Coolant Seep@ Head Stud

[1955CJ-5]

It does not leak much...just enough to dampen part of a paper towel each time I drive it.....but it's not going away as I had hoped some bits of rust would plug it up...

Deep down I think I know what needs to be done....

But, can I remove just the one stud without removing the head? I thought I'd split an old head nut and tighten the two halves against each other and maybe the stud will come out..they were all new a year ago....

Do I have to take all the head nuts loose to keep from doing any damage from an unevenly torqued head?

And then there are "Cadillac pellets"...those little pellets that GM sells for the Northstar engine that apparently leaks coolant unless you add a few pellets to each coolant flush...

Suggestions?

Randy

[Bob W]

You can loosen one stud and then re-torque it without a problem. I'm always leery about messing with head studs. Bad things happen. I'd just live with the small leak or try those Cadillac pellets.

[1955CJ-5]

I'm always leery about messing with head studs. Bad things happen.

That is what has been holding me back....I just don't want a small problem to become a large one.....

I've read that ground black pepper will work on small leaks, but they suggest an entire container....that seems like a lot of material to be dumping in the cooling system.

I'll look into those pellets a little further....

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-3634621-Cooling-System-Tablet/dp/B000QIH3C4

Thanks Bob....!

[Bob W]

I can send you some GM pellets.

[Ryan_M]

I had a similar scare a couple years back. Replaced the stud, prayed to the Jeep Gods, and so far I've driven 5500 miles on it with no further problems (knocking on wood now...)

http://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/coolant-leaking-thru-head-bolt_topic26639_page1.html

[1955CJ-5]

Thanks for the offer Bob, but I just ordered some through the local Napa store...they will be here tomorrow...

I'll let you know how/if they work...

Randy

[1955CJ-5]

I had a similar scare a couple years back. Replaced the stud, prayed to the Jeep Gods, and so far I've driven 5500 miles on it with no further problems (knocking on wood now...)

http://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/coolant-leaking-thru-head-bolt_topic26639_page1.html

Hmmmm...Now I'm thinking again......pull the stud and Permatex it?..or pellets.....no harm in trying the pellets first I guess..

[1955CJ-5]

OK, well, wonder of wonders, the "Bar's Radiator Stop Leak" worked just as advertised.

Two tablets per gallon of coolant so I put in five, and at that it seemed like a lot of material-I just couldn't put all six tablets in. I dissolved them first in a plastic drink bottle, just to make sure they would dissolve completely.....

Twenty minutes or so of driving and the leak is gone

This kind of fix is completely against my nature, but you can't argue with success...

So, this brand of Snake Oil works....for the small leaks anyway....

[Carls_jeep]

The problem with Bars Stop Leak is it also stops up your radiator core. It's designed to leave deposits where water goes through and that deposit will form at the top of the cores and soon close them up. NEVER use Bars Stop leaks unless it's an emergency and then have you radiator boiled out and rodded.

As to a leak at the head nuts, when I rebuilt my engine I had three seeping at the nuts. I just left them alone and in about a week they stopped leaking and have stayed that way.

[1955CJ-5]

Thanks Carl,

Mine have been seeping for a year.....

The old fellow at the NAPA store said that AcDelco water pumps used to come with stop leaks tablets new off the shelf. And they are used in cadillac northstar engines regularly.

I have already drained the coolant system and refilled with fresh anti-freeze and water.

No adverse affects noted yet.....

[Carls_jeep]

I would suppose that if you used Bars or something else and when the leak stopped you drained and refilled the system with new coolant it may be ok.

[1955CJ-5]

It seems to be OK...heater still works and the temp runs at just under 180 where it's always been.

I drained it then flushed it once with clear water and drained the block and radiator before refilling.....

Time will tell I guess....

[athawk11]

I too would be tempted to try this type of fix.  Pulling the head and studs is a lot of work for just a little stud seep.

Tim

[1955CJ-5]

I probably will never need to do this again, but if I did I would try just one or two tablets.

The package includes six tablets, enough for a three gallon system, according to the instructions. I used five and the leak stopped in a matter of minutes.

I would have been happy to have it stop leaking in a day or two....or a week....

I'll be curious to see how "permanent" the fix is.....

[ZekeD]

Ok really nothing to do with jeeps, but....

I was an aspiring member of the 76 US Olympic sailing team in the Finn class.  One man, one mast.
Everyone was using wooden masts, except the US, we had Aluminum!!!!!!   Too cool, until it came to the capsize test and the wooden masts floated and the aluminum waited a few minutes and sank!

Carl Eichenlaub was the manager and he had us unship the masts, and start a BBQ (!?!) while he ran to a Canadian auto parts store.

Carl put Barr's into the masts, heated them and we passed the tests...

Just goes to show you never know the ramifications of arcane experience. ( like Jeeps )

Zeke