FAQ

Bar's Bugs Products FAQ

Will Bar's Bugs windscreen wash clog my water jets?

Bar’s Bugs will not clog your water jets. In-regard to your washer jets it is very common for these to clog over time and this is the result of the lime content found in normal tap water. Over time there will be a natural build-up of limescale which will eventually affect the sprayers. This is easily fixed by applying a needle into the tip of the jets to break free the lime scale build-up.

What happens if I accidently put Bar's Bugs in my radiator fluid resevoir?

Bar's Bugs Concentrate shouldn’t cause any damage to your radiator/cooling system. We’d definitely recommend having a radiator flush to get it out of the system as soon as you can.

There is a stubborn film build up on areas not swept by the wiper blades, it is particularly bad where the surplus cleaner runs off at the resting spot of the wipers.

To remove these mineral deposits, we'd recommend to use Bar's Bugs Glass Cleaner. It’s the best glass cleaner we know of, and will remove the deposits/film on the un-wiped section of your windscreen.

How much windscreen cleaner should I use?

Please check your purchased Bar’s Bugs bottle to confirm the correct concentrate required and then top your windscreen reservoir with water. Pre-mix does not require additional water.

Is Bar’s Bugs windscreen cleaner safe on all paint protection?

Bar’s Bugs even in its most concentrated form won't damage your paintwork, rubber blades or glass. The product is non-acidic, should you see slight residue please be assured that it washes off easily and does not leave marks.

Is Bar’s Bugs windscreen cleaner causing white smear marks?

The product in concentrated form does not have any white residue which could cause marks. It is possible the white marks are being caused by water which is not clean or has a high lime content being used to dilute the product.

What is webbing effect?

Glass appears to the naked eye to be smooth however it is not. Pollutants in the air especially exhaust fumes tend to not only settle on the surface but also penetrate into the glass. If you only surface clean the glass (in other words clean the high spots) you can end up with a webbing effect (or streaking). Bar's Bugs is formulated to deep clean the glass which brings the pollutants to the surface so they can be wiped away.

Is Bar’s Bugs windscreen cleaner just for cars?

No, it can be used for a whole range of commercial vehicles as well as helicopters / light aircrafts, motorbikes and perspex.

Are Bar’s Bugs water repellent products safe on tinted windows?

Absolutely, yes!

Why is Windscreen Cleaner with Repellent making my windshield streaky?

There are many reasons why your windscreen may be streaky; age hardening of the wiper blades, damaged wiper blades, inadequate detergent in the windscreen washer container, a change in the wiper arm characteristics, screen contamination, etc. As there can be many different causes of a streaky windscreen we have compiled a list of different things to try to remedy the situation; Replace your wiper blades, this should be done every 6-12 months. Check the wiper arm attack angle. Check wiper arm spring pressure. Clean wiper blade squeegees. Deep clean the screen glass with undiluted original Bars Bug’s Windscreen Cleaner

FAQ

Bar's Leaks Stop Leak Products FAQ

After adding Bar's Leaks, new coolant/water mix looks thick, white and oily.

In Bar's Leaks we use a naphthenic based soluble oil to help control Rust & Scale and when added to the cooling system will turn the water a milky white colour. The Rhizex particles in the product have the ability to soak up and carry 5 times their weight in soluble oil and as they circulate through the system the gentle wiping and rubbing action picks up any small deposits of oil from the sides of the system and redeposit it in the water. This continuous action keeps the coolant emulsified and it is the milky water that holds any rust and scale in suspension, so when the system is drained all the muck and scum is flushed out.

My car does not have a radiator cap, where do I put the Stop Leak?

You will have a reservoir where the coolant goes, put the product in there, top up the reservoir with water (to the maximum line) and keep the car running for half an hour. The heat will help disperse the product through the cooling system.

Will Stop Leaks work in the new extended life antifreeze?

Yes, Bar’s Leaks is compatible with both conventional green (silicate-based) and extended life red/orange or yellow (OAT) antifreeze.

Can Stop Leaks be installed in existing antifreeze?

Yes, this product is specifically designed to be directly added to the cooling system without having to flush out the antifreeze.

Can Stop Leaks be used on a vehicle with intercooler?

Bar’s Leaks will be fine to use, the only condition being that the system should be clean.

Keep the product in or flush it out?

