Radiator cap on an astro

[twokniveskatie]

I am trying to add Bar's Leaks to my radiator for what appears to be a minor leak somewhere. What I have seen on-line ( besides how horrible bars leaks can be) is to NOT add it to the coolant reservoir. But I am unable to get the radiator cap off. Loosened, yes, and broke the pressure seal, but can't actually remove it. Are you supposed to have to pry it???

 

[sidat202]

You shouldn't have to pry on it.&nbsp;Make sure you twist the cap all the way so the tabs line up and it should just lift off.<br />When you turn the cap it should turn part way, then you have to push down and it should turn more. then lift off.<br />The best thing I have found for coolant leaks is a product called block sealer.<br />If you look at the ingredients make sure it has sodium silicate.<br />The only problem with that product is you have to flush the antifreeze and use just water while its in there then drain the system and leave it open so air can get in for 24 hours.<br />I don't know how bad your leak is, and if you want to go thru all that, but it works. I have sealed cracks in the block and headgaskets with it.

 

[twokniveskatie]

Bingo! Thank-you Sid! Came right off. I'll tell you, this forum + having a smartphone is like having a mechanic in your pocket

 

[Cubey]

Plan on replacing your water pump in the next year or two. That stop leak stuff does work for the radiator but within a year or a few, the water pump will be junk from it. My mom's corolla had a radiator leak some years back. <br /><br />She used that stuff and within a few years she had to get a new water pump and a ton of other work done. Was expensive too.. but then again, she went to a dealer.... and had her foster mother pay for it (like she did buying the car). <br /><br />But then again the car was fairly old by that point. But still... I'd budget for a new water pump and a good flushing of the cooling system in the next year or so, before the water pump quits and risks blowing your engine from over heating.<br /><br />IMO, if it's not getting down to freezing at night, you are better off using water to keep your radiator filled than using stop-leak stuff if at all possible. Go buy a new (or used) radiator and have it put on. You'll save yourself a lot of hassle later.

 

[sidat202]

I have used sealers for many years on many different vehicles and had no problems.<br />Its best to use antifreeze all the time because it has a lubricating affect to help the moving parts of the cooling system. Also it can take a higher temperature before boiling over.

 

[Cubey]

Well... if you're about to get your leak fixed properly... and depending how bad it is... water is more economical (and better for the environment) to leak out onto the ground for a few days until you get the radiator replaced anyway. They will have to drain the coolant/water anyway and replace it.

 

[sidat202]

And the price is right to.

Bingo! Thank-you Sid! Came right off. I'll tell you, this forum + having a smartphone is like having a mechanic in your pocket

 

[Les H]

Kate, i too, have had to replace the waterpump shortly after using bars-leak. A few years later would /could be normal wear, but mine wennt about a week later. A natural alternative is ground black pepper ( works, have tried) and raw eggs ( havnt tried, cant say if it works or not).

 

[Kisatchieman]

It would be better to go to a radiator shop and have them fix the leak, if that's all that's needed, and have them check out the water pump while they're at it. Nothing like the peace of mind of knowing something is fixed instead of wondering when you're snake oil fix will break you down 40 miles from nowhere.

 

[Ricekila]

Bar's leak - is a mechanic in a can -- very temporary -- you probably have plastic tanks --- I replaced&nbsp;the sieve in my Safari with a real radiator <img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Eventually it will clog up everything <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" />

 

[twokniveskatie]

Thanks for all the responses everyone I really love this place.

I did add the bars leaks. I used it on my F-150 (the truckhut) when I had it, and it worked fine with no apparent problems for several years. I guess it's a crap shoot. Getting the radiator checked wasn't an option right now. I hope this will ride me over for a few weeks, then I'll get it looked at, and flushed if necessary. Hopefully it will not have done any damage.

Ricekila- I will have to bang on mine to see if it is plastic. I am ashamed at how little I know about my van. I'm hoping Sid will straighten me out at the RTR.