This doesn't look good - swamp mud in rad

[grrlscout89FJ62]

This morning I decided to check my coolant right quick to see if it needed topping off. I pulled off the rad cap, and it was sludgey, so was the inside of the neck of the rad. I peered in the overflow resevoir, and it was full of thick green-brown mud. In fact, the lil hose that goes in there fell off the lid, cuz it was stuck in the mud.

I looked at the dipstick, and it was clean, but a bit low.

About 6 weeks ago, I had a friend drain the rad, add Stop Leak, and refill it.

As far as performance goes, it's not running hot, just slightly warmer that usual -- but tops out at the 3rd mark. It does seem to be running kind of sluggish, accelleration-wise.

Is this sludge Stop Leak, or something much worse (head gasket?). What should I do next?

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Yes, the goop is most likely the Stop Leak crap. Better to find and fix a leak then to use that stuff.

Were it mine I'd pull the rad and get it flushed and leak checked at a radiator shop. Then refill the system with fresh antifreeze. There's still gonna be Stop Leak goop in the block but a lot of it will come out in the radiator.

Then find out what was leaking and fix it (if that's why you used the Stop Leak in the first place).

Plenty of info on finding blown head gaskets on the forum...

HTH,
Nick

 

[soggy60]

Every day for next 5 or so days, drain coolant system, refill with 'just' water: ya wannt wash out the system before your heater core, radiator, etc plugs up from that stuff . . .

then, if radiator isn't leaking, intall proper anti-freeze mixture.

As others have said, if radiator is leaking; get it repaired (correctly)

Pete, hosed a radiator with that chockolate goop

 

[zcruiser]

Did it look like..... THIS ????

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

Hmm no .. much darker and green-brown. Maybe I can snap a pic tomorrow morning.

 

[zcruiser]

Ok, going for the shock factor there but you're not easily scared. I'm going through a flush 'n fill today due to a leak in the short oil cooler water hose coming off the driver's side of the water pump. Had to remove smog pump and alternator to get to it. Bought Toyota Red coolant to go back in after the flush... $14/gallon!!

 

[lunyou]

Ok, going for the shock factor there but you're not easily scared. I'm going through a flush 'n fill today due to a leak in the short oil cooler water hose coming off the driver's side of the water pump. Had to remove smog pump and alternator to get to it. Bought Toyota Red coolant to go back in after the flush... $14/gallon!!

im going to ask a stupid question.....why is toyota red so much better than prestone?

lunyou

 

[Spook50]

Ok, going for the shock factor there but you're not easily scared. I'm going through a flush 'n fill today due to a leak in the short oil cooler water hose coming off the driver's side of the water pump. Had to remove smog pump and alternator to get to it. Bought Toyota Red coolant to go back in after the flush... $14/gallon!!

Won't be long before it's cheaper than gas.

 

[brett76]

ummmm who let you out of TUT?

i would try flushing it again. it very well could be the stop leak. how much did he use?

 

[zcruiser]

im going to ask a stupid question.....why is toyota red so much better than prestone?

lunyou

Because it's more expensive, DUH!!!