My 95 850 has developed a slight dripping coolant leak, apparently from the joint between the radiator itself and the plastic tank clamped to the driver's side of the radiator.

Thought I would try some Bar's Stop Leak, at least as a temporary measure. Anyone have any experience with this?

The Bar's instructions say to add it to the radiator, but I note that the Volvo radiator does not appear to have a pressure cap. Can I add it to the expansion tank instead?

 

I wouldnt do it. Read up on radiator aditives such as bars leak. They can gum up and damage. Sure it my plug the hole but it will be throughout the engine and heater core. Start looking for a replacement radiator.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't add anything to the motor, I agree with boxpin. That stuff will be traveling throughout the entire motor, and if you have a turbo, it will be in the turbo, and yeah, just a mess.

 

I've read about Bar's: Some people who've actually used it have problems; others say it works great. Is there anyone who has actually used it on an 850 and can report on their experience, good or bad?

It's not a turbo, BTW.

 

I think your going to have a hard time finding anyone that added that, let alone any product to their car.

 

If you're going to add any stop leak chemical to your car, use the bar's leaks powder. That one is known to be aluminum- safe and safe for the small passages in the radiator, as a couple automakers (coughGMcough) added it at the factory on some of their early aluminum engines. However, this should ONLY be done in an emergency, say, you're on a long trip and need to get back home- anything that can stop a leak can also potentially plug a critical, but small, passageway in the engine or turbo. If it's leaking from the seam between tank and core, a much safer temporary fix would be to take a pair of pliers and try totighten the crimp in the area that it is leaking in. But you really need to cough up for a replacement radiator. Here's the scale:
OEM/Behr>Nissens>Used OEM>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>any cheap new one from China. Seriously- a good used one will likely last longer than a cheap knockoff new one.

 

Okay, thanks for the advice (even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear).