Notices
Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8

Heater core leak. K-Seal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 11-14-2019, 04:44 PM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
cisjga's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 94
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Heater core leak. K-Seal?

Hi all,

Dreaded heater core leak. I have bypassed it for now.
Thinking about trying this K-Seal instead of ripping out the dashboard.

Thoughts? Racing beat seem to endorse it: https://www.racingbeateurope.com/k-seal-water-sealer-1226-p.asp

Any comments good or bad much appreciated.

Cheers,

John
Old 11-23-2019, 03:18 PM
  #2  
Registered
 
Tonycar107's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Fort Myers FL
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
I have coolant leak in my rear rotor. I didn't want to pull the motor out mid summer in south Florida so I added a bottle of k seal. It's been about 4 months and I have no leaks anymore. It sits for a week at a time and even after sitting, it shows no signs of a leak. It hasn't clogged anything in the cooling system either. No overheating issues.
Old 11-29-2019, 09:01 PM
  #3  
New Member
 
xamtex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i had a suzuki sj offroader that cracked the block about 8 inches long across the core plugs...1 bottle of k seal later the leak stopped and it was still ok 3 years later when i sold it,its now in norway and still ok as far as i know...k seal has a big thumbs up from me.
Old 12-03-2019, 05:56 AM
  #4  
RX-Heaven
iTrader: (6)
 
mazdaverx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Vermilion Ohio
Posts: 2,083
Received 175 Likes on 142 Posts
It should be fine but why not just bite the bullet and replace the heater core?
Old 12-04-2019, 12:30 PM
  #5  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
cisjga's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 94
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Thanks guys for your input. I tried it but had no luck, it actually clogged the heater core, probably because there was a lot of air in there.
I'm going to unclog it with a back flush and try again but this time applying stop leak only to the heater core (i.e. a make shift mini system that will circulate water and stop leak only to the heater core). If that fails, then off goes the dashboard. Trying to avoid it as the garage wants it for 2 days. The cost is not that bad, 100€ labor + 70€ for a new core.

The cost doesn't bother me at all, quite cheap actually, just can't afford to be without a car at the moment.
Old 12-12-2019, 04:41 PM
  #6  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
cisjga's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 94
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Hi all,

Just an update on progress and to set straight some things I said earlier about K-Seal.
Firstly, it didn't clog the heater core, I thought it did but it didn't. Two days after I added K-Seal my radiator fell apart at the seams, where the aluminum meets the plastic, so maybe the stuff didn't get a chance to work. The radiator problem was in no way related to K-Seal. Just a cheaply made radiator that replaced the original three years ago.

Secondly, after replacing the radiator, of course all the K-Seal was flushed out of the system and new coolant was added.

I didn't have any K-Seal left so I decided to try Liqui Moly radiator stop leak as that was available locally and it was so cheap I bought two cans. I poured some into the heater core and filled with coolant and the rest into the coolant reservoir. I used only one can of course and it worked, full heat in the car and hasn't lost a drop in over a week now. No wet carpet anymore etc.

I still have the stuff in the system. I was smart enough to use generic green coolant for this experiment (the cheap stuff). Fl22 will replace it shortly. Even though Liqui Moly states that it can be left in the system for insurance just like K-Seal states, I still cringe a bit on leaving stop leak in the works.

So success 🙌
Old 12-12-2019, 07:09 PM
  #7  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,727
Received 2,010 Likes on 1,639 Posts
Originally Posted by mazdaverx7
It should be fine but why not just bite the bullet and replace the heater core?
because it’s a big pita job that requires pulling out the entire front and center dashes maybe?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jesus1199
New Member Forum
3
07-01-2017 03:02 PM
MarcoT11
New Member Forum
5
08-31-2013 12:16 PM
Bignick83
Series I Trouble Shooting
0
03-02-2013 09:38 AM
Magana8
Series I Trouble Shooting
3
03-19-2011 01:58 AM
gusmahler
Series I Tech Garage
6
11-14-2009 06:53 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Heater core leak. K-Seal?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 AM.