OT: Stop Leak Chemical

[fedoragent]

Folks,

I currently have a leaking rear main seal and I don't know when I'm going to get to it. Someone suggested that I pick up some Stop Leak Chemical to add to the oil. I've bought it but somewhat pensive to put it into the breather pipe. Has anyone ever used this stuff to plug up an oil leak temporarily? Would it be bad for the engine?

FG.

[james49ply]

let me know if it works, mine leaks too, about a quart every 400 miles, messy driveway. I would be aprehensive as anything that could swell a rope seal has to be hard on rubber seals. An old trick from the 50's and most likely earlier was to put a little bit of brake fluid in engines and automatic transmissions. Swells the rubber, makes autos shift great, stops all leaks, for a little while, then everything everything rubber or the like would disintegrate.. They used to put bananas in differentials to quiet them also, talk about a stink when you pull them apart:rolleyes:

[48mirage]

I've heard of adding a quart of ATF during an oil change to basically swell the seals. Haven't tried it yet.

[hkestes41]

For those with the rope seal, I would suggest you try seals from these guys.

http://bestgasket.com/fanfare.asp

I heard some good reports on their rope seals so I installed one myself and have had no more leaks from the rearmain for going on a year now.

Now I just need to use their gaskets to stop the rest of the leaks.

[randroid]

FA,

Be certain which type of stop-leak you buy because most of them are for radiators and can't do the innards of the engine a lot of good. That said, all the chemicals you add are simply a stop-gap measure at best and you are going to need to replace that seal, now or in the near future, so whatever you use start getting some tools together now. The oil pan will drop out of a P-15 without undoing anything else, which makes changing the seal a cut-and-dried procedure. Not a lot of fun on a good day but still easier than changing the plugs on a big-block late sixties Camero.

-Randy

(Who evidently enjoys using hyphens.)

[55 Fargo]

Folks,

I currently have a leaking rear main seal and I don't know when I'm going to get to it. Someone suggested that I pick up some Stop Leak Chemical to add to the oil. I've bought it but somewhat pensive to put it into the breather pipe. Has anyone ever used this stuff to plug up an oil leak temporarily? Would it be bad for the engine?

FG.

Try puttin some miles and time on the engine, maybe the seal will start doing it's job again.

Stop leaks, are mostly snake oil, or temporary cures. sometimes seals dry up, and will seal again with some use again........Fred

[dezeldoc]

And most won't work on a rope rear main, front neoprene seal it will swell it up but it also make it go out all the way faster.

[Niel Hoback]

Trust me on this, you will end up changing the seal. I have dumped more stuff in my crankcase than any sane person would. There is no such thing as a "seal in a can". Trans fluid won't do anything. Put oil when it needs it and resign yourself to fixing it the right way. C'mon, its your car, not some toy. Although that line does get a little blurry sometimes.

[greg g]

Ok so what is the story with the rear mainseal. My p15 with its original seal leaked, about a pint every 500 mile. I had it looked at and had the crank spray welded and remachined as it was pitted fro years of non usage. Had a new rope seal put in. It leaked a pint every 500 miles. Then a coule years later, I had a new neoprene type seal put in, leaked a bou a pint every 500 miles. Currently with about 4500 miles on a rebuilt 56 engine with new neoprene seal it leaks about a pint every 500 miles. So the only thing I can conclude is that the rear main seal is not actualy a seal, but in reality a oil seepage delaying accessory.

I have spoken to many other flathead mopar owners and not one of them has a complet seal at the rear of the crak shaft.

So how many people on this forum have a running mopar flat 6 i regular use that does not leak from the rear main????

[randroid]

Folks,

"So how many people on this forum have a running mopar flat 6 i regular use that does not leak from the rear main????"

... and an eerie silence fills the room.

-Randy

(who has yet to learn how to quote other posts.)

[TodFitch]

Folks,

"So how many people on this forum have a running mopar flat 6 i regular use that does not leak from the rear main????"

... and an eerie silence fills the room.

-Randy

(who has yet to learn how to quote other posts.)

Just click on the quote button on the post you want to quote.

Even when I got it relatively leak free before the professional rebuild, the best I was able to achieve as about 1 qt every 2000 miles. At the moment I'd be happy if I could get it down to that again.

[P-12 Tommy]

I fixed my rear main a few months back and I haven't seen any leak there yet. My timing chain cover seal is leaking pretty good. Gonna fix it soon.

Tom