Bars stop leak for radiator? Does it work?

Just get it fixed the right way. Depends on the leak if it will even work at all.

 

I would go with Aluma-Seal to get you home and fixed proper.
Bars will work also but a lot harder to get it out of the system turns to mud.

 

I'd be lying if I told you I had never used Bars before to get me out of a jam, but it really isn't good on the cooling system.

I had a guy give me a 10kw diesel generator on time. He said it would overheat constantly and he was tired of fooling with it. I got it home, did a little investigating, and found out the complete cooling system was completely plugged up. Granted, I have no idea how much stop leak they used, put it plugged up everything. Ended up having to run the engine to get it hot, flush the system, and repeat. A mechanic friend of mine suggested using dish soap mixed with water and it did help. I probably did this 20 or more times before I got it all out. Just a straight flush wouldn't do much, but if you ran the engine until it got hot, it seemed to break it loose. Thought I was going to have to tear the engine down to get it all out, but I finally got at least most of it all out. I ended up having to just replace the radiator, because without complete disassembly and rodding out it wasn't coming clean, and it was in pretty bad shape anyway (apparently the reason for all the stop leak added). After that, and seeing the problems it caused, I've been very reluctant to use Bars in anything since then.

 

Have used aluma seal with decent results.
Temp fix only.

 

You could try the JB. Probably need a big chunk of it, mashed into a large area surrounding the leak, to help keep it in place. The Bars Leak can clog heater cores, heater valves, and who knows what other cooling jackets. It’s just large chunks of lead, with a seal conditioner. A little bit won’t hurt anything. I’ve used it. Best to have the cap already off, run the Truck, get it good and hot before using it, so the pellets will melt. Put it in and hope some of it stops the leak as it’s flowing from the hole. I prefer using the alums seal also. Small pieces can’t plug up anything. Hopefully you can slow the leak. Leave the cap loose, to keep pressure down. Above all, keep it topped off, even if it’s still running cool. Low coolant will cause hot spots in the engine and blow the head gasket, even with the temp gauge showing safe, and heater still working. Keep it topped off. Doesn’t take much to ruin the engine, without realizing it. Can’t trust the temp gauge. Especially in cold weather. Keep it full, cap loose, don’t neglect checking it often, topping it off.

 

Leak is on top of the radiator or overflow tank?

 

I used it on an older F150 I had when I was a kid, it sealed the leak in my radiator but the copper flakes actually destroyed all the fins on my water pump. Ever since then I've stayed away from it. The stuff will work but the risk of ruining other components isn't worth it

 

Don't use it. It could fix leak but will plug heater core and many other small engine coolant passages what will cause many bad things. Rear cylinder overheating, EGR overheating just to name few.