After a couple of days at the track, my car was starting to show the dreaded signs of a leaking coolant seal: occasional starting like it was flooded, missing for a couple of seconds after starting, occasionally about 30 seconds of white smoke on startup, gurgling, etc.

I read some posts recommending the copper coolant additive, and decided to go give it a try. The guy at the store stopped me and told me he had something better, and recommended Dike. He said a lot of the NASCAR and drag racing guys use it just for preventative maintenance, just in case something happens while they're racing. He said it was a lot better than the copper stuff because it won't gum everything up, you don't have to flush the entire system multiple times, and you can drain it out again if you don't like it. (not to mention the mileage I've gotten out of the name itself... )

So far, it seems like it has helped. I still get about 3 seconds of sputtering when I start the car, but I haven't seen any more smoke at all. I've only checked the filler neck once, but it was still full (where it used to always be empty). This stuff may just be the miracle fix and it only costs $10. You may have to ask for it, since our local parts store kept it behind the counter instead of on the shelf with everything else.

I'll keep you guys updated......

 

interesting!!!

 

Damn sounds good... I'll keep that in mind..

 

hahaha, that sounds funny.... walk into a parts store and go up to the guy... can i get a dike?

 

I have been losing coolant, replaced my radiator and I still loose coolant, just not as fast, maybe half a quart a day, I park my car and stair under it for half an hour and don't see any dripping, nothing...where am I losing coolant? who the hell knows, Think I'll give the old Dike a try.

 

shhhh, poor college student, you'll ruin my elaborate joke!

Sloraxe, not to jump to conclusions, but it's possible you're engine's been eating the coolant, too. Leaking coolant seals can push extra coolant into your overflow tank, and then it'll dump out the overflow hole while you're driving. Half a quart a day is quite a lot. Does your car smoke? Anyway, I'm tellin' ya, that Dike will work for you! (see I knew you guys couldn't resist!)

You guys might want to hold off for a little while and check the replies to this thread. I fully expect at some point there will be a comment telling me how horrible of a thing I just did to my car.....

 

Haven't heard of this dike?

I am assuming it doesn't have the copper stuff in it - so, how does it work? Is it just some sort of goo / gel stuff?

 

hahahaha a dike with some goo and gel.... HAHAHAHHAA roflmao!!


/sorry, i'm not being very helpful.... i usually just read the threads as i don't know that much... i just thought that was funny...

 

Damn Bruins can never get their mind outta the gutter

 

It's just really good at plugging up holes.....fun to watch in action..........

Seriously, the guy said it formed some type of web. It's thick and teal colored in the container, but once it's poured into the coolant it doesn't appear all that thick. Weird stuff because when I was shaking the coolant to mix it up, it crackled like a coke or pop rocks. I don't think it has copper in it. Pretty cool stuff as long as it doesn't do some other damage. It's not supposed to be corrosive like the copper types supposedly can be.