Greenish/Brown Sludge...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: Andover MA
Cruise-In I Veteran
Greenish/Brown Sludge...
My '98 had about 28,000 miles on it when I had the coolant changed. Since then I noticed a greenish/brown sludge in the coolant resevoir (I think it was there before). I was unable to clean out the resevoir due to the baffles inside. I replaced it with a new one a few weeks ago and noticed that this crap is starting to accumulate again. :mad
What do I need to do to get rid of this stuff for good? Is there some additive that I can add to dissolve it?
Thanks!
What do I need to do to get rid of this stuff for good? Is there some additive that I can add to dissolve it?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 1,866
From: Hot Springs AR
Re: Greenish/Brown Sludge... (mshipon)
GREEN???:eek: Please, oh please tell me that whoever changed out the coolant went back with DexCool, and not the old green coolant. They are NOT compatible.
If they put the old style stuff in, then you're going to have to completely flush out the system and refill with DexCool.
I sure hope I'm wrong.
Mike
If they put the old style stuff in, then you're going to have to completely flush out the system and refill with DexCool.
I sure hope I'm wrong.
Mike
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Greenish/Brown Sludge... (VetteDrmr)
It sure sounds like that is the problem. Maybe you can get the shop to correct the mistake. I would make sure the system is totally flushed with water and any GM approved cleaning solution if there is one. Then refill with Dexcool.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: Andover MA
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Greenish/Brown Sludge... (VetteDrmr)
GREEN???:eek: Please, oh please tell me that whoever changed out the coolant went back with DexCool, and not the old green coolant. They are NOT compatible.
If they put the old style stuff in, then you're going to have to completely flush out the system and refill with DexCool.
I sure hope I'm wrong.
Mike
If they put the old style stuff in, then you're going to have to completely flush out the system and refill with DexCool.
I sure hope I'm wrong.
Mike
Thanks again!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
From: "In a van down by the river" CO
Re: Greenish/Brown Sludge... (mshipon)
Any competent shop can do a good "flush'n'fill", and no it's not expensive. If you want to cure the problem, have this done and refilled, again, w/ the Dexcool.
CHICAGO CREW !
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 17,591
Likes: 93
From: We are living in a Bazzaro World everything is upside down half ass backwards !
CI 4-5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08 & '12
Re: Greenish/Brown Sludge... (lowdowndirty)
some body mixed antifreeze not good ! :eek: :eek:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Greenish/Brown Sludge... (mshipon)
I would check coolant level, make sure it's topped up and no leaks. May be time for a new cap. It's very important with DexCool that the level is maintained at the correct level and there are no leaks.
I would have a competant shop flush and clean the system and replace with new. They should not use the sealing tablets or any sealant additive.
Good catch, you have perhaps saved yourself a bigger problem.
Pete
I would have a competant shop flush and clean the system and replace with new. They should not use the sealing tablets or any sealant additive.
Good catch, you have perhaps saved yourself a bigger problem.
Pete
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 1,866
From: Hot Springs AR
Re: Greenish/Brown Sludge... (mshipon)
I've only owned the car for a year, but the dealership changed with red dexcool. I have no idea what was done before I bought the car though. Is a complete flush an expensive job? Can I do it myself? Where can I get instructions?
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Drain all the old stuff out, and fill with water. Run the engine long enough to make sure the system is full, then go drive it until you get up to operating temps (190-200). By driving it you vary the rpm (and therefore the fluid flow rate through the system) which will do a better job than just letting the engine idle. Then let it cool down and drain that out.
You might even have to do that a few times until the drained water looks relatively clean. Once it is, then refill with 50% DexCool and distilled water. You can get it at any supermarket or Wal Mart. NOT spring water or anything else but DISTILLED water. Otherwise all the minerals in the spring or tap water will plate out into the cooling system. (ask me how I know :rolleyes: )
Oh, BTW, the radiator drain doesn't screw out, just turns about 90 degrees and pulls out.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike