Stop Leak Question

[JohnnyO]

The heater core on my daughter's Jeep Wrangler has apparently sprung a leak. You don't see anything but you sure can smell it. From what I can find on the web, TJ's require pulling the whole dash off to get to the heater core. I'm not of a mind to do that right now nor is my bank account of a mind to pay a shop to do it, so I'm wanting opinions on the best brand of Stop Leak to use.

Thanks.

 

[thisfords4u]

Dont use it at all, just find the heater hoses under the hood and bypass the heater core. Stop leak additives plug up all the little passages in your engine, thus causing more problems down the road. IMO dont use them, Ive rebuilt several engines, and when you tear them down you can always tell when a engine has had that crap put in it. The stuff plugs up under the head gasket blocking off the little ports in the gasket. DONT DO IT!!! IMO.

 

[Ronv]

Boy do I agree with ,'THISFORDSFORYOU" A former owner of one of my Rangers used it and I never was able to clear the junk out!


Good Luck

RonV

 

[martin]

Removing the dash it not that difficult of a job, more time consuming than anything else. Just remove the hundred or so screws and it comes right out.

 

[LearjetMinako]

It is best to replace the heater core than to add some puddy to your coolant. No garuntee that it will fix the problem. And besides, do the work your self and save a bunch to afford a steak dinner and drinks afterwards.

Dashboard removal for a 1996 Blazer. 6-8 hours worth of work of my own time, but saved my wallet from burning a hole in my pocket ($1000+ in quoted labor cost).

 

[shane96ranger]

I have heard from SEVERAL people that Ford puts Bars Leaks in from the factory. I put it in my Mustang when I did the heads. Also heard Chrysler does as well.

In fact, I just googled it and this is directly off of Bars Leaks webpage: Read the "Bars Leaks Story" on the left. http://www.barsleaks.net/d/index.html


EDIT: I do agree though, the aluminum crap in a tube is pure junk. But I've used Bars with no ill effects.

 

[rusty70f100]

I've used the aluminum bars leaks stuff before to get me by until parts replacement, but it's really not a good idea.

Take the whole dash apart? Ouch! When my Bronco 2 needed one a couple weeks ago, it was 5 screws, two hose clamps, and 15 minutes. Done.

I agree that bypassing the heater core may be your best option. Although with winter coming up, it might not be.

 

[Hahnsb2]

For something as simple as that, I'd replace the heater core...

Now on my Dakota, I've got a leaking freeze plug on the back of the block (yeah, inside the bellhousing) so I put some stop leak in it and it slowed it down a lot! Been in there for almost 20,000 miles so far. I used "aluma-seal" I believe.

 

[shane96ranger]

I used "aluma-seal" I believe.

I used this once before in my Mustang and it was absolute crap. It all settled in my water pump and was blocking the water from flowing as it should. Like I said above, I talked to several people, Ford dealer included, who said Bars is used from the factory. I used it and it worked great.

 

[adsm08]

Dont use it at all, just find the heater hoses under the hood and bypass the heater core.

Dude, he lives in PA, it's now November. Not exactly the best idea I've ever heard given the circumstances.

I have used both Bar's and the GM tabs to no ill effects.

Don't use the aluminum crap or Blue Devil. Those do clog the engine up.

 

[Mac]

Yep, not a good time of the year without a heater. Anybody remember that posting a couple of years ago from another site (Mitub) where the guy had an oil leak, went to the auto store and bought some "stop leak" and put it in his oil? He actually had pitures showing just how good it worked, like on the oil pick-up screen. Helps to read the directions. Good luck with your leak!
Dave

 

[adsm08]

I do not remember that Mac. If someone could find links, I'd love to see that one.

 

[kunar]

Yep, not a good time of the year without a heater. Anybody remember that posting a couple of years ago from another site (Mitub) where the guy had an oil leak, went to the auto store and bought some "stop leak" and put it in his oil? He actually had pitures showing just how good it worked, like on the oil pick-up screen. Helps to read the directions. Good luck with your leak!
Dave

that was head gasket bars-leaks. the instructions specifically said to put it in your coolant, and he put it in the oil. it made a nice thick mat that plugged his oil pump pickup, and starved the engine.

 

[JohnnyO]

Thanks all, I think I'll try Bar's Leak for now. Should I get the bottle stuff or the tablets?

(FWIW, my parents both drive Cadillac Northstars and GM says to put Bar's Leak tablets or their own in the radiator when you change the coolant as standard procedure.)

 

[shane96ranger]

The stuff I used is the radiator stop leak in the silver bottle (pellets).