Preston Super Sealer(radiator)???

[CumminFast]

I got my truck looked at today at a radiator shop because it was leaking fluid, and they told me I had a crack in my radiator. I have two options: get a new radiator($450-550) or try this Prestone Super Sealer. I told him I had doubts about radiator sealants and he said that he used Prestone in his own cars and it was the best. What do yall think? $500 is alot of $$ for a radiator!!



Thanks

Rick

 

[maint.man]

I gave about 260. 00 for the new one in my 96' . I think if ya' look around you'll find that the prices for radiators vary greatly, I know one thing the first price that I saw was 450. 00 :--) However, a local shop had a replacement for the Ram , which even saved me the shipping.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Can these radiators be repaired? Rather have new but my experience if it is properly repaired it is good as new, almost.

 

[illflem]

Don't know about Prestone but Bars-Leak works great. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33424

 

[JJW_ND]

Illflem????

Bill:



What do you think the catches of getting to very small headgasket leak to seal with Bars-Leak?



I have had a leak around the Tstat for 80K miles now. Many oil samples to confirm it is totally external. Changed Tstate several times with new gaskets..... it is the head gasket.



If I do not pull it leaks about a cup every 2 - 4K. Just enough that I can smell it when standing infront of it when warm.



If I pull hard it loses more to the rate of may be a quart ever 2K.



I recently noticed a very small (can;t find it) radiator leak only when temps are below -10.



I just added some Bars-Leak and will give it chance.

The NAPA store mentioned to use sparingly as it might plug heater core???



What is your opinion or anyone elses??



jjw

ND

 

[mfburns]

I suggest BarsLeak first, add it and watch it for awhile. If it don't work you are out $3. 00 I had a seal leaking in my toyota Van and the shop price was over $1,000 to fix it. I added Barsleak and drove it for another 60,000 miles before I sold it with almost 200,000 miles. Never leaked again.

 

[illflem]

JJW, the Bars-Leak is great stuff though I don't think it would plug your heater core unless you used several containers of it. I'd start out with quarter of a container, it won't take much for a small leak. The main thing is to add the Bars-Leak when the t-stat is open, coolant circulating, and will be staying open for awhile, i. e. a long drive. I'm sure you know very well this can be a tall order with our cold blooded trucks especially in the winter. I would suggest that a person who has bigger leak remove the t-stat add the Bars-Leak and drive for 100 miles. If you add Bars-leak to non circulating coolant it will just sink to the bottom of the radiator.

 

[pwr2tow]

when I was younger my 71 challenger had a leaking heater core and I used the bars leak stuff, it stopped the leak and did not harm the heater core, heated very well, even idleing for hours along side a gravel back road.

Had that car for many years afterwards, wish I would have kept that car.



Ron

 

[JJW_ND]

I was worried about the heat and circulation. With my winter front and no fan I drove about 10 miles (temp up to normal). Then kit the idle up to 2000 for about 10 minutes. Running empty the stat never opens this time of the year.



I only used about three of the crumble cubes. Will wait until summer (heat) and try again.



This should have treated the radiator leak though. Needs to get below zero to see if that one returns.



Been kinda of a wimpy winter so far.



jjw

ND



jjw

 

[pwr2tow]

The bars stuff I used was a black thick liquid with pellets in it. I don't know but maybe they don't make that kind anymore.



I have tried that silver powder stuff in other vehicles (my 82 5th ave) and it worked great until the next leak some where else and then the next one and so on, It was a dirty old radiator.



I would use one product and stay with that product in that perticular vehicle, never know about chemical cross reaction or non reaction.



Ron