Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2000 00:32:03 -0700
Reply-To: Wolfgang Carolsfeld <wolfgang@ISLAND.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Wolfgang Carolsfeld <wolfgang@ISLAND.NET>
Subject: Re: Bar's leak versus other fixes
In-Reply-To: <Pine.SOL.4.05.10008281259140.8849-100000@margay.noc.ucla.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
In my experience Barr's Stop Leak is very effective at stopping leaks.
However I will _never_ use it again, ever ! I used Barr's Stop Leak to buy
about 8 months of no leaks from my 2.1 Waterleaker, while I procrastinated
about replacing the leaking heads in a 250,000 km motor, or putting in a
conversion motor, or a factory WB 2.1.
The negative things that I experienced :
1) noticeable loss of cooling ability - radiator fan came on more often,
and less heat from the heatercore, probably due to the tarry coating that
this product seems to be, interfering with heat transfer.
2) Softening and swelling of rubber components - particularly the gasket on
the water-refill container lid, which experienced the greatest
concentration of the additive, swelled about 20 % in diameter. I replaced
it with a new one, and within a day that one had swelled 20 % and was
useless. An indication of the potential stress to expensive rubber hoses.
Non popped then or since, but if they blow I will blame it in part on the
residual rubber expanding effects of the Stop Leak.
3) Flushing is very difficult and the product is probably impossible to get
rid of completely. Once its in your system, the residuals will be hanging
in there for a long time. Whe I finally did replace my motor I wanted to
get rid of the Barr's Stop Leak . I actually ran hot tap water through the
cooling system for 30 minutes of flushing, to get rid of most of it. I
tried to remove the remainder with an industrial strength hydrochloric acid
radiator flushing /cleaner product. I think that got rid of most of the
Barr's. Funny thing is, it also opened all the leaks and created some new
ones in weak areas. I ended up replacing my radiator three days later, and
now 6 months later my rear heater core is leaking.
4) Stopping the leak in leaking cylinder heads doesn't do anything about
the fact that there's an indication of a mechanical problem that needs to
be solved. I had no confidence that I could travel into remote places, once
the leaks initially started, although the van actually ran fine for another
8 months. Next time, I'll just fix the heads right away.
Tackle the leaks directly by replaceing the gaskets / the heads / or the
motor, depending on the mileage and perceived value remaining in the
vehicle. Or just keep adding water :-(
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
On 8/28/00 at 1:02 PM MOST,DAVID wrote:
>I will double check the the heater hose, but I have a feeling that's not
>the source.
>
>Meanwhile, I remember Ken talking about something called Morosco or Moroso
>as an alternative to Bar's stop leak. What's the current list sentiment
>on Bar's stop leak? And, does anyone remember the name of the product
>recommended by Ken? Any opinions about this product?
>
>Thanks,
>David
>
>
>On Mon, 28 Aug 2000, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>
>> Don't bother removing the shields for this, they are a PITA. The only
>> other places a leak could come from is the heater hose connection (a
>> possibility, it is on the front of the head and would drip in that
>> location, you should be able to see this, remove the dust shield that is
>> attached to the body for a good view. Replace the hose or try a good
>> screw type clamp if it is leaking) or the connections on the metal
>> crossover pipe on top of the engine. If it is not these it is the head
>> gasket.
>>
>> Try a bottle of Bar's Stop Leak. I've used it for 30 years with good
>> results. It bought me a year on my 1.9 leaker, and I even put it in my
>> new engines, including the 2.1 I just installed and my new MGB engine
>> (notorious for weeping head gaskets). It won't hurt anything and might
>> help your small leak for awhile, despite the opinions of others on the
>> list!
>>
>> http://www.barsleaks.com/Cooling_System/cooling_system.html
>>
>> Start that savings account!
>>
>> "MOST,DAVID" wrote:
>> >
>> > I've noticed what appears to be a slight coolant drip coming from
forward
>> > corner of the passenger side head gasket in an '85. In order to have
a
>> > better look at the bottom of the head gasket, it appears that one must
>> > remove the pushrod tube shield. However, upon inspection, it appears
that
>> > two of the four bolts involved in removing this shield also serve as
bolts
>> > that connect the exahust to the head. I'd rather not play around with
>> > these bolts (look pretty rusty) just to have a better look at the head
>> > gasket.
>> >
>> > So, is there any other way to do this that I'm missing? I imagine
that
>> > the source of the leak is not something easier to fix, but it would be
>> > nice to make sure before I start investigating head gasket repair.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > David
>>
>> --
>> Stuart MacMillan
>> Seattle
>>
>> '84 Vanagon Westfalia
>> '65 MGB (Driven since 1969)
>> '74 MGB GT (Restoring)
>>
>> Assisting on Restoration:
>> '72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
>> '64 MGB (Son's)
>>
>> Parts cars:
>> '68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
>>
*********** END REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
=================
Wolfgang Carolsfeld
wolfgang@island.net
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