68 350 H.O. With a non-original radiator (I think) replaced by the previous owner in 2015. Has never leaked a drop, until about a month ago when I drove 1 mile to a local gathering and about an hour after parking, it started to drip from the drivers side bottom. At first I thought it was the drain [censored] as I was able to tighten it a half turn-ish But , the leak did not stop. It was a very slow drip. I went in the restaurant and ate and when I came out 90 min later it had stopped leaking and the bottom of the radiator was actually dry. It lost maybe a total of 1/4 cup of coolant at the most.
Since then, it has been leaking off and on in my garage. Sometimes it will go days without a drop and other times it may lose a teaspoon over several days. I’ve driven it several times since then as well as that doesn’t seem to affect it one way or the other.
So... my question to the group is how everyone feels about quality stop leak products such as Bar’s? Or, any other suggested solutions for the issue?
68 350 H.O. With a non-original radiator (I think) replaced by the previous owner in 2015. Has never leaked a drop, until about a month ago when I drove 1 mile to a local gathering and about an hour after parking, it started to drip from the drivers side bottom. At first I thought it was the drain [censored] as I was able to tighten it a half turn-ish But , the leak did not stop. It was a very slow drip. I went in the restaurant and ate and when I came out 90 min later it had stopped leaking and the bottom of the radiator was actually dry. It lost maybe a total of 1/4 cup of coolant at the most.
Since then, it has been leaking off and on in my garage. Sometimes it will go days without a drop and other times it may lose a teaspoon over several days. I’ve driven it several times since then as well as that doesn’t seem to affect it one way or the other.
So... my question to the group is how everyone feels about quality stop leak products such as Bar’s? Or, any other suggested solutions for the issue?
Thanks!
You need to verify location of the leak. Do you get a lot of pressure in your system? Do you have a overflow hose or tank? You can get after market rad cap with lever to vacate pressure so you do not get hurt.
I have the better rad cap and overflow tank. Nothing leaks out.
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Don't band aid it. How is your temperature? Radiators are easy to remove/install. If it leaks it needs to be repaired. This is a good time to decide if the replacement radiator is correct for your application (3/4 row). It may still be under warranty? If you end up replacing and your car is close to stock and you want to keep it that way, get an aftermarket copper OEM style radiator, it will look stock and keep your temp at bay. http://www.usradiator.com/pontiac-firebird-1967-69-l6-v8-sb-with-air-radiator.html
Thanks for the input. It is an original style radiator and temp is perfect... never any problems there. I do not have an overflow hose attached, nor an overflow container, but I actually bought one a little while ago that I have not yet installed. It has never overflowed through the open “nozzle†either. The leak is on the other side and drips off the bottom right by the drain plug. I’ll look closer to find the exact spot. Over last winter I had the engine pulled to fix an oil pan and rear main leak, plus replace the motor mounts (and repaint it while it was out). I suspect those guys damaged the radiator during the process. The leak is so minor that I was looking for the least work possible to fix it! :-)
Could it be a simple as the upper hose leaking where it enters the tank and running down the side? I mashed in the lower outlet a bit with a tower clamp once and it leaked.