engine oil stop leak
 

does anyone have any recommendation on what product to use to stop engine oil leaks?

Gaskets, Black permatex

At-205https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d241a388c5.jpg

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does that stuff actually work? cant get it in the UK.

Havent used it in my bmw but have used it in my 02 mazda tribute for a front seal leak and it works so far

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I never use anything to stop leaks other than fixing the cause of the leak. The problem with additives is they can collect places they shouldn't be.

Can't buy it here either but Amazon ship it internationally. And it works - in some cases. Depends on the leak. It does a great job of reducing the "hose sweating" on my X5 power steering and it totally stopped a diff leak on a VW Golf Mk. IV.

But I only really use it where I either cannot fix the leak properly or I want to buy myself some time before fixing the leak properly.

I use Lucas Engine Oil Stop Leak. One quart the first time I need to add (usually at 1400-1600 miles), lets me average 1200 miles per quart for the rest of my change interval of about 8000 miles.


2002 X5 3.0 359,000 miles
2014 428i 63,000 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles
1970 Firebird Under restoration

I agree. They end up plugging something. Like an oiling channel that then starves a bearing, causing it to seize.

Oil leaks are messy, but don’t harm the engine, as long as you keep the oil level up.

ATP AT-205 isn't a thick goop that plugs things up - it's a plasticizer that softens seals that have gone hard with heat and age. Seems ok in all other respects...

The Lucas additive works the same way. I've been using it for more than 150,000 miles without any issues.


2002 X5 3.0 359,000 miles
2014 428i 63,000 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird under restoration

Yes, this is my understanding too. I used AT-205 recently on another car where it was worth a try before tearing things apart to replace the leaking seals. That was the first time I have ever used a stop-leak thing on a car of mine.

Key factor for me in doing that was convincing myself that there was little downside to trying it in case it failed. No conclusion yet on my personal trial here, but it seems to have improved things.

The AT-205 is a clear, low viscosity liquid. Looks almost like water. The 8 oz bottle treats about 6 quarts - of virtually any fluid other than brake fluid.

Key point is that it works by softening the seals, to hopefully allow them to bend, comply, and tightly seal to stop the leak.

That's different than most stop leak things, which work by causing the rubber in the seals to swell up a little, filling the gaps that way. For example, my understanding is that the "high mileage" motor oils contain additives that do this swelling.

BTW, are there any other types of stop leak things? This one softens seals. Others swell seals. Anything else?

I know some coolant leak stuff actually contains particles that are supposed to get stuck as they are leaking out of the small cracks or whatever, and mechanically plug the leaks by doing that. But I've never heard of something like that for oil.

Cure -all in a can/bottle = lots of pain with little results.

All BMW engines need to be resealed approx every 100,000 MILES Cost of ownership.