bars leaks or forte

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 15 Apr 2007, 09:40

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned using egg whites!

Ground nutmeg works well too!

Sturdybloke · Unread post by **Sturdybloke** » 15 Apr 2007, 10:22

From experience I would go for Barrs leak (I used the powder version like a OXO cube) without any problems on the cars its been used on. The only experience I had with radweld was when the previous owner had put it into a Rover 418 TD (1769 XUD lump) and it blocked 2 small (but critical) pipes that return water from the cyl head and thermostat housing to the expansion tank. Was not best pleased that I had a warped head and had to spend more time cleaning out pipes that were blocked with radweld

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 15 Apr 2007, 12:07

dnsey wrote:
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned using egg whites!
Ground nutmeg works well too!

Never heard about that one. But at least smells good

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 27 Aug 2007, 09:44

I've used K-seal on a K series with a failed head gasket and it sealed it up for 6 months before it blew again! Good stuff in my book and i'll certainly be using it for my heater matrix as its showing signs of leaking (it stinks, but no water loss)

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 02 Sep 2007, 07:51

jeremy wrote: Barrs is a long established product as well and was certainly recommended by Jaguar in the 50's and probably before - and was used from new. I think its primary purpose was to make sure some of the lovely highly polished alloy water manifolds and other parts were not porous as blue anti-freeze stains rather spoils the effect!

Jaguar changed their tune on this in service bulletin JD 06/79

Investigations into the cuase of overheating have revealed that the use of 'barsleak' has a detrimental effect on the radiator efficiency, and in certain cases can lead to radiator bockage. As a result 'Barsleak' has been discontinued from use on production vehicles from: VIN....
In view of these findings , it is recommended that Service Personel discontinue using 'Barsleak' as a cooling system additive.

My experience with Jaguars taught me that Barrs Leaks is especially troublesome with crossflow radiators, where it settles on the bottom of the tubes, blocking them over a period of time. It also, over a period of years, cements the gaps between the cylinder head studs and cylinder heads, making them almost impossible to remove.

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 02 Sep 2007, 09:35

I'm not surprised - I expect the Vin no corresponds with the replacement of copper tubed radiators with aluminum as crossflow radiators had been used since the early 60's - ie long before Europe forced Vin no's on us.

Wasn't the problem with the stud/cylinder head confined to the series 11 and 111 XJ6 (and limo etc) as these engines had long studs picking up at the bottom of the engine which passed straight through the block top and through the water jacket - and thus can be surrounded with water.

K series may have had long bolts but they were on the outside.