bars stop leak / head gasket repair

[xjasonx]

anyone ever use that stuff? ive used it once with good results back on my first card (94 dodge shadow)

my festiva is using coolant and spewing oil out the cap.. 267k miles means im not going to repair the head gasket as itll likely make things worse in the end. anyone know if the head gasket repair fluid or copper stop leak will work well as a bandaid for a while?

need to limp this until i can find/afford a new car/festiva!

[TominMO]

Or a new motor? Sounds like swap time! Swap in a JY gen 2 B6.

[getnpsi]

Nothing over the counter is going to help if there is fluids mixing. It only helps when you have "disappearing coolant" when you are checking levels.

[redbirds25to5]

After buying my Festiva (137,000 Auto) this summer, I was told by a mechanic that it had a leaking rear main seal, "but it's not gushing." It's been about a week since I changed my oil filter and my oil over to full synthetic with about 3/4 bottle of Lucas Stop Leak, and I've yet to see levels change on my dipstick. I'm always skeptical of additives, but I would think that something out there might work. With a vehicle that has that many miles and with pockets getting tight, I would try a quick fix too! Good luck!

[xjasonx]

yea, its a toss up between the copper stop leak and the head gasket repair formula.. to me its worth a shot.. engine swap isnt worth it since i got the car for $800.. if i could do it myself and had a lot of time id be into that for sure.. but now im hoping to bandaid this situation better then adding water and oil every time i drive..

267k miles is a lot! redbird you got a lot of life left in your engine

[blkfordsedan]

I've used the Silver Seal before in an old pickup.........added a can to the radiator and re-torqued the head. It can also tend to clog up the heater core. Doesn't sound like you have a lot to lose.

[Nerd Racing]

are you kidding, $800 means you owe the car much and should swap it!

[mattman]

i used copper seal in my 79 caddy on a trip to daytona ....it was getting bad steam out the tail pipe got to a advance auto picked up 2 bottles of the copper seal an pulled the t-stat out ( i was scared it would freeze it or gumm it up ) put both bottles in the car topped of the fluids an ran it around the block by the store for 30 mins

it never leaked again motor ran fine an this happened 1 month after i got the car an i drove it that way for 5 years never a problem after that an the guy i sold it to is still driving it 11 years later an has never done anything but change the oil ........so i vote copper seal .................of course that many miles an engine swap sounds good too

[xjasonx]

sweet ill go try the copper stuff again, see what happens. the headgasket stuff looks like it needs to have all coolant drained.. dont got time for that right now.

[jamesmc]

I know a guy who used the "bars stop leak" on his 400,000 mile Camry. Worked like a charm, apparently. That thing won't quit.