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Topic: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator (Read 685 times) previous topic - next topic

Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

I just tried to add Bars Stop Leak to the radiator by adding it to the radiator black metal tank (reserve?) beside the plastic tank (overflow?).  The engine is totally cool and has been sitting for days.  When I loosened the radiator cap it caused coolant to spill out everywhere.  The overflow level is at the cool mark where it should be.  Is that the right place to add the Stop Leak or is there somewhere else I should be adding it?  Also, can anyone confirm the volume of radiator fluid in the system?  I think I read it was 15 gallons but not sure (engine is the 10.9L Cummins).  Thanks for the help!
2003 U320 38' tag
2003 Green Jeep Wrangler

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #1 –
Yes, with an overflow tank, the pressurized system should be totally full. That is why the level in the plastic tank goes up and down with change in coolant temperature.

If there is an air pocket in the pressurized system, that air pocket would absorb most/all the expansion/contraction and level in the overflow reservoir would not change/change far less.  So, little/no change in coolant level in the overflow reservoir between hot and cold is a signal to CHECK COOLANT LEVEL IN PRESSURIZED SYSTEM.

So, you may need to siphon some out to add anything.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #2 –
Drain about 2 gallons from the radiator drain. Add your bars leak to the black tank then add your coolant back. That way you get the Barr's leak into the radiator where it needs to be . You system should about 16 gal give or take. Be sure to close the valves on the water filter for a  few miles so the stop leak has time to do its job before the filter catches it.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #3 –
Thanks, guys for the help.  I just opened up the radiator door but could not see any drain point.  Is it possible our 03 320 doesn't have a radiator drain or am I just looking in the wrong place?  We are boondocking in the desert and I don't have a siphon with us.  We need to meet up with an RV tech in the near future so we may just add this to our list.  I thought this may be a simple task for us to get done today. 

As a side note, anyone got any tips for keeping the radiator door latches operating freely?  I've tried cleaning them and putting silicon spray on them but they seem to get filled with dirt and almost impossible to unlatch.  In fact, one of the latches broke off the other day and it's on my list of things to fix.  Are the latches riveted in place? 

Thanks again.  Appreciate the help!

2003 U320 38' tag
2003 Green Jeep Wrangler

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #4 –
You should have a old fashion radiator drain cock in the bottom of the radiator a toward the front. Be careful when loosing don't wring things off.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #5 –
Quote from: bbeane –
You should have a old fashion radiator drain cock in the bottom of the radiator a toward the front. Be careful when loosing don't wring things off.

Thanks, I found it.  It looks pretty rusty, so I think I'm going to hold off until we're closer to help if things don't go to plan.  I'd hate to loose all my coolant boon docking in the desert.  :o

2003 U320 38' tag
2003 Green Jeep Wrangler

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #6 –
From any hardware store, buy 5' of cheap, clear plastic hose and just use it to siphon out of the fill.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #7 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
From any hardware store, buy 5' of cheap, clear plastic hose and just use it to siphon out of the fill.

I think that's best option when it comes to me not stuffing it up and loosing all the fluid!  :))
2003 U320 38' tag
2003 Green Jeep Wrangler

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #8 –
Rube Goldberg is alive and well!!! :))  :))
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #9 –
Does your wife have one of these onboard?

Re: Trouble adding Bars Stop Leak to radiator

Reply #10 –
No turkey baster, but we are now back in civilization and in one place for a couple of weeks.  I have to go get a few extra bottles of Bars and some tubing and we should be in business. 
2003 U320 38' tag
2003 Green Jeep Wrangler