I noticed a small leak on my 2000 Cavalier. I plan on getting it fixed later this week, however I wanted something to patch it for now. Bought some bars stop leak (liquid copper) and more fluid, however I don‘t see a radiator cap. Can I just pour the bars stop liquid down the fluid reservoir? If not, what is the best way to apply the bars stop liquid? Also, if there is a radiator cap on my vehicle, where is it located?I understand its a temp fix. I just want to know if I can apply the bars liquid this way.Thank you.
The cap for that vehicle is located on the reservoir tank, not on the radiator. Very odd, but school bus engines do that nowadays. Many newer cars do that as well. Yes, just put the bars leak in the reservoir tank. The best thing to do is to find the leak first, before plugging it. Most of the time it's a simple hose clamp on a radiator hose that just needs tightened with a screw driver. Always find the leak first before fixing it, so you can check later to make sure it's fixed, and so that you verify that it's not in a critical location, like the head gasket.
If you can get by without adding the stop leak to your radiator you will be better off. If the leak is so large that you can't just fill the car every day, the stop leak probably won't help very much. If it's a small leak, I would recommend just keeping your radiator filled every day whenever you have the opportunity. Use the sealant as a last resort, but try to avoid it, if possible, since you're getting the radiator fixed later this week.
First, my dad used that stuff 47 years ago - it stopped up the heat core. No heater in the winter. But I didn't learn from his mistake. 5 years later, I put that stuff in my leaking radiator. It stopped up my heater core. No heat. So, I NEVER use anything to sop a coolant leak. I get the leak repaired. You can't put it into the overflow reservoir. That stuff need heat to melt and seal the leak. You have to have a radiator cap somewhere. The radiator cap is the pressure regulator for your cooling system All radiator caps I'm familiar with are located on the top left, center or right corner of the radiator.
