Cooling system fix question: can you use *too* much radiator "stop-leak"

[RadShak1251]

A relative's car has a leaky radiator again. The previous owner had used some stop-leak & we could tell because of the nasty black sticky stuff coating the inside of the overflow tank. It started leaking again a year ago so I put in some "heavy duty" stop-leak (the kind you pour in, with chunks of a black asphalt-like substance) and the label wasn't kidding because it was definitely thicker & gooey-er than the standard variety. Well it worked very well actually & the car is used every day and for regular road trips. But man did it leave loads of that slimy thick residue in the tank!

Anyway, it's leaking again but instead of having it properly repaired, I was told to put in more of the stop-leak stuff (don't ask - I've gotten into some....loud.....discussions myself about this subject w/that relative for literally decades now).

Here's the question: does anyone have a guess as to whether using more of this gooey crud can eventually somehow foul up the cooling system itself?

Any opinion is appreciated!

[skippy_ps]

A new or even a junk yard radiator is a lot cheaper than an engine. :thmbsp:

Murray

[MudPuppy176]

Sounds like you used barr's (sp?) stop leak. The best. But it should only be a temporary fix. A bone yard is always a gamble, you may get one that's ready to fail. Maybe a JC Whitney cheapo?

[tboat4]

Sounds like you used barr's (sp?) stop leak. The best. But it should only be a temporary fix. A bone yard is always a gamble, you may get one that's ready to fail. Maybe a JC Whitney cheapo?

MudPuppy is right on. All those "stop leak" additives should be used as temporary only. Adding more may certainly lead to bigger problems. Get the rad fixed or get another one.

[MOPAR3]

That gooey stuff can block the tiny passages in the radiator and heater core. With a little searching sometimes a new radiator can be had for around 100.00

[240sx4u]

Yeah, don't put more of that stuff in. Bad news bears.

As everyone else said, a new radiator is a wise choice. Or have the hole in the old one brazed shut.

Evan

[cabinover]

Spend the money now or later, just depends on how much you want to spend but later will surely come and be more expensive. It's like a Murphy's Law or something.

[SPL db]

New radiator or new engine (possibly a new car)... it's their choice.

Scott

[bshorey]

I agree with all the other posters - this is only a temporary fix. If it's clogging up whatever hole the leak is coming from, just think about what it's doing to the passages where coolant is *supposed* to be passing through!

Get the radiator repaired properly, or you'll be looking at a new engine.

bs

[hypertone]

I'd never pour that garbage in my rad. It's only a band-aid anyway.

[RadShak1251]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I really do appreciate it.

I'll show him this - hopefully he will think twice about doing the "goo fix" again. Though I'm not sure since one time another car needed new disc brake pads & despite all the squealing (and a good job to pay for a mechanic) he allowed them to wear down so much they totally tore up the discs and a cheap repair turned into a much MUCH more expensive one. :(

[Oerets]

I've have had to use some of the pellets on a few cars because of small leaks . Something about the different metals used on newer engines .
I think there is a special stop leak for Fords and GM because of this .


But if you have a leak after using one round of stop leak time to try finding the leak . Flush the system with plan old water and baking soda then water before you fill it back up with new anti-freeze correct for you model car .

Good luck..

Barney

[HomerJ]

what's he hoping for, third time charm? might as well drain the coolant and pour tar in.

CHANGE THE GODDAMN RAD AND GET IT OVER WITH

[MontreuxBlue]

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[pahtcenter77]

"Cheaper" radiators usually mean less copper, less solder, less cooling and reliability.

Shop for a good price, but not necessarily the "cheapest".

[RadShak1251]

He's going to get it fixed properly this week. Thanks for the help y'all.