Cooling systems 30 www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2025 ‘Liquid tool’ testing gets seal of approval K-Seal International’s Mike Schlup on a mini marvel that’s shaken up the market for fixing cooling system problems With motorists wanting affordable workshop fixes, liquid tools are increasingly important. K-Seal Permanent Coolant Leak Repair, from Kalimex, is a multi-million bestseller with motor factors and technicians. Not without good reason. But whatever product you choose, make sure you can trust that it works and that it’s safe. Motorists can’t ignore repairs in the car cooling system given its importance in cooling the engine to prevent overheating and costly damage. There are many common problems with cooling systems. For example, leaky radiator hoses will lead to coolant loss and an overheating engine. Ignore this problem and the damage can rapidly become serious, expensive and potentially terminal for the engine. Radiator leaks are the most common. Even the slightest damage to the radiator affects its ability to cool down the engine, and it’s critical that the problem is sorted quickly. Leaks, however, are not the only problem. If the coolant has not been checked or topped up properly, the radiator, hoses and hose connections will become clogged and begin to corrode. Over time, such corrosion will result in restricted coolant flow and eventually small holes or ‘pinhole leaks’ in the radiator. Factors and workshops realise that, sometimes, the cost of a mechanical repair is either unaffordable for the motorist or not worth the value of the vehicle. That’s where a tried and tested coolant leak repair like K-Seal comes in. It has been independently tested in the laboratory and K-Seal products will permanently fix most leaks in the cooling system — getting the motorist back on the road fast and with minimal outlay. When we launched K-Seal, 22 years ago, we were confident we had a formula that would resonate with technicians and motor factors. It’s easy to use. You shake the bottle and pour in where you normally add coolant. Within one to three minutes, it seals small holes and cracks in the radiator, block, and head gasket. Motor factors especially were quick to see the benefits, because unlike similar products on their shelves, K-Seal mixes with all types of anti-freeze. No draining or flushing of the cooling system is needed and it can be used for leaks in the water pump casing, heater core and freeze plugs. It’s the ultimate head gasket repair, block, head sealer and radiator stop leak — all in one bottle. Within one year, it was adopted by the professional technician, and we’ve not looked back since. Thirteen million bottles later, K-Seal is going strong around the globe. In the US it’s now the No.1 one bestseller in a highly contested market. Any product selling in big numbers will attract competitors and K-Seal is no exception, so we had to up our game with independent authentication of its ability to seal. In 2011, we approached Brighton University Engineering Division in the UK, which has a first-class reputation for partnering leading automotive brands. We identified an internationally recognised test standard as a benchmark to measure K-Seal’s performance against that of competitor products. The ‘ASTM D-3147 standard test method for testing stop-leak additives for engine coolants’ describes the test equipment and procedures for demonstrating that products are effective and safe. Test data showed that K-Seal is capable of sealing 0.025in (0.635mm) diameter holes and 0.010in (0.254mm) wide by 0.5in (12.7mm) long slots satisfactorily, in accordance with the ASTM D3147 test method. Further testing demonstrated K-Seal sealed the leaks in test conditions 100% of the time. With the test standard we wanted to prove that the stop-leak product would not block the cooling system. It must pass through a 0.85mm sieve without clogging or gumming the gaps. K-Seal passed those tests, demonstrating it was safe to use with all types of water-cooled engine. On the back of this, K-Seal became a leading player globally for coolant leak repairs. With motorists keen to keep their cars in good repair, K-Seal has never been more important as a trade trusted, liquid tool. www.kseal.com / info@kseal.com
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