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GinaB65
New User
Sep 19, 2008, 7:22 AM
Post #1 of 5
(3669 views)
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Sludge in Radiator
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I just bought a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L engine, auto, 2wd. It has a lot of miles 199900. One morning I decided to check the radiator and found a thick greasy sludge about a half inch thick congealed around the opening of the radiator. Upon later inspection found it in the coolant reservoir too. The car does not overheat and runs great. I called the used car dealer and he insisted they had run a pressure test on it before selling it and he did not believe it is the head gasket. I haven't seen any more build up since I cleaned out the sludge. My husband is going to flush the system today and see if anything shows up again. Any ideas as to what it could be if or if not a head gasket? I've attached a pic of the radiator cap after I had cleaned the rest up so you can see what the oily sludge looks like.
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 19, 2008, 4:38 PM
Post #2 of 5
(3663 views)
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Re: Sludge in Radiator
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There are a few things that may have caused this sludge build up and no sludge in the rad, doesn’t always mean a head gasket.
During the life of this vehicle someone may have added some form of coolant conditioner, rad stop leak or possibly the wrong type of coolant. All of which may have caused a chemical reaction and the sludge?
Some of the long-life types of coolant that was used as the factory fill, didn’t have the long life that was predicted by the engineers. Some of that stuff would start to break down after a number of miles and begin to separate and make the coolant look like somebody crapped in the rad. Man they would have to have good aim now wouldn’t they? LOL
So I’m thinking you and your husband are doing the right thing by flushing the system, filling it with fresh coolant and then monitor the system.
As for what type of coolant I would use the plain old (green) glycol.
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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GinaB65
New User
Sep 19, 2008, 5:15 PM
Post #3 of 5
(3657 views)
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Re: Sludge in Radiator
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Pheeeeeew! Am I glad to hear that! Thanks for you help DanD. :)
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Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 20, 2008, 12:43 PM
Post #4 of 5
(3646 views)
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Re: Sludge in Radiator
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LOL.....Thanks for that visual Dan.....Better make sure you wear the nitrile gloves for sure now when opening a radiator!
How does that story go...
"What was wrong with my vehicle ?"
"Just crap in the radiator"
"Ok,How often do I have to do that?"
Jim
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 20, 2008, 2:45 PM
Post #5 of 5
(3642 views)
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Re: Sludge in Radiator
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Kind of paints a picture doesn't it.
LOL
Canadian "EH"
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