Solved Coolant Leak - Bar's Leak

For context, approximately two months back, I solved a 'slight'
coolant leak using Bar's Leak. As a result, I decided to post and log
my solution (based on research) so that others could rely on my
experience(s). For post see
http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.au...e950fd8e?hl=en

At this time, and after much hog wash and ridicule from Jim Warmen,
the fix is still holding (as it should). Remember, it is fact that the
US Navy relied on Bar's Leak to correct a problem with their
condensors in the nuclear submarines.

Bar's Leak has not messed up my heater core, as Jim Warmen proposed.
For those who use Bar's Leak, I would recommend a flush (no chemical
flush required), with water and coolant after a few days of placing
the product in the coolant system. Although the product states that it
can be left in the system, as many car manufacturers do when placing
Bar's Leak in their production cars, Id flush after correcting the
leak.

So again. For SMALL (less than 1/3 cup a day) leaks, attributed to a
failing lower intake manifold gasket (freaking thing is made of
paper), Id do a full flush once the leak has been corrected.

So the question is, keep replacing the gasket and wasting time,
effort, and money. Or take some preventative measures, and introduce
Bar's Leak into the coolant system and allow for a complete seal.

I chose Bar's Leak, since Ford's have a reputation for having a
problem with the lower intake manifold gasket. They should Bar's Leak
every Ford that comes off their production lines.

Cheers- and I hope it helps those who are seeking other viable
solutions than the one that your mechanic or dealer proposes.

Explorer1994 4.0L wrote:
> For context, approximately two months back, I solved a 'slight'
> coolant leak using Bar's Leak.
...
> Cheers- and I hope it helps those who are seeking other viable
> solutions than the one that your mechanic or dealer proposes.

OMG! Why don't you just wail on it now with a hammer?

__,='`````'=/__
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,-~~~\ `'===' /-, \==```` \__
/ `----' `\ \ \/
,-` , \ ,.-\ \
/ , \,-`\`_,-`\_,..--'\
,` ,/, ,>, ) \--`````\
( `\`---'` `-,-'`_,< \ \_,.--'`
`. `--. _,-'`_,-` | \
[`-.___ <`_,-'`------( /
(`` _,-\ \ --`````````|--`
>-`_,-`\,-` , |
<`_,' , /\ /
` \/\,-/ `/ \/`\_/V\_/
( ._. ) ( .__. )
| | | |
\,---_| |_---./
ooOO(_) (_)OOoo

"Explorer1994 4.0L" > wrote in message
ps.com...
> For context, approximately two months back, I solved a 'slight'
> coolant leak using Bar's Leak. As a result, I decided to post and log
> my solution (based on research) so that others could rely on my
> experience(s). For post see
>
http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.au...e950fd8e?hl=en
>
> At this time, and after much hog wash and ridicule from Jim Warmen,
> the fix is still holding (as it should). Remember, it is fact that the
> US Navy relied on Bar's Leak to correct a problem with their
> condensors in the nuclear submarines.
>
> Bar's Leak has not messed up my heater core, as Jim Warmen proposed.
> For those who use Bar's Leak, I would recommend a flush (no chemical
> flush required), with water and coolant after a few days of placing
> the product in the coolant system. Although the product states that it
> can be left in the system, as many car manufacturers do when placing
> Bar's Leak in their production cars, Id flush after correcting the
> leak.
>
> So again. For SMALL (less than 1/3 cup a day) leaks, attributed to a
> failing lower intake manifold gasket (freaking thing is made of
> paper), Id do a full flush once the leak has been corrected.
>
> So the question is, keep replacing the gasket and wasting time,
> effort, and money. Or take some preventative measures, and introduce
> Bar's Leak into the coolant system and allow for a complete seal.

From my point of view replacing the intake manifold gasket IS a preventative
measure. But then you have not (yet) tried to make it home with coolant
gushing out of your manifold. Hopefully you have an extra can with and
hopefully it will work if it does start leaking badly but IMHO properly
repairing an engine is NOT a was of time, effort, or money. The parts cost
less than $100--cheaper than a tow truck.


>
> I chose Bar's Leak, since Ford's have a reputation for having a
> problem with the lower intake manifold gasket. They should Bar's Leak
> every Ford that comes off their production lines.
>
> Cheers- and I hope it helps those who are seeking other viable
> solutions than the one that your mechanic or dealer proposes.
>

What Ulysses said....

In nearly 40 years, I have never seen these kinds of products become a
"solution".... At times, they can work for an indeterminate amount of time -
often, the secondary failure is more spectacular than the first failure...

These products are a stop gap measure.... hopefully they will allow the user
to get the car to a more convenient place and/or time to affect a proper
repair.... hopefully, they will not come with "baggage"....

But, in that 40 years, I must have lived a pretty sheltered life since I
have little faith in miracles in a can.... This lack of faith comes from
experience with these products. A lot of experience with these products.
Getting called a lot of names because it costs money to get rid of some of
the baggage that these products can bring...

But, what the **** does an old guy know? Old bugger is so stupid he refuses
to use this stuff in his own cars....