque it a bit to get a bit more seal?



I would try the high milage oil too as suggested.

Nope, not torque will help the situation. Kind of a funny story, accually it is sad but happens a lot in urban areas.



Toyota uses this really good RTV sealer from the factory. They never leak. We bought the car from a friend since she was going to trade it in on a new Acura. Well, we only paid 2500 for it (worth 4-4500)

While she has had it, it had always had an oil leak. Well, the illegal alien mechanic who couldnt speak a word of english decided the oil pan gasket was the easiest thing to change, process of elimination i guess. He used a cork gasket with rtv on both sides. I'm sure he split the gasket in one spot. Well, of course it was really leaking at the back valve cover gasket which he was too incompetant and laxy to figure out. I just looked today and there is a little seep from the oil pan, one of the cam plugs has a seep too.



Lesson, make sure your mechanic is not straight off the boat, or in this case, just hopped a fence, and speaks english...



MM- I read something online that this guy tried 4 different leak stops and none worked till he tried bars leak and the oil puddle from the rear main went away and stayed away. I don't expect 100 perfect but that would be nice



I'll try some bars leak tomorrow and next oil change i try the high miles stuff. .

 

[MMeier]

Just make sure you get the stuff for oil leaks and not for the cooling system, I would hate to see what would happen there!! I almost did!