Mechanics: What's your take, Are those stop oil leak additives okay to use as a temporary fix (Dodge)?

I have a main oil seal leak on my 98 Dodge Caravan. I would have it repaired, just have a new engine put in, or buy a new car, but I don't have the money right now for any of those options. I have never liked the idea of using additives but if it could put off the inevitable a while longer, do I have anything to lose? I have two people in my life telling me two different things. My dad doesn't believe in using additives and says they cause more harm than good. The other person says some additives are actually good and don't harm anything. They said Lucas was a very good one, as well as a couple others.


What's your take?Mechanics: What's your take, Are those stop oil leak additives okay to use as a temporary fix (Dodge)?
Using some additives that say they will swell-up seals will do that. But, that makes them less resistant to stresses, and may fail faster than without using the additive.Mechanics: What's your take, Are those stop oil leak additives okay to use as a temporary fix (Dodge)?
Use the additive, all it is is oil with an additive that makes the dried out hardened rubber seal absorb the oil and expand, creating a seal again. when I was a mechanic we use to use brake fluid for the rear main seal leaks. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, it depends how bad the seal is. put it in and don't tell Dad you did it just to stop him from nagging :)
Most modern motor oils already have seal conditioners in them. If your rear main seal is leaking, it probably needs replaced. Most leaks, if they are very noticable, will not respond to stop leaks, and you are throwing your money away.
for a temporary fix additives are very good. lucas is one of the best. although if the seal is very damaged it may not be enough to stop the leak. but i believe in additives. they wouldnt make the product if it did more damage.
please don't poison your car by additives.


if they are going to stop the leakage then they are going to break your engine.shocked!!!


the oil which we use in cars,having the gravity 'sea 20-50' which is best gravity(thickness of oil) for our engine to perform in manner.but stop oil having a very high gravity which would cause the parts of the engine to work under hard climate,due to high gravity the break horse power increases and causes piston rings to go down.


in my opinion you should change the oil seal,prevent yourself from further expenses .


select your self what to do.