I've had a leak in my radiator for the past month and have finally got around to getting some stop leak and fixing it until I can get a new one. I just need to know how much coolant I need to fill up my radiator. I have a full gallon in the backseat of my car right now but do I need more? I don't have the owners manual or I would look that way.

 

I "jug" should be plenty to top off the coolant.

 

Too late to tell you not to put Stop Leak into your coolant system, although it is very good at stopping leaks it also tends to clog up the system, it is real bad for the heater core and the longer it is in there the less chance you have of flushing it out.

If you think a bad rad is a PITA just hope you do not have to replace the heater core because it is clogged up with Stop Leak. 94

 

I actually haven't put it in there yet, I have the bottle of it and the jug of coolant in my backseat, waiting till tomorrow to put it in. But hopefully I can have another radiator in the next month or two, just waiting till I have some spare cash. I have heard it can clog up the system, but my dad told me just to see what happen. I'm sure if anything does happen then he'll help me pay to get it fixed.

 

At the very least disconnect the heatercore and connect the two hoses together when put the stop leak in until it circulates a bit. Just so you know replacing the heater core requires dropping the steering column and pulling the dash, as well as usually replacing a couple of pretty expensive preformed heater hoses. I just bought a brand new rad yesterday to replace the current one that's leaking where the top tank meets the core, $79.17 with tax for a new spectra premium rad, and that's over here in Canada, chances are you can get one cheaper where you are.

 

I've also heard from a few mechanics that Bar's Leaks brand is the best you can put in it, and they haven't had any problems with anything clogging up.

 

Well then go ahead and not listen to anything anyone has told you and use it. Post back when your heater core needs replacing.

I don't know HOW many times I've seen people just like you posting up because they followed some mechanics, usually only familiar with domestics, advice and it wound up breaking something on their Honda. Last guy ran diesel motor oil in his car because a "mechanic" said he ran it in his Cavalier. Now he has a spun bearing and will more than likely be replacing the engine.

 

Keeps me working, we... http://www.airwolfeautoair.com/ install 4-5 heater cores because of Stop Leak, [and products like it] every year, this can be very expensive.

Depending on car, a dash pull can run 4-9 hr, add to that a heater core, a rad and a chemical pressure flush of engine, rad and heater hoses may have to be replaced, heater valve if used.

OP, your way better off borrowing the money from pop to get the rad right away, it could save you 100s of dollars later on.

Just looked it up, the last core we did, [because of Bar's Leaks] was for a used car dealer on a 94 Civic, $728.63 for parts and labour, normally a a used car delear would never spend that kind of money on a 94 anything, but this Civic was mint with very low mileage and would over-heat as fast as engine temp. could go up, so the car was unsellable, could not run it for more then 10-15 min. 94

 

Seriously people can say what they want about "ebay" radiators. I've had mine in for 2.5 years now with no problems (96 Civic DX). You can't seriously tell me you don't have $33 (that includes shipping) or can't borrow it. The one I bought fits like stock, I was actually pretty impressed with the fit and quality. I've bought about 6 of these for various cars over the past 4 years with no issues including civics:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Row-Radiat...item43a88a50d8

 

I have an Ebay radiator in the wife's hatch. No issues. $50.

 

Well I've talked to my dad, and told him all these things but he still insists that we use the stop leak and I can't really say no since it's in his name. I have enough to get an ebay radiator, more than enough.. :/ I guess we'll just see how this goes, and pray for the best.

 

When it clogs then make sure he pays for it.

 

Let me get this straight, the whole point of this exercise was to buy you some time to get money for a rad, but you have the money now, so what is the point in all this again?

 

To be honest, I'm not sure. I have enough money for probably 5 radiators or more, but dad said it was a waste, at least when I have my own car, I'll know not to use stop leak.

 

So you're NOT getting a radiator? If your father has already put his foot down then what was the purpose of the post?

 

He hadn't finally put his foot down to till this morning. I figured people on this forum would know a lot more than my father, so I thought yalls post could maybe inform and get him to change his mind but it didn't work. Thats the reason for this post.