98 Regal Dex Cool question

[patriot777]

I did some work on the cooling system and had the dex cool and non-dex cool UV dye flushed out that I used to detect leaks. After the flush I opened the radiator cap and saw some green stuff in there indicating they didn't get it all out. Does contanimating dex cool with green stuff harm your car or just shorten your coolants life to 36,000 miles? Should I bring it back there and have them reflush it?

Part two: I couldnt flush it myself because i gave the radiator drain plug about half a turn and nothing would come out and finally the drain plug snapped. My coolant had gotten sludgy so I assume it was clogged. Is it hard to get the drain plug out or was I supposed to give it more than half a turn...I put so much pressure on it part of the nob broke off.

Finally, whats the best course of action for resolving the sludge issue other than regular flushes...coolant flush chemicals?
Thanks in advance.

[GTP Dad]

To answer part of your question, if you use regular antifreeze with the dex you will have issues. If you use the Prestone or other type of extended life antifreeze that is compatible then you won't have any problems.

As for keeping the sludge out change from dex cool to another brand of long life antifreeze and you shouldn't have any issues with the sludge. As for the drain plug I have never dealt with one in the way you describe so I can't give you any good advice.

[Scrapper]

i gree with dad it will cause a sludge now you have that in heater core probably you can buy a flush kit for that and if it don't get sludge all out you'll have to pull rad have it cleaned or boild out. to your rad plug i'd spray some pb blaster to spray on rad plug and try to keep moving back and forth see if will relase it if you still can get ahold of the plug now?

good luck..........

[maxwedge]

Make sure to replace the troublesome radiator cap also.

[Tech II]

Well, I would be a little worried about that drain.....it might pop out on it's own.....was the plug plastic or metal? If plastic, you rotate it counter clockwise, AND, you have to pull it outward at the same time.....there is a little pin in the plug that follows a groove as you pull it out....

As for coolant, you are not suppose to mix the green with the dexcool......however, if you get MOST of the dexcool out you can add green coolant to the system, but you have to change it 2yr/24k, whichever comes first....

The main reason for orange sludge, is a leak......when an air pocket is formed, it will cause the dexcool to react with it, and to sludge up.....