I just noticed a crack at the very top of the radiator and after I drive it there is a small pool of radiator fluid on top of the fan. A friend told me that they've had good success with that radiator Stop Leak stuff.....

Has anybody every used that stuff? Is it any good or will it cause more harm than good?

Thanks

 

Wellllll on myth busters they put an egg yolk in the radiator to stop a screw driver puncture and that seemed to work surprisingly well but i have never really had luck with the stop leak... especially if its on the plastic at the top.

 

It will likely cause more harm than good. Stay away from all those snake oil type products.

I would let the car cool, clean the cracked area really good (even down into the crack), wire brush the area thoroughly, clean it again, and use some JB weld. If you prep it really well, it will hold. I have repaired my radiator in 2 places like that and it is holding up great.

 

The "Radiator Stop Leak" stuff also likes to clog up all the coolant passages inside the block. Do the right thing and repair your radiator tank or buy a new radiator.

 

Thanks for the replies. I checked out the JB Weld site and they have their own radiator stop leak product http://jbweld.net/products/permoseal.php but I also checked out the original product and it says it'll apply to PVC and ABS so I'm assuming it'll work. The crack is right below the cap on the top which is plastic.

Trying to avoid spending $170 or so on a replacement otherwise I'd buy a new one. Wallet is thin and it's in desparate need of a clutch.

 

Found this on their "list of uses" section.....

"I'm a welder by trade but find J-B WELD works better and easier on many jobs, like fixing the neck on my truck radiator. I wish other people knew how much J-B WELD could save them!"

...worth a shot and much, much cheaper than a replacement!

 

If the area is clean, dry, and scuffed up really good I promise you it will work

 

I bought the original formula tonight (WalMart - 4.17) so if it's not raining I'm going to apply it then. Thanks again

 

Yeah you'll have no problem with the JB Weld assuming all the prep work is done right. It won't win any beauty contests, but it will work and the repair will last.

 

Fixed it so far..... took it for a test drive and so far no leaks!! ...may not be the prettiest but it's on the back side and you really can't see it unless you're looking for it - the light on the camera just really brings it out. Not bad for my first "weld" huh??