The pellets in the Bar’s Leaks Stop Leak are the active ingredient and the oil is the conditioning agent. The Stop Leak should remain in the cooling system as it also acts as a rust and corrosion inhibitor protecting your system. We recommend that the cooling system should be flushed regularly as per the owner's manual hence our instructions that the cooling system should be drained and re-treated every 12,000 kms or 6 months. Coolant should be added to the system.

Draining the radiator?

The instructions to drain the radiator are for those who do not know what the radiator contains or the state of it, in the case of a second-hand vehicle. If you are confident that the radiator contains a good coolant, there is no need to drain it. When coolant has been drained you need to keep an eye on fluid levels as air pockets are created. Once the water enters the air disperses so you may need to top up a couple of times to get the air out.

Will Bar’s Leaks Stop Leak block my radiator cores or thermostat?

Bar’s Leaks Stop Leak is not capable of blocking the radiator core or other passageways within the cooling system. The particles in Bar’s Leaks are milled to 8 thousandths of an inch, and when immersed in water completely dissolve. This enables the product to circulate through the tubing in a normal radiator which is approximately 25 thousandths of an inch to permanently seal leaks in plastic, aluminium and metal radiators, heater cores, blocks, heads, gaskets and freeze plugs. In addition, it inhibits the formation of rust and scale, neutralizes pH imbalance, controls electrolysis, lubricates water pumps and seals internal, external and coolant-to-oil leaks.

Can it be used in a non-pressurized system?

Bar’s Leaks Stop Leak is okay to use providing the system is clean. Thermosyphon cooling system would need to break down the pellets first before adding to the system. This will allow them to circulate through the system-locate and seal the leak. The best way is to tip the Bar’s Leaks into a bucket add about a litre boiling water and give it a good stir (this simulates the action of a water pump in the modern car). Once the pellets have broken down to fine particle (I would leave it to soak overnight) add the contents into the system (you may have to drain some of the coolant out of the system first) and drive as normal.

Why is the solution lumpy?

Bar's Leaks is a pelletized product; therefore there is no reason to be concerned. A Bar's Leaks 340g bottle contains 65g of Rhizex pellets which is the active stop leak component.

How long does it take for the Bar’s Leaks to work?

We recommend you drive/idle vehicle for 15 to 20 minutes. In most cases the leak will be sealed within this amount of time. If the leak is not sealed, a second application maybe required. Note: If using Bar’s Leaks to stop heater core leaks, make sure you turn your heater control to HOT. Some vehicles have a valve that controls coolant flow through the core.

Can I use Bar’s Leaks to fix my head gasket?

We currently don’t supply a product called Head Gasket Repairer in Australia or New Zealand. Depending on the severity of the blown head gasket, the Bar’s Leaks Stop leak could help reduce the effects of a blown head gasket. Bar’s Leaks Stop Leaks seals internal, external and coolant-to-oil leaks. It is specially formulated to seal larger leaks better than other stop leak products. Works safely and effectively on plastic, aluminium and metal radiators, heater cores, blocks, heads, gaskets and freeze plugs. Lubricates water pump seal and inhibits the formation of rust and scale. Bar's Leaks Radiator Stop Leak is compatible with ALL good quality brands of antifreeze for most vehicles’ leaks stop in only a few minutes.

What are the dosage recommendations?

Use the large bottle BL340 for 6, 8 and 10-cylinder, gas or diesel engines. For 4-cylinder engines, use the small bottle BL150 liquid and pellets. BL340 Treats 15-34L systems.

Does Bar’s Leaks fix a leak in the thermostat

Yes the thermostat is part of the cooling system.

Is Bar’s Leaks Stop Leak the correct product to use for a leaking head gasket?

Yes.

Are any of AU Bar’s Leaks products suitable to assist with an oil leak?

If it’s a head gasket leak, or any other leak involving the coolant, then our stop leak can help. If it is just an oil seal leak, then we don’t have anything that can help. Bar’s Leaks Australia don’t make any stop leak that you add directly to the engines oil.

Can Bar’s Leaks stop leak stop a leak in the auto transmission of a vehicle?

No, our stop leak is only designed for radiators.

Do Bar’s Leaks Australia offer various products like Head Seal, Head gasket fix, Head gasket repair

No. Bar’s Leaks Australia has only ever made one stop leak product since 1948. Bar’s Leaks USA and Bar’s Leaks Australia are two completely different independent entities. (Bar’s Leaks USA now owned by Rislone) Bar’s Leaks USA make the Head Seal, Head gasket fix, Head gasket repair. Bar’s Leaks Australia only make Stop Leak. The Stop Leak product we make in Australia can seal any leak within the cooling system, either internal or external.