• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Autos Square

Auto Parts and Accessories Review

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Blog
    • Auto Parts and Accessories
    • Tools
    • Chemicals
    • Exterior and Interior
    • Motorcycles
  • Contact

Pros and Cons of Radiator Stop Leak: Everything You Should Know?

Auto Parts and Accessories · October 24, 2022

Frequent engine overheating, puddles underneath the engine, or a drastic drop in coolant level are signs that your car’s radiator has a leakage. Essential fluids leak through cracks and weak points on your radiator.

Depending on where and when this happens and your automotive skills, you might opt to quickly fix such a problem, especially when it’s a minor leak. There are two solutions to radiator leaks, i.e., a radiator replacement and using radiator stop leak products. Most people often turn to stop leak additives when it’s a minor issue.

What is a Radiator Stop Leak?

A radiator stop leak is an aftermarket additive used to seal minor, slow leaks in a car’s radiator systems and leaks in-between components. Among the common components found in most radiator stop leaks include:

  • Sodium silicate/ liquid glass  
  • Ceramic fibers and particles
  • Copper, aluminum, copper, and iron particles.

How do Stop Leak Products Works?

Radiator stop leak products are somewhat different. However, they all achieve a common end goal: to seal holes in your car’s cooling system to stop leaks. Usually, the product melts and solidifies where leaks are occurring.

For instance, once ceramic fibers are heated, they create a fibrous patch where there are leaks in your radiator. Similarly, when liquid glass is heated at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, it melts and circulates in the cooling system to form a hard seal where there are leaks. Lastly, fillers (organic, ceramic, or metallic) circulates through a radiator to create a temporary seal where there are small holes or gaps.

Overall, the goal is to fix minor leaks in your radiator temporarily. Nonetheless, using radiator-stop leak products in your car has advantages and disadvantages.

How do Stop Leak Products Works

Pros of Using Radiator Stop Leak

Easy to Find

Radiator stop leak products have been around for many years, and finding one in your nearest automotive store isn’t a hassle. It’s easily accessible when you need it to do a quick fix on a leaking radiator.

It’s an easy and quick solution

If your car’s radiator heats along the road, you can easily use a radiator stop leak product to fix the issue. You only need to pour it into the radiator and have a temporary solution before meeting your mechanic for a replacement. You can even do it in your home garage within minutes.

To some extent, it doesn’t require a car owner to have expensive tools or be an automotive professional.

It’s Cheap

Replacing a car radiator is not cheap! Using a radiator stop leak to fix leaks in your radiator costs less than replacing it.

Therefore, if you’re on a budget and need quick fixing of small leaks on your radiator, using a radiator stop leak is an ideal option.

However, if you’re dealing with a major leak or your radiator is significantly damaged, you’ll have to replace it.

It’s Cheap

Cons of Using a Radiator Stop Leak

It’s a temporary fix

Radiator stop leaks are significant when you’re on a budget or need a quick fix. However, it’s just a temporary solution.

Notably, constant use of stop leaks will only increase the cost of maintaining your radiator. Usually, it should be considered the last option or an emergency measure.

Possibility of clogging your radiator

The powder and pellets in the radiator stop leak products may sometimes clog up your radiator. As a result, your car engine will end up overheating due to blockage in the radiator tubes; thus, the engine block isn’t supplied with adequate coolant.

Final Thought

Radiator leaking can be frustrating. It’s often caused by corrosion, wear in the radiator gasket and hoses, or the radiator cap failing. Suppose the leakage is minor or you need quick fixing; you can always pour a radiator stop leak additive into a cool radiator to solve such a problem. However, you should remember that such fixing is not permanent and could clog your radiator if consistently used.

Filed Under: Auto Parts and Accessories

Mihailo Savic

First and foremost, I am a mechanical engineer. I graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2018 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
I have also gained experience in various industries such as aerospace, construction, oil & gas, etc, through my work with different companies.
Also working in the field of pressure equipment (vessels, pipelines and steam generators), such as inspection and testing.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Ignition Coil vs Spark Plug: What Are The Differences Between Them?
  • Will Fuel Injector Cleaner Help Misfire?
  • Wipers Going Wrong Way − Why and How to Fix?
  • What Causes a Dropped Valve Seat? The Symptoms?
  • What Causes Negative Crankcase Pressure? − Good or Bad?

Footer

Sitemap

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact

Newsletter

Get the latest news, events and announcements straight to your inbox.

Categories

  • Auto Parts and Accessories
  • Blog
  • Chemicals
  • Exterior and Interior
  • Tools
  • Uncategorized

Disclaimer

Autos Square is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca etc) and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.

Copyright © 2023 · Autos Square All rights reserved