Small Antifreeze Leak - need advice (trucker, engine, replace, cost)

[JBnC]

Don't know much about cars, but here are my stats:
2000 Altima 4cyl Automatice
89000 Miles

Took it in for tuneup, oile change, etc and they told me I had a small antifreeze leak somewhere, but they could not find - cost $250 to repair (new radiator). I did some research and found some stuff called Bar's Leaks that I can put in with the antifreeze. Is this stuff okay to try? Anyone used it? Any success stories?

[burdell]

Originally Posted by JBnC

Don't know much about cars, but here are my stats:
2000 Altima 4cyl Automatice
89000 Miles

Took it in for tuneup, oile change, etc and they told me I had a small antifreeze leak somewhere, but they could not find - cost $250 to repair (new radiator). I did some research and found some stuff called Bar's Leaks that I can put in with the antifreeze. Is this stuff okay to try? Anyone used it? Any success stories?

I'd want to know why if they can't find the leak they want to replace the radiator? Could be something as simple as a loose clamp or a $15.OO hose, I think your first move should be to find someone else to service your car. Telling you the cost of a repair when they can't define the problem is just unacceptable in my opinion.

[Drover]

I'm with burdell. "We don't know where the leak is, but we'd like you to spend $250 on a repair that might not even fix the problem." If what you say is an accurate description of what actually transpired, I wouldn't go back to that place again.

[mm34b]

I don't think anyone recommends using a can of "stop leaks" type stuff. The location of the leak should be easy to identify by pressurizing the cooling system in a real repair shop.

[JBnC]

Originally Posted by Drover

I'm with burdell. "We don't know where the leak is, but we'd like you to spend $250 on a repair that might not even fix the problem." If what you say is an accurate description of what actually transpired, I wouldn't go back to that place again.

Well I would never have major repairs done there. I only had it serviced there. I got the quote just out of curiousity. I plan on getting a second, and third opinions at actual shops next week.

I am also interested in more feed back on Bar's Leaks if anyone has one.

[exhdo1]

Originally Posted by JBnC

Don't know much about cars, but here are my stats:
2000 Altima 4cyl Automatice
89000 Miles

Took it in for tuneup, oile change, etc and they told me I had a small antifreeze leak somewhere, but they could not find - cost $250 to repair (new radiator). I did some research and found some stuff called Bar's Leaks that I can put in with the antifreeze. Is this stuff okay to try? Anyone used it? Any success stories?

I agree with burdell and Drover, I would stay away from that repair shop!

[Drover]

Originally Posted by JBnC

Well I would never have major repairs done there. I only had it serviced there. I got the quote just out of curiousity. I plan on getting a second, and third opinions at actual shops next week.

I am also interested in more feed back on Bar's Leaks if anyone has one.

I personally wouldn't put that stuff in a car I planned to have around for a while. Even if you put it in there, the leak is going to have to be fixed eventually; the stop-leak stuff is only a temporary measure. Might as well get it taken care of now while it's still only a small leak.

[Bob The Builder]

Ok. I bought a small schoolbus and drove it up the Alcan from SF to Alaska. On the way in Prince George I hit a cow that strayed onto the highway at about midnight. The radiator was trashed (cow dead). These truckers took me to their house. They peeled off two of the five core rows in the radiator and used pliers to pinch off most of the leaks. THEN they ran the engine with a hose filling in from the top for about 15 minutes and poured BLACK PEPPER into the top of the radiator. They explained that the pepper will find its way to the leak , expands and cures to form a permanent seal.

I continued up to Alaska, the Arctic circle and back to SF. Then I went across the US and back in 14 days. All in all, I drove it another 50k miles with not one leak. Three years later I took it to a shop that insisted on changing it out for 800 bucks.

Try a buck's worth of pepper.

[EdJones]

Have you flushed the radiator?

Have you ever changed the hoses?

If not, at 89,000 miles, you need to flush that thing and changed the all the hoses. Yes....I know....I know.... there's people out there that have never changed them and their car drives fine,,,yada,,,,,yada.

But seriously, just for regular maintenance, have the radiator flushed, changed all the hoses, and see if they can find the source of the leak while they do this routine maintenance.

Based on the little info you provided....I doubt the whole radiator is bad.

[exhdo1]

Originally Posted by Bob The Builder

Ok. I bought a small schoolbus and drove it up the Alcan from SF to Alaska. On the way in Prince George I hit a cow that strayed onto the highway at about midnight. The radiator was trashed (cow dead). These truckers took me to their house. They peeled off two of the five core rows in the radiator and used pliers to pinch off most of the leaks. THEN they ran the engine with a hose filling in from the top for about 15 minutes and poured BLACK PEPPER into the top of the radiator. They explained that the pepper will find its way to the leak , expands and cures to form a permanent seal.

I continued up to Alaska, the Arctic circle and back to SF. Then I went across the US and back in 14 days. All in all, I drove it another 50k miles with not one leak. Three years later I took it to a shop that insisted on changing it out for 800 bucks.

Try a buck's worth of pepper.

Oatmeal will also work. I know about the pepper thing but I'm surprised it lasted that long.