Ok so as most of you know I have a crack in my block. I went to pick the truck up today and she drove like a champ. Well of course because I fill it up with water before leaving the shop. when I got home i start to think about what the mechanic said.

He told me if I didnt have the money to fix it right now that I could try a product called Bars Leak. He said he has used it on countless of his own cars with great results. sometimes never having to actually fix the problem.

I did dome research on my own and couldnt find nothing but awesome reviews and outcomes. No one that tried the problem had one single complaint.

My thoughts are hell its only ten buck why not give it a shot it could save my truck or at least apply a major band aid till funds provide me the option to fix the problem. With me starting this new job I could def fix it in three or four months but I can not go without a car that long.

have you guys ever used this product?

 

If you have a crack in your block, what else could you screw up with it?

 

Just as long as you understand (which I'm sure you do) that it will cure the symptoms and not the problem would I tell you to use it. I understand the situation your in and I personally would use it IF I had no other solution or money. Never knew of anyone that tried it so I can't answer that. I really hope it does work for you because I've been in your situation more then once. Let us know if you use it.

 

I used a bars stop leak product for a blown head gasket on my 2002 qc 1500 4x4 w/4.7 203k miles. was like 30 some bucks and worked great. haven't had to add coolant since. probably have 10k miles on it since the treatment. I worry about this stuff decreasing performance of my radiator and heater core and causing complications when and if I rebuild this motor. ( i.e. water jackets caked with the stuff etc.) In your case with a cracked block and probably cracked heads you probably have nothing to lose. if you keep the truck and stick a diff motor in it you might want to change the radiator and heater core for piece of mind.

 

JRob,
You may want to consider a used engine with low mileage not necessarily right now. Check out this web site for a salvage yard in your area http://car-part.com/ , just replace the valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, plenum gasket and water pump before putting the motor in..
It would be a good time to do the cap rotor and oil sending unit also..

 

haha my thoughts exactly

Yeah I understand that. I would just be using this as a big ol band aid just to give me enough time to save up the cash to get the block machined or even a new motor.

That gives me a lot of hope. If I could use this stuff and get a 10k+ bandaid I would def have plenty of time to save up for a new motor, rad, and heater core.


I think I will give this stuff a shot in the morning.

was there any specific instruction on how to use the stuff or do you just dump the whole bottle in the radiator?

 

I'd READ the instructions on the bottle.

 

I've used it before but only in a pinch. They claim it's a long term solution but buyer beware.... You've got the right idea to use it for the short term to save up cash for a new block.

 

that my plans

I was gonna use the bars leak. Save up find a junkyard engine. start going through it my self replacing gaskets and whatever I could my self then have it dropped in by a shop as thats beyond my tool capacity and brain knowledge.

 

haha I will just curious