"A/C Pro": Is it really worth trying?

[moogvo]

My dad was the KING of "Liquid Tune Up" type products. He was tossing additives into brand new cars that had no miles on them! Long story short, my mom's Ford Econoline conversion van died an untimely death after overheating and blowing head gaskets with only 40k miles on it. This was a direct result of "preventative maintenance" by adding Bars Leaks into the coolant so it wouldn't "develop a leak", Gobs of liquid engine re-build went into every car he ever owned and he couldn't resist a weekly can of "STP Oil Treatment" (Which basically turned his motor oil into superheated chewing gum).

I found a Ford Bronco II on Craigslist for $200.00 with a blown head gasket. It still ran when I got it, but not very well! I dragged it home and cracked open the heads to find this:

Notice the COMPLETELY PLUGGED water jacket passages in the head gasket below:

I love to buy cars like this. I get 'em cheap, get 'em runnin' cheap and sell 'em! All of this was caused from a $10.00 bottle of stop leak. Think about that next time you think about using it! LOL!

[Conlan Rose]

This is why the only high mileage oils that I use are meant to help remove dirt/sludge not fix seals and stop leaks. Also use a oil filter that claims to filter 99% of dirt/sludge and has a anti flow back valve.

[moogvo]

This is why the only high mileage oils that I use are meant to help remove dirt/sludge not fix seals and stop leaks. Also use a oil filter that claims to filter 99% of dirt/sludge and has a anti flow back valve.

I don't use any high mileage anything. I Use Kendall 5W 30 50/50 Synthetic blend in my truck. It has 178,000 miles. Pull the dip stick and it is a nice golden brown color. I have always had great luck just doing the proper maintenance on vehicles and have had only ONE engine blow. It was a 1974 Dodge Charger that I bought for $10.00 that had 457,000 miles on it when I got it. I added another 60,000 with VERY shoddy maintenance. I even ran cooking oil in the engine once because I didn't have any motor oil... I was a broke teenager at the time. LOL! I ran the crap out of it. It finally spun a bearing... Best ten bux I ever spent! I gave the man a 5, 5 ones, a ride home and he gave me the keys and title.

[Conlan Rose]

I plan to go back to reg oil once I feel I cleaned out as much of the junk that I can.

[Big_Mike]

Just ask the kid who was driving around with ZERO brake pad on his front right wheel (eating into the caliper and rotor) and told me "Are you SURE I need a brake job? I can still stop."

Yeah buddy. Just like you still have money in the bank, because you've got checks in your book. LOL

-Skippy.

LOL I love the sarcasm!! Haha that was great!! But that TRULY is how some people think!

Good comments everyone else!!! Thanks for the good info. I thought I had the answer to my question before I asked it, but I just wanted to make sure by hearing (well actually reading in this form of communication ) other people's thoughts and experiences.

[Conlan Rose]

How can some one not realize their brakes are out when mine went out you could feel it almost through the pedal and you can hear the metal on metal its just like are people really that clueless.