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Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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zachbilous
Novice
Aug 7, 2013, 3:01 PM
Post #1 of 15
(1985 views)
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Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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OK. I am new here.
I just bought a 1998 Saturn SL 1. It's a 1.9 litre, 4 cylinder.
Anyways, I was looking it over and was astonished when I took the cap off the coolant reservoir: It was like sludge in there! A dark browny/ blackish tar-like goop....
*Now, there's a sticker under the hood stating that the last radiator flush, and fill, was done approximately 5 1/2 years ago.*
This morning, I took the car for an oil change (well deserved) and a radiator flush (also well deserved). I drove around town for about an hour and when I got home I lifted the hood, took the cap off the coolant reservoir and noticed a swarm of tiny black bubbles, almost like a foam formation.
Now what's bothered me most of all are two things:
First, I am fearful that the tiny black bubbles will eventually, over time, turn the coolant sludgy and tarry again....
Second, from what I've read, this could be a head gasket issue, or a series of other mechanical problems....
I have joined this forum to ask all out there if you, or someone you know, has ever experienced this; and/ or what you suspect this issue is.
I think I would literally cry if it was a head gasket issue :-[
Thank you all for giving me the time of day,
I appreciate all input,
Zach
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 7, 2013, 3:11 PM
Post #2 of 15
(1976 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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I'm afraid this may be very serious. What you are seeing is engine oil in the coolant. This engine is very notorious for cracking heads and causing this issue so you need to get it looked into very thoroughly to determine if this is the case.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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zachbilous
Novice
Aug 7, 2013, 3:21 PM
Post #5 of 15
(1964 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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Frick!!
Ok... so hypothetically, I would be looking at having to replace a cracked head, singular? Since my car is SOHC does that effect anything here?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 7, 2013, 3:24 PM
Post #6 of 15
(1961 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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Yes, you car only has one head because it is a 4 cylinder and that would be a SOHC type.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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zachbilous
Novice
Aug 7, 2013, 3:27 PM
Post #7 of 15
(1959 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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Wow...
Would I have to replace the entire head ?
Do you recommend repairing it, if possible?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 7, 2013, 3:30 PM
Post #8 of 15
(1957 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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Yes, the entire head. It's one large piece of aluminum.
It depends on where the crack is but i don't believe repair (welding) is an option.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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zachbilous
Novice
Aug 7, 2013, 3:45 PM
Post #9 of 15
(1953 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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Awwwwe :(
I know this will be a pricey replacement.....
In your estimate what do you think a Head goes for these days, after market, whatever.
Also, in your estimate, what do you think labor would cost to replace this.
Totalling = ?
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zachbilous
Novice
Aug 7, 2013, 3:50 PM
Post #10 of 15
(1949 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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OK so I found a website in my part of Canada that sells used engines for about $300 ....
NOW, I'm wondering what labor cost would be to put something like that in my car......
Any idea ?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 7, 2013, 3:50 PM
Post #11 of 15
(1949 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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Look, you're getting way ahead of yourself. The only advice I'm giving you is to get the car diagnosed correctly. They can give you estimates for repair.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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zachbilous
Novice
Aug 7, 2013, 3:52 PM
Post #12 of 15
(1947 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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I know this is all speculation right now, but Im preparing for the worst, in case is is in fact a cracked head.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 8, 2013, 6:29 AM
Post #13 of 15
(1937 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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Quick search showed this for entire cyl head............ Surefire/Cylinder Head (0 reviews)   Part Number: 2S22 Warranty: 1 YR
Notes: In-Line head cast #21007136, 21006649. Complete head including camshaft. Intake ports have eyebrows for injectors
******
That one was $579 + $75 core deposit which you wouldn't get if really cracked. Diagnose first, choose a plan after that,
T
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jokerpetrone
New User
Sep 27, 2013, 6:40 PM
Post #14 of 15
(1885 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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You can get the head welded,would be much cheaper than a new head.just make sure its at a reputable place.have it pressure checked first you might be lucky and just have a gasket leak.also get the head milled/plainer/resurfaced as well.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 28, 2013, 12:35 AM
Post #15 of 15
(1880 views)
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Re: Tiny Black Bubbles on Surface of Coolant
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Sport - thread is close to 2 months old. No - you don't know if a head can be fixed if that at all yet on this. Pressure test doesn't conclude where the flaw is.
Please leave older threads alone and I'll lock this one up unless original poster wants it reopened,
T
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