Motorcycle Repair: Motorcycle Radiator Leak, suzuki v strom, volume coolant

Question
I have an 02 Suzuki V-Strom. I have a small amount of radiator fluid leaking from the weep hole each time I ride.  The amount leaking has not diminished the fluid level in 6 months of riding but it does leave a mess on the engine case. In talking with others who own bikes with the same engine type, I understand this is a common occurence. I don't beleive this is serious - cosmetic only. It has been suggested that I try a coolant treatment such as Bar's Leak Stop to shore up the leak in the mech. seal in the water pump.

What do you think of these types of products?  Could these products damage other components of the cooling system?  

Answer
Hi Chris,

I recommend finding another solution to the coolant leak. Have you ever seen a cooling system after Bars Leak and other similar products were used? It collects on every system component. I suspect it affects the effectiveness of the system such as: insulating sensors by coating them resulting with impaired temperature function, and loading up the impeller blades resulting with less volume coolant circulation.

It seals the leaks, right?

I would use such products to prevent being stranded with no other options. You don't want any kind of contamination in the system. The system is designed to be air free, too. Air lowers the boiling temperature of coolant and may cause coolant circulation to cease if air becomes trapped around the water pump impeller.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively