Does Silver Seal Heavy Duty Radiator Stop Leak work or better to get a new radiator long term?

Question

When the guy changed my oil, he showed me some cracks at the top of my radiator (Toyota Corolla '92). I can definitely see the leaking antifreeze.

Does Silver Seal Heavy Duty Radiator Stop Leak work well or would it be better to get a new radiator. (My wife and I are trying to save money for a baby right now.) How much do you think a new radiator (including installation fee) would cost?

Thanks for your thoughts and advice!

Answer 1

In my opinion, go ahead and pay to have a new radiator installed or get that one repaired if possible. I am not sure a repair is even possible with some Toyota and Nissan radiators as they have plastic top caps. That leak stop stuff can cause more trouble than it fixes by clogging other coolant orafices and making a repair that much more expensive later. With a new baby coming, you had best have good reliable vehicles so you shouldn't cut corners here. I don't know where you live, but it would be better to spend the $200 or $300 to fix it right than the $3000 or more for an engine later

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Does Silver Seal Heavy Duty Radiator Stop Leak work or better to get a new radiator long term?

When the guy changed my oil, he showed me some cracks at the top of my radiator (Toyota Corolla '92). I can definitely see the leaking antifreeze.



Does Silver Seal Heavy Duty Radiator Stop Leak work well or would it be better to get a new radiator. (My wife and I are trying to save money...

Answer 3

Silver Seal Stop Leak

Answer 4

Do you want to keep your car for more than a week? Then NEVER use a "stop leak" product.



It works by forming a buildup on the inside of your cooling system... ALL OF IT, including the all the areas trying to conduct heat.



So, while it may temporarily stop a very small leak it will probably jam your thermostat, damage your water pump seals and eventually cause overheating because you've insulated the metal that's trying to get rid of the heat from your cooling system.



What ever you would pay to get your radiator replaced, double or triple the cost if you use the stop leak.

Answer 5

If the problem is in the "honeycomb" part of the radiator Bars Leak stop-leak might work if EXACT directions are followed. If the leak is due to a cracked reservoir/tank that sits on top of the radiator, I know of nothing that will fix it properly. You might try a salvage yard for a replacement.

Answer 6

I would just be happy if I could figure out how to get into the darn

silver seal container!!

Answer 7

barrs always worked best for me id will depend on how bad the leak is sometime it works other times it wont