Radiator Stop Leak
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 621
Likes: 2
From: Stillwater Minnesota
Radiator Stop Leak
I've got an issue with a leaky radiator. No it's not on my Corvette... thank god... but I cannot seem to get any responses in the general car / truck forum.
It's a 95 Chevy pickup truck w/ 350 motor. I've added two containers of stop leak. It seems to work temporairly. But now I'm worried the thermostat may have gotten gunked up from the stop leak. What experiences have you guys had with stop leak?
Also, I have a suspension issue in my chrysler. I posted in the gernal forum but it didn't get much visibility. Does anybody around here have experience troublshooting suspension issues? It clunks when I have a load on the front driver side tire. Ball joints and tie rods are all rock solid though (or so they seem w/ a crow bar and the tire off).
THanks
It's a 95 Chevy pickup truck w/ 350 motor. I've added two containers of stop leak. It seems to work temporairly. But now I'm worried the thermostat may have gotten gunked up from the stop leak. What experiences have you guys had with stop leak?
Also, I have a suspension issue in my chrysler. I posted in the gernal forum but it didn't get much visibility. Does anybody around here have experience troublshooting suspension issues? It clunks when I have a load on the front driver side tire. Ball joints and tie rods are all rock solid though (or so they seem w/ a crow bar and the tire off).
THanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
Stop leak is temp fix. You can keep adding it, but the problem will come back. With winter upon us, the temperature extremes will magnify this problem. Sooner or later, it's going to expand enough where it won't work anymore. I guess it just comes down to how dependable you want your truck to be. I've used stop leak for a temp fix, but never for a repair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Best stop leak is that small tube of "aluminum powder". It has fixed some of my other cars, only flushing seems to remove it for me, then more stop leak fixes it.
The LS1 has some small cooling passages, stop leak is NOT recommended for it, get the radiator fixed or replace it.
The LS1 has some small cooling passages, stop leak is NOT recommended for it, get the radiator fixed or replace it.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 631
Likes: 3
From: Joppa AL
Stop leak is temp fix. You can keep adding it, but the problem will come back. With winter upon us, the temperature extremes will magnify this problem. Sooner or later, it's going to expand enough where it won't work anymore. I guess it just comes down to how dependable you want your truck to be. I've used stop leak for a temp fix, but never for a repair.
Rads for that truck are not super expensive. I bought one years ago. It's probably the only real fix. Oh, and be sure to flush it good if you replace the rad.Concerning the front end noise, I always checked ball joints with a bar on the bottom of the tire. Also, look at the upper and lower inner shaft bushings opposite the ball joint end of the control arm. If it looks like the bolt or shaft is off center you need new bushings. HTH
