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View Full Version : 96 chevy cavalier leaking head gasket need advice


gwen41539
Mar 18, 2006, 11:22 PM
My 1996 chevy cavalier is leaking around the head gasket its not really bad but it is noticeable will Bar's radiator stop leak help me? Will it hurt my motor? I'm afraid it could mix with the oil and cause damage what do you think? So far as I can tell it is only leaking from the outside of the gasket for now

thebriggsdude
Mar 19, 2006, 12:30 AM
Does it like to blow a lot of smoke at start up? Gm got bars leaks to make they're gm seal tabs, which is used at factory. http://www.barsproducts.com/product.cfm?id=37 Like this one...


If your wanting to get a little more out of it before you get rid of it, I'd use this http://www.barsproducts.com/product.cfm?id=41, some stop leaks can stop up small passages in the system. The other solution is to actually fix it the right way... BUT you could put the stop leak in it, and trade it in or sell it.
And yes, coolant in the oil will harm the engines bearings, its not a very good lubricant, it'll eat at the bearings, mix with the oil and sludge up.

gwen41539
Mar 19, 2006, 05:50 AM
Does it like to blow alot of smoke at start up? Gm got bars leaks to make they're gm seal tabs, which is used at factory. http://www.barsproducts.com/product.cfm?id=37 Like this one....


If your wanting to get a little more out of it before you get rid of it, i'd use this http://www.barsproducts.com/product.cfm?id=41, some stop leaks can stop up small passages in the system. The other solution is to actually fix it the right way..... BUT you could put the stop leak in it, and trade it in or sell it.
And yes, coolant in the oil will harm the engines bearings, its not a very good lubricant, it'll eat at the bearings, mix with the oil and sludge up.

OK the coolant isn't mixing with my oil it just leaking from the outside this car is in great shape all the way around except for this we are thinking about fixing it.. it doesn't smoke at all ever has no oil leaks just this small coolant leak from the head gasket so if I use the bar's and my oil and coolant do mix will the bars cause damage I know the oil and coolant will gum up but what about the bar's will it cause additioanl damage?

labman
Mar 19, 2006, 10:57 AM
My daughter ran a Baretta that way for years, with many miles. Once in a while, she had to add more stop leak. It never got any worse before the car was in a accident.

thebriggsdude
Mar 19, 2006, 05:45 PM
Nope, bars leaks is pretty good, I'm not a fan of stop leak... but bars does seem to plug the leak, and to not clog the system up.

whplsh
Mar 2, 2007, 09:46 AM
my 1996 chevy cavalier is leaking around the head gasket its not really bad but it is noticable will Bar's radiator stop leak help me? will it hurt my motor? im afraid it could mix with the oil and cause damage what do u think? so far as i can tell it is only leaking from the outside of the gasket for now
DONOT DO THE BARS LEAK. Find a mechanic or do it yourself before the engine over heats. Trust me I have a 96 cavalier and I had my friend do it for 400 dollars and it's paid for itself!!

rasco847
Mar 22, 2007, 10:07 PM
my 1996 chevy cavalier is leaking around the head gasket its not really bad but it is noticable will Bar's radiator stop leak help me? will it hurt my motor? im afraid it could mix with the oil and cause damage what do u think? so far as i can tell it is only leaking from the outside of the gasket for now

This radiator stop leak won't solve the problem u have or may not even help the problem. U can usually smell antifreeze in the oil by smelling the oil fill hole and vice versa. Best thing is to do is either start saving for the repair or try it yourself which is not quite easy especial if you don't have the right tools. Good luck