cooling system stop leak recommendation, pls?
#1434574
05/11/13 02:08 PM
05/11/13 02:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
Louisiana
rnch
OP
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
Louisiana
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My '85 Ram (318, 120K) must be "burning" a small amount of anti-freeze, about 12 ounces every 300 miles.
I say this because: All new heater & radiator hoses, new pressure cap, no obvious leaks in around the engine/hoses/radiator. The exhaust pipe is often "wet" inside and the ground under the tail pipe tip shows fluid build up when idled in one place for an extended period of time. The overflow tank goes down about 2 inches every 300 miles.
No evidence of antifreeze on the oil dipstick, never overheats, even with the A/C on and in stop & go traffic.
Can someone here please recommend a stop leak that will slow/fix this slow leak...but NOT stop up the radiator/colling system and make it overheat?
Or should I just continue to keep an eye on the overflow tank level and keep adding antifreeze/water? Perhaps this is not worth doing anything about??
Thanks!
Last edited by rnch; 05/11/13 02:18 PM.
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Re: cooling system stop leak recommendation, pls?
[Re: bboogieart]
#1434578
05/11/13 05:50 PM
05/11/13 05:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
340SHORTY
Truck Nut
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Truck Nut
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
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Find the problem and fix it !! Dont try to cover it up with somekind of a band aid.  Sounds like a head gasket is going bad ..
I am truckless..
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Re: cooling system stop leak recommendation, pls?
[Re: 340SHORTY]
#1434580
05/12/13 06:01 PM
05/12/13 06:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
Louisiana
rnch
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
Louisiana
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Quote:
Find the problem and fix it !! Dont try to cover it up with somekind of a band aid. Sounds like a head gasket is going bad ..
In a Perfect World, perhaps. But for a "back up vehicle" that I won't even put 3K a year on.......
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Re: cooling system stop leak recommendation, pls?
[Re: 76dodgeboy]
#1434582
05/12/13 06:36 PM
05/12/13 06:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
Louisiana
rnch
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OP
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Louisiana
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Quote:
There should be some water at your tailpipe. Most all vehicles spit moisture at the tailpipe. Hence the exhaust Rusting at all the low spots.
As for it being a backup vehicle I second fixing it right. You'll kick yourself in the Azz when you have to price it do to other vehicle needing repairs and it blows a head gasket or something else
I'm still not totally convinced it has a blown head gasket. It NEVER overheats, even when stuck in stop-n-go traffic with the A/C on full blast, idles so smooth I can count each cylinder firing, a recent spark plug change showed NO variance from plug to plug on color or deposits build ups.
Still, the anti-freeze is going somewhere......
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Re: cooling system stop leak recommendation, pls?
[Re: rnch]
#1434583
05/12/13 07:45 PM
05/12/13 07:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,570
Sunny South Florida
Golden-Arm
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,570
Sunny South Florida
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go to the parts store, and get a uv dye kit, with a blacklight pen. add the dye, run the car, then get out and find the leak. if it is leaking into the combustion chambers, it will still fluoresce at the tailpipe, and be visible with the light. the kit costs like 15-50 bucks, depending on how fancy you go. can be used in oil, a/c and water stuff, to find almost any leaks.  FIND YOUR LEAK 
"When Tyranny Becomes Law, Rebellion Becomes Duty"
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Re: cooling system stop leak recommendation, pls?
[Re: Golden-Arm]
#1434584
05/12/13 08:08 PM
05/12/13 08:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
Louisiana
rnch
OP
member
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
Louisiana
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Quote:
go to the parts store, and get a uv dye kit, with a blacklight pen. add the dye, run the car, then get out and find the leak. if it is leaking into the combustion chambers, it will still fluoresce at the tailpipe, and be visible with the light. the kit costs like 15-50 bucks, depending on how fancy you go. can be used in oil, a/c and water stuff, to find almost any leaks.
FIND YOUR LEAK
Excellent idea and product! Gotta settle this in my own mind before any repairs (stop gap or pernament) are done; I can use this tool on multiple cars of mine.
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Re: cooling system stop leak recommendation, pls?
[Re: rnch]
#1434588
05/13/13 07:05 PM
05/13/13 07:05 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 370
beedees
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 370
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