Cooling System Pellets

[John M.]

Is there a part number for the sealing pellets that GM puts in the cooling system? Should these things be put into a newly rebuilt engine and cooling system?
Thanks

[Terry M.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

John,
Some folks dislike those pellets intensely. They frequently clog heater cores and other coolant system parts. Here is a rant on that very subject, along with a picture of a part we are familiar with in an unlikely environment.

http://impalassforum.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=33;t=008575

The pellets can serve a useful purpose in the proper environment. I had a 2.8 L V6 equipped vehicle that kept losing coolant with no visible external leaks. No coolant in the oil as determined by oil chemical analysis. I found out these engines are prone to cracks in the cylinder case deck surface. Those pellets kept that car running for years. It is still running with about 225K miles on it.

[Bill E.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

John:

I don't know about GM Pellets but I had a leak that I could not locate and used Bars Leak. It stopped the leak with no apparent problems to the heater core.

Bill

[Dick W.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

Used in moderation, Bars Leaks will work. Problem is that most people think if a little is good, a whole lot is better. I have disassembled engines and found the area around the bottom of the cylinder cases totally packed with undisolved pellets.

[Jack H.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

If memory serves, the pellets became a standard factory item in 1972 and were called out in the AIM as an 'as required' part.... But, if your system is intact, they're not needed!

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

use the bars, it will not hurt. it is just a oil that will seal up any leaks. well almost any leak.

[John M.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

Thank you all for the responses. When the engine was reassembled and filled and started I could see antifreeze near a block pipe plug and one of the freeze plugs. The freeze plug worried me. I'm going to put the pellets in but just once, I promise.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

all new cars coming down the assy line at GM and ford get the little brown pellets.

[Terry M.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

Rumor has it that ALL those pellets are made by Bars Leak, but I have no proof of that. Just Internet chatter.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

me thinks you are correct and bars leak is located in mich close to their biggest user

[John H.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

Yup, that's right - they're just up the road from me; every new car built in the U.S. for the last 35 years has had two Bar's pellets dropped in the radiator at the coolant evacuate-and-fill operation, and they still get them today.

[Tom R.]

Re: Cooling System Pellets

Interesting...they got a little goin don't they?

[Wayne K.]

My wife threatens to slip a couple...

of those pellets in my drink whenever I order a double bean burrito with extra onions & peppers.