Coolant is leaking. Is a radiator stopleak good for it?

Hello everybody,

I've found a leak of coolant in my Odyssey 97. It's not very much,
actually, but the radiator is wet and bears traces of green. I'm going
to try some stopleak.

What could you suggest to me?
Is it good enough and harmless for cooling system and engine?

Thanks for any advice.
Michael.

 

I'd skip the stopleak and take it to a radiator shop and have it brazed.

G-Man

 

Don't use the stop leak unless you plan on getting rid of the van. bob

 

Where is it leaking from?

 

the stop leak stuff will eventually block up your leak ,, but the also
will block up your heater core and you will be needing another heater
core in time if you want some heat... why not find where the leak is and
fix the leak... but either replacing the hoses, clamps, or radiator or
whatever is leaking....

 

I agree with the person that told you to take it to a radiator shop in
your town. If its not rusted badly, they can easiliy remove the radiator,
clean it and braze (spelling??) the seams which is probably where it is
leaking from.
After market radiators can be purchased at the radiator shop if your
radiator is rusted so badly that it can't be repaired. Don't use stopleak.

 

Ok.
Thank everybody for talking me out of stopleak.
I took a closer look this afternoon and found that the plastic top of
the radiator has tiny cracks in the middle of its face (front side).
They are sweating, as I have cleared up. It looks like the problem can
be resolved with a hot soldering iron. Because that's just plastic. Am I
right? Or is there any pitfalls?
Thanks.
Michael.

 

Replacement is a much better avenue. Radiator is under pressure. Depending
on the type of polymer, it may not take to having a strong bond.

 

http://www.radiator.com

 

I still advise you to take it to a local radiator shop. Several years ago,
I had a radiator repaired at a radiator shop. I watched them do the work.
They placed it in huge tank of water and boiled it to remove dirt, rust,
etc. The man explained that solder could not be used on any metal that had
dirt, rust or anything elese on it. If there is plastic near the place you
have to solder, it will probably melt. You may have to buy a rebuilt or
new radiator. The radiator shop owner should be able sell you one for much
less than you would pay a Honda dealership.

 

Update:

Have bought Bondo Marine Epoxy Stick ($2.95).
(http://www.bondo-online.com/catalog_item.asp?itemNbr=265)
Just have sealed with it my radiator plastic top.
Looks like it adhered firmly.
We shall see when the time comes.

 

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Michael,

The secret for success with most adhesives, but especially epoxy, is to
prepare the surface with fairly coarse sandpaper. The scratches give the
glue something to hold on to when the tank starts getting very hot and
starts expanding.


The other secret: If it's 'ten minute' epoxy, take the first five
minutes to mix it, transfering it to a second mixing surface part-way
thru.

'Curly'

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