bankers1

Like an idiot, it dropped a screwdriver into the undercarriage? of my 2017 G.S. while changing the air filter. I usually find them with magnets and a mirror on to sticks. Could not locate.
Drove less than 5 miles from house, wife was following, and she said she saw a metalic item fall from my car taking a hard right turn @ 30-40 MPH. A few hours later, a drip, and later 2-3 OZ of antifreeze came out.
When car sits still at a slight uphill drive, no drips, after driving a few miles, it's wet under the RAD. Not a hose issue, Do I, A: buy a new GM RAD, B: Take a chance that a Rockauto part will fit? or C: Fill the RAD with crap to stop leak and get into my THERM and Heater Core? I'm 63 YO and it looks like a Dealer will do it, I don't have a lift, too many parts to remove to get at RAD. I can't SEE the hole to fillmit with J&B stuff, so ....... any advice please? RAD Is $ 311. GM and $ 169. Rockauto. Install cost should be WHAT?

ErnieN85

Try some stop leak from an auto parts store first. might work after that stock replacement or Dewitts if it's been running Hot

Tinkertech

Never use stop leak, unless your getting rid of the car.

at best it just a band-aid.

ErnieN85

It is in from the factory

danoaz

I watched this YouTube:


It doesn't look too bad. One thing that came to mind is that I need to get some of those pop-clip removal tools, because they looks sweet and I like to have tools. The list of tools in the video doesn't mention it, but he uses radiator clamp pliers, like these:

https://www.autozone.com/wrenches-pl...ers/607069_0_0

I have used similar pliers for years and are a must-have, because they will save you a lot of time and frustration. In some cases, it is almost impossible to get the clamp off without them.
I agree with Tinkertech. Using stop leak is not the best way to fix it. Replace the radiator. The dealer will probably charge more than $311 if they install it. I think most dealers (and independents) will frown if you bring the part. You can call the dealer and get a quote on the whole job. That may help you decide.

CorvetteMike2024

You have a $70,000 + or - corvette. I would not take any shortcuts. I would replace. If it were a lower value car and not a corvette , I would try stop leak.

iclick

When I owned a Euro sport sedan about 10 years ago many on that dedicated forum swore by Bar's Leaks, and most (including me) used it even when they had no leak. The scuttlebutt was that it lubricated the water pump and extended its life.

bankers1

What will happen in the future? If I use Bar's Leaks Stop Leak " Liquid Aluminum" or K-Seal "all purpose (Head,Gasket,RAD)? Thermo stopped up, Heater Core not flowing property.
I do plan on keeping the '17 GS for another 100,000 miles. I was told once the leak is stopped, flush your system 1-2X to get rid of the remainder? BS or what....

CorvetteMike2024

Well if your keeping it for 100,000 miles, why chinch out and put stop leak in it? If you go on long trips it could leave you stranded. Do you really want that stuff floating around your entire cooling system including the heater core? Just my .02 cents

ErnieN85

No one knows that for sure, in my case it was a $1,000 radiator. It's been in there a couple of years now and no problems including track days (no over heating), in the end it's your money and your car.
Mostly it's how you feel about it.

9sec

old school thought is take it to a radiator shop and they will find the leak braze it and pressure test it to ensure no leaks. maybe 75 -100$

Bill Dearborn

Several things are wrong with that. First, you need to remove the radiator which unless you are doing it yourself (which the OP doesn't seem to want to do) you might as well pop for a new radiator as labor costs are more than likely high enough to justify just going with a new GM radiator and getting a 12K/12 month warranty on the repair. The second is finding a radiator repair shop. They have just about all disappeared. It used to be any town with a 100K population would have seven or eight such shops. Now they are lucky to have one,

Bill

9sec

2 radiator shops in my town. rad removal isnt that hard to do and a new rad is about 350$

bankers1

Do they REALLY have a StopLeak installed when it leaves Bowling Green ???

ErnieN85

That is what i was told, seems its a preventative and water pump lube also

CorvetteMike2024

Who is your source?

ErnieN85

I do not remember It’s been a few years, if I had to guess I’d say it was one of the corvette engineers. Things may have changed since then as i did use it per their recommendation and it worked fine (for me)

Bill Dearborn

Didn't say radiator removal was hard but it is time consuming and will add labor dollars. In most shops, you are probably looking at 4 hours to take it out and put it back in from a flat rate standpoint. Nowadays I suspect most independent shop rates are over $100 per hour.

Bill

96GS#007

That was back in the C4 days. If you changed the radiator or did a full coolant flush there were pellets you bought from the dealer that were supposed to be crushed up and dropped in the coolant reservoir as a leak preventative and lubricant.

ErnieN85

Jim, Thanks Guess it’s been longer than I thought