Brown Goo In Coolant
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
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From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Brown Goo In Coolant
The other day I checked my coolant level and noticed a bunch of sticky brown goo around the reservoir cap. I cleaned it out and have been checking daily to see if it comes back, but it hasn't. I had the coolant flushed out from GM last year just after I got the car. Besides new coolant, they put a can of bars leak in saying its best because of the age of the car. Would the bars leak do that? I'm going to flush the coolant to be safe, but should I be concerned? I've heard of brown sludge, but never a sticky goo. Thanks
Last edited by jimmers; Jul 5, 2006 at 05:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
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From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Originally Posted by STL94LT1
Sounds like the Barrs-Leak. If the car isn't overheating, I wouldn't be concerned.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 232
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From: Bellevue NE
On my 94, the FSM says that when you change the anti-freeze, you are supposed to add 6 of the GM stop leak pellets when you refill. Barrs has the same pellets available at the auto parts stores. This could very well be what you are seeing.
DaveZ.
DaveZ.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
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From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Originally Posted by Blownfuel1
You do now! 
I think Brown Goo is the best (G-rated) description I've ever heard for it! Smells real nice too! 
I think Brown Goo is the best (G-rated) description I've ever heard for it! Smells real nice too! I had to make it appropriate for the forum. Now when I first saw it another thing came to mind.......
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Should be Brown-POO! Seen some in mine before I did a total sytem flush and got rid of that Cr..P used a BABY WIPE got some on my finger 
you know!!!
Thanks,Matt
you know!!! Thanks,Matt
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Instructor
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From: San Diego CA
I can't believe a GM dealer would add Barrs-Leak just because of the age of the car. If that were me I'd scratch that dealer's name off my reputable dealer list. Barrs-Leak is for backyard mechanics who can't or won't repair a coolant leak correctly...I would never add it to my cooling system unless it was an emergency...and then it would get flushed out at the first opportunity. That brown slime on your radiator cap is foaming all around your engine right now, keeping the coolant from doing its job most efficiently. Ugh...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
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From: Richfield Utah
Originally Posted by CharlieLed
I can't believe a GM dealer would add Barrs-Leak just because of the age of the car. If that were me I'd scratch that dealer's name off my reputable dealer list. Barrs-Leak is for backyard mechanics who can't or won't repair a coolant leak correctly...I would never add it to my cooling system unless it was an emergency...and then it would get flushed out at the first opportunity. That brown slime on your radiator cap is foaming all around your engine right now, keeping the coolant from doing its job most efficiently. Ugh...
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 505
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From: Olympia WA
My coolant reservoir was coated in this brown goo. I tried to wash it out with soap and water with rocks for agitation since there is not way to get anything in side it. Did not touch it. Finally went to white gas and rocks for agitataion. Cut it like a charm. Washed with Dawn again and presto like new inside.
Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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I've heard GM and other manufacturers add either the brown radiator pellets or the Barr's Stop Leak at the factory.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Indianapolis IN
I did this once, I added the Brown Barrs pellets, the radiator would oooze small foam bubbles, so I back flushed the rad 2-3 times with a garden hose, then added distilled water and coolant.
Team Owner
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by z28cp
On my 94, the FSM says that when you change the anti-freeze, you are supposed to add 6 of the GM stop leak pellets when you refill. Barrs has the same pellets available at the auto parts stores. This could very well be what you are seeing.
DaveZ.
DaveZ.
Unless there is a leak in the cooling system that needs to be stopped until repairs are made, I would not use any sort of stop leak stuff added to fresh coolant.
Even if there is a leak, one old-school trick for leaks is to empty a can of pepper into the coolant. The pepper expands to fill any leaks and easily flushes out when the system is flushed.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Originally Posted by onedef92
I've heard GM and other manufacturers add either the brown radiator pellets or the Barr's Stop Leak at the factory.
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by jimmers
Thats what the guy told me at the time because I asked about them using it.
