Can I put stop leak into my radiator, or will it screw up my turbo? I'm really nervous about the idea, but I'm losing a fluid.

Thanks in advance

 

replace the radiator.

 

That stop leak crap is, well, crap. Depending on where the leak is at, and what size it is, a quick patch is to clean up the area as best you can with a degreaser, and use some epoxy putty to plug the leak. I've done it and it works. You can get epoxy putty at Lowes or Home Depot in the adhesives aisle.

This is just a temporary fix though. Best thing to go is to get a new radiator, or get yours repaired.

 

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Dude, get the Mishimoto radiator in the Group Buy section...

 

I'll have to disagree with my good buddy ZX-TEX. Quick outline of my most recent experience:
Goodwin Racing Koyo 55m radiator approx 6 to 8 months old.
I find coolant slowly dripping from the radiator the night before I'm to depart on a 3000 mile road trip with my son; ain't no way I'm gonna cancel this trip because we've been planning it for years but there is no way I can get a replacement radiator from Goodwin Racing by 7:00 AM the next morning.
Find local auto parts store, buy stop leak, add to radiator, leak stops, we have a great vacation together.
That was back in June of 2006. This is August of 2008. No leaks ever. 16 psi radiator cap. And I made another 5300 mile road trip in August 2007 with another 3000 mile road trip planned for next month.
I never even bothered to contact Brian Goodwin about it because the damn thing works.

I say: stop leak first. If that don't fix it, pull the radiator and repair or replace it. Your monetary situation and time available will determine your best course of action.

Now, however, if you're running the plastic stock radiator, pull it and replace it. I wouldn't waste the cost of stop leak on one of those....

 

Screw stop leak. Put a raw egg in the radiator. Works better.

 

Sorry Barryb...

It might have worked for him and all, but I DAMN sure wouldn't put that **** in my car. It will plug up way too much **** and cause a million times more trouble than it's worth. If a stock plastic tank cracks, scratch it up with sandpaper and use some type of 2 part plastic epoxy to repair it. That's a clean way to stop the leak and not fill your heater core, radiator, water pump, hoses, cylinder head, block and every other piece of the cooling system with a nasty, gunky, thick, water flow dampening, heat transfer limiting layer of **** that's impossible to remove. $0.02.

 

Hey Barry what's going on? Good to see you posting! How goes it in the land of sand? You need to get back here so we can go play in the Hill Country

 

We use the bars leak stuff here all the time. It will not hurt it.
Stephanie

 

I pmed the guy. Offered to send him my stock rad with 23k miles on it for cost of shipping.

 

Nice gesture!

 

i've used stop-leak in one car, and its my daily driver miata...lol.

 

Just keep ur oil cap on, mmmmmk