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I hit some key that threw my last message on the board before it was completed, so I'll attempt to complete it here:
Back to the '91, in summary, after 177k miles with no cooling system maladies, I think we can safely say that at least BL does no harm. Okay, are we in agreement here? More evidence? I have a '66 Corvette 427 that I've owned for 20 years, and it has run BL since that time. As with the Saabs, it has not had any cooling system problems except the thermostat, which was replaced several months ago. I have reason to believe it was the original item installed at the factory, as it carried the old part number for thermostats of that era. For certain, it is the first 'stat I've replaced on the car. Admittedly, it has a cast-iron block and heads with a copper radiator, which is somewhat different from what we see described here.
The point I've been trying to make on this board for several years is that using BL from the outset and continuing its use for the duration of ownership is a good way to increase the chances of keeping the system healthy. Not only will it plug most leaks permanently (as long as it is in the system and replenished according to the instructions) including many head-gasket maladies, but it conditions the coolant which will prolong the life of the water-pump seal.
Your point that throwing BL into a system with a leak is pointless and that it is tantamount to a band-aid treatment for a serious problem, but this is not always correct. Adding BL to a 9K with a classic case of heater-core seapage can fix the leak permanently, as at least one person has attested to on this thread. A friend who is a heavy diesel mechanic (cranes mostly) uses it successfully on all radiator problems he encounters and has reported back to me that he is now a big fan of the product. Alas, if a leak is plugged it will stay plugged as long as BL is in the system, but if it is removed, that leak will almost assuredly return.
I was first turned on to BL when I owned a water-cooled Suzuki cruiser (motorcycle) some years back. The owners manual specified in no uncertain terms that BL *must* be installed every time the coolant was changed, and that BL was the only brand to be used. I recall it to have been a very terse and unequivocal instruction to use it or else. Now, if a Japanese company would have that much confidence in this product, there must be a good reason. After I researched it further, I found that it is highly regarded throughout the industry and among enthusiasts, and that many OEM's (GM, Ford, Chrysler, Jaguar, etc.) install it in every new car they manufacture. My confidence was then bolstered enough to begin using it in the last months of owning my '86 9K.
I really don't care if you use this product or not, but I do resent an attack against it when you provided no evidence to support what you claimed, basically that it was not appropriate to use in a 9K. I disagree, and I think there is more evidence to support its use than otherwise, and in fact I've seen no credible evidence that shows that it can do anything but good to any cooling system.
posted by 68.11.251...
, Sun, 25 Aug 2002 13:26:13, Sun, 25 Aug 2002 23:46:17
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