what are sealer pellets?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 291
Likes: 1
From: Temecula Cali
Then GM screwed them up from birth.I do agree this in a million years doesn't sound like good advice, adding bars leak pellets to a cooling system, but I think it reflects that all is not picture perfect in a brand new car when it comes off the assembly line.
Dissimilar metals, porous castings, and loose manufacturing tolerances contribute to having the need for such items like pellets.
You'd be surprised what is done at the factory level. Both good and bad.
My favorite "cover your ***" TSB came from Chevrolet, in 1955, when the first small block 265 V8's had warranty issues over piston rings not seating... they recommended the dealer mechanics to dump bon-ami scouring powder down the carb while running lol.
Rob
Last edited by chileverde; Jul 11, 2010 at 03:25 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 291
Likes: 1
From: Temecula Cali
It's right in my 1994 FSM under coolant refill procedures. Pg. 6B-16
"DRAINING AND FILLING THE COOLING SYSTEM
Every 12 months or 15,000 miles whichever first occurs, the items listed under the Maintenance Recommendations" should be serviced.
Every two years or 30,000 miles whichever first occurs, the cooling system should be drained and filled using the following recommended procedures:
1...
11. after 4 minutes of engine operation or once the level of water/coolant mixture is maintained at the base of the neck of the radiator surge tank (whichever occurs first), turn the engine "OFF", add 6 cooling system sealer pellets, GM P/N 3634621 (VIN P only) through opening in the radiator surge tank and install the radiator fill cap on the radiator surge tank making certain the arrows line up with the overflow tube."
I kid you not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
So does mine - Bulletin followed. GM doesn't even run Coolant through the Intake anymore which was the area of most leaks - though they've had a hell of time with some of the composites; especially on the sixes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
As stated, many GM cars came from the factory with them, and have instructions in the service manual to add them.
If you have a leak, it's true this may not be the way to fix it. But the pellets themselves when used in a proper amount, pose little risk to anything. They are mostly walnut shell. They will not corrode anything, they don't sludge, and supposedly they can help keep the water pump cleaner by "scrubbing" it.
I've put coolant pellets in our Buick as recommended by the manual at every coolant change. The car has 222,000 miles on it and no problems other than a small oil pan leak and a bit of a grumble from the supercharger.
That said, I do not believe Corvette's recommend these pellets. Edit: I stand corrected on this part, someone posted their FSM recommendation.
If you have a leak, it's true this may not be the way to fix it. But the pellets themselves when used in a proper amount, pose little risk to anything. They are mostly walnut shell. They will not corrode anything, they don't sludge, and supposedly they can help keep the water pump cleaner by "scrubbing" it.
I've put coolant pellets in our Buick as recommended by the manual at every coolant change. The car has 222,000 miles on it and no problems other than a small oil pan leak and a bit of a grumble from the supercharger.
That said, I do not believe Corvette's recommend these pellets. Edit: I stand corrected on this part, someone posted their FSM recommendation.
Last edited by Aurora40; Jul 14, 2010 at 08:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
They dissolve pretty readily. The main thing is not to put them in a surge tank. There isn't much flow out of there and will probably just crap it up (as the ratio of pellet to liquid is so high).
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,870
Likes: 961
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Some guys are getting all high and mighty without having all the facts.
