Alexandra Ramirez
That was our top criteria for selecting the best radiator stop leak.
If you are ready to get to it immediately and need a fix quick, K-Seal Coolant Leak Repair scored high above the others we tested in all categories and is our top pick.
1. K-Seal
Best Overall Radiator Stop Leak
5/5 Product Rating
That may show up in the heater core, cylinder heads, head gasket, freeze plugs and more.
It is super easy to use; just shake the bottle and pour it into the coolant system.
It requires no flushing or draining and works great for emergency leaks.
One 8 ounce bottle has up to 20 quarts of cooling capacity.
Sometimes it’s not possible to fix leaks right away.
Stop leak can get you back on the road again and not leaking important fluids from your vehicle in no time.
– Jonathan Maxwell
2. Bar’s Leaks
Best Budget Radiator Stop Leak
4.8/5 Product Rating
Bar’s Leaks Liquid Copper Radiator Stop Leak will take care of these leaks and more.
It is designed to take care of larger leaks so you can get back on the road without costly repairs.
Whether it’s repairing a blown head gasket or a heater core leak, Bar’s Leaks will take care of it quickly and easily.
It is fully compatible with all antifreeze and is easy to use too.
Just pour into the radiator and you’re all set and you won’t need to worry about any draining of the radiator first.
– Jonathan Maxwell
3. Bar’s Leaks G12BP7PK
Best Radiator Stop Leak Powder
4.7/5 Product Rating
Not only does it seal leaks, it conditions the cooling system, lubricates the seals in the water pump, assists in controlling electrolysis, and reduces corrosion and rust too.
It works well with any type and color of antifreeze and one bottle will treat up to 3 gallons.
It is super simple to use. Just add it to the radiator and that’s it.
Use this product to seal leaks in radiators, gaskets, heater cores and freeze plugs as well as other leaks that arise in the coolant system.
Taking care of small leaks before they become big leaks is very important. This great product from Bar’s Leaks will help you take care of these leaks in a simple way.
– Jonathan Maxwell
Radiator Stop Leak Buying Guide
Things to Consider
There is a little bit of controversy surrounding the use of radiator stop leak to take care of small cracks and leaks in your coolant system. Depending on who you ask, the opinions are divided; some will be all for it and some won’t be. The general consensus is that it is a great product to use when you have small leaks in the radiator or other parts of the coolant system.
It is very easy to use and only involves choosing the right one and pouring it into the radiator. Many people don’t understand that radiator stop leak is not a replacement for getting the problems repaired. It is only a temporary fix for these leaks and should not replace getting the vehicle checked out and repaired.
One thing to keep in mind before you use stop leak is if your vehicle is warranty, using stop leak of any kind can void the warranty. If your vehicle is under warranty, check thoroughly to make sure that using a product of this nature will not ruin you having this warranty intact. If it does, you are better off not using it and calling for a tow truck.
Leak Concerns to Keep in Mind
One drawback to using radiator stop leak is that it can cause the coolant system to become clogged. This can happen to the radiator, heater and/or engine. One way that you can minimize, if not entirely prevent this clogging of the systems is by flushing the cooling system and changing the antifreeze.
It is recommended that you get your cooling system power flushed if you have to use stop leak and then take it to get the leaks officially fixed. Draining the fluid is good, but power flushing is much better for keeping the system running correctly. It also helps to remove any extra stop leak from your system.
Effectiveness of Radiator Stop Leak
If you have never used a stop leak product you may be worried that it won’t work. The good news is that radiator stop leak does work when it is used correctly and for the right type of leaks. It’s been used to fix small leaks and cracks for years and is still used often today to get rid of these small leaks.
There are stop leak products for all kinds of leaks including:
- Head gasket leaks
- Oil leaks
- Transmission leaks
- Tire leaks
- Engine leaks
- Radiator leaks
Radiator stop leak is not designed to replace getting your vehicle repaired but it is an excellent product for taking care of small leaks that may not need to be formally repaired by a repair shop. It is not for leaks that are too large and that require you to keep adding the product to your coolant system but many use it as a way to prevent nuisance leaks as well.
The way radiator stop leak works is by sealing and preventing the leaks in your coolant system from becoming worse and causing your vehicle to break down. It is a much better option than constantly having to add water or coolant to your radiator. It is a great emergency fixer to have in your vehicle in case of a breakdown that causes a leak in your cooling system. The material in the bottle heats up and liquefies, spreading out and forming a seal that plugs the holes and cracks.
If you use radiator stop leak and find that it doesn’t work, this just means that the leak is too large for the pellets in the stop leak product to plug and seal the holes. This can happen but if the leaks are just starting or are small, you will find that the product works great to get you running correctly again.
Types
Radiator stop leak comes in many different forms. All of them, regardless of the type, all do the same thing which is to form a sealant over the small holes and cracks in the radiator and prevent the coolant/water from leaking out. The different types of radiator stop leak are:
- Tablets
- Powder
- Liquid
All three types are used the same way, which is to add them to the coolant in your vehicle. It is important to follow the directions on the bottle since many of them advise to add the product and then drive for a short time to allow it to work.
With all of the choices available for radiator stop leak on the market, it is important to purchase the best quality product you can. Don’t look for budget radiator stop leaks, although they are available. Use the best quality, brand name stop leak that you can find and then make arrangements to get your vehicle looked at as soon as possible so the leaks can be assessed.
If you find that adding radiator stop leak seems to have fixed the problem and you don’t have to add anymore, you may be able to wait awhile before having the leaks repaired.
Another important point to remember is to use the recommended amount ONLY. Adding a lot doesn’t mean it will fix the leaks better, it will only cause potential clogging and problems down the road. The way the product is designed, the recommended amount will fix the small cracks and leaks so no more coolant leaks out.
Conclusion
Vehicles can get all kinds of small leaks and cracks in the various systems. Cooling system leaks are very common and in many cases can be fixed with the addition of radiator stop leak.
It is not guaranteed to work for all leaks, but if the leaks are small or seeping leaks and the product is used correctly in the right amount, it will almost always fix the problem and stop you from having overheating problems and the hassle of having to carry around water/coolant to add to your radiator all the time.
With all the radiator stop leak products on the market, you may feel like it doesn’t matter what you choose to add to your radiator but that isn’t true. The better quality the radiator stop leak is, the better it will do the job of fixing these small leaks and cracks.
The purpose of this buyer’s guide is to provide you with the information you need to understand how radiator stop leak works and when to use it. It also helps you understand the importance of choosing a product from a company that is reputable and has a good history of quality products.
The three top rated radiator stop leak products we have reviewed above are all great examples of the type of high quality, reputable products you should use in your own vehicle.
They are designed to handle the small leaks, cracks and even some larger leaks that your cooling system can incur. It is much less expensive to add a bottle of radiator stop leak to your vehicle and give yourself some time get together the funds for the more expensive repairs it may need.
Resources
- K- Seal – http://www.kseal.com/
- Bar’s Leaks – http://barsleaks.com/
