BAR's ... stop leak
 

I just had a situation where I was 2 hours from the house and my new build sprung a leak! Very slow coolant leak but for sure a leak and very repeatable, get it hot and she pissed out fluid. Nothing in the overflow so not coming from there. Pretty sure it is the radiator (no tools but hoses dry) so I stopped and got 2 gallons of water and some BAR's radiator stop leak.

Threw the BAR's in and checked in after 20 minutes of HW driving... no leak.
Drove the rest of the way home, 1 hour plus HW driving... no leak
Checked the raditator after she colled... yep no leak.

If I sound suprized that a product did what it said, well I am, pretty much because I'm never this lucky.

MY QUESTION,

This is a new build. The Radiator is a Cold Case and new with the build.

Will this BAR's stuff hold up over time?
Also should I be replacing the coolant now, not sure if this stuff is cool to have running thru the system for extended periods.

Do you use your HEATER ?
Depending on Latitude, and Climate- I'd drain the diluted coolant+water+BARS StopLeak out, flush well, and replace with 50/50 mix.
That advice comes from Latitude 59 degrees North.

I get where you're going and yes I do use the heat, Vintage Air, so it might make this more important.

I ordered a new RAD so a flush is no problem and the block plugs are new... that always helps.

I have a K10 that is gonna go thru the shop in a few so maybe I'll use this one in that build if it turns up okay.

I know people that have gone years after using the Bar's stuff or the functionally equivalent Blue Devil fluid with no additional leaks. GM / AC Delco also sells a small packet of five pellet pills that where two of these pellets get dropped into the radiator and dissolve - part number 10-108 or 12378255.

I don't like to recommend the use of these types of stop leak products and the Mom & Pop auto repair places really don't like them - lost work for these shops. The fluids and pellets do work in situations like these and are especially suited to solving a problem in vehicles that are not worth spending a lot of money on for a new radiator or a head gasket replacement.

But the bottom line is that they do work as long as the leaks are not too big. They won't plug up a Niagara Falls type of leak and I suppose they could eventually plug up a heater core if abused.

Rick

There's a reason GM puts their stop leak biscuits in every new car and everytime the coolant is changed at the dealership. They should always go in when the coolant is changed.

The reason I considered BAR’s is because I knew GM used those seal tabs.

Figured it couldn’t be that bad plus I knew where I was possibly heading with a new RAD and flush so I tried it.

thanks for the replies always helps to have a few opinions

I've heard about GM using the tablets on the assembly line, but I wasn't aware of them being used with dealer coolant flushes. I thought this was just for freshly assembled engines. I don't think every dealer does this with a coolant change though, as I've had the coolant flushed in my daily drivers several times by a local dealer and the invoice never includes a part number for these tabs (only the flush product and replacement Dexcool).

Further, I've done all the coolant changes for my '98 Z28 every couple years for the last ~22 years myself, and I've never used these tabs. No leaks either. I don't think it's something that needs to be repeated with every flush unless there's an actual problem with the system.

yup the shit is great. used many times. saved my ass from buying new radiators. twice it saved me. my rav4 12yrs and still no leak.and on my vet. 15yrs