Radiator Problem Please help

kevn83 · #1 10-11-2007, 10:20 AM

I have a 88 caprice 4.3l V6 and I just noticed that the radiator was leaking. Its been leaking for a while now and I just kept toping it off. I had to top it off a many times with just water. Then I put some Antifreeze in without mixing it... as I figured it would mix in the cooling sys. However, today on my way to work I did not have any heat... after checking the fluid it is now THICK and is White... it seems to have clogged the system...

I am getting a new radiator and will have the sys. flushed.

However, what caused the fluid to turn white? Blown head gasket? The oil level looks fine... what about tranny fluid in the coolant?

Any input would greatly be appreciated. I do not believe that the car over heated... There is no temp gauge, but there was not a overheating warning (idiot lights).

As I said I will be replacing the radiator, but I don't want to pull the heads if its possible the white stuff in the fluid is from something else.

Thank You Very Much

bobss396 · #2 10-11-2007, 12:33 PM

If the leak is not that bad and the radiator is in good condition, inquire at a local radiator shop. They can take a quick look at it and you'll gain some knowledge. Check the tranny fluid to see if that is contaminated, if so, the cooler in the radiator tank is leaking and the radiator should be replaced.

Bob

kevn83 · #3 10-11-2007, 02:05 PM

The radiator needs to be replaced... its 20yrs old and is split at one of the seams... I did a patch job on it that slowed the leaking. However, now I have a cooling sys filled will thick white goo... I would just like to know why the goo is in there, what it means ect. I will check the tranny fluid again but at first glance it looked normal.

could air in the cooling sys cause the sludge buildup?

silicon212 · #4 10-11-2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevn83

The radiator needs to be replaced... its 20yrs old and is split at one of the seams... I did a patch job on it that slowed the leaking. However, now I have a cooling sys filled will thick white goo... I would just like to know why the goo is in there, what it means ect. I will check the tranny fluid again but at first glance it looked normal.

could air in the cooling sys cause the sludge buildup?

A thick, white goo can indicate engine oil contamination. Look to see if there's water in the oil.

kevn83 · #5 10-11-2007, 04:47 PM

The oil looks fine... its at the proper level... and brownish. Not fresh but not black either. I changed the oil about 1500miles ago (3 weeks of driving for me). my main concern is that it seems that the entire sys. is clogged up, so I would think that it would take a large amount of oil for this to occur ( at least 1/2 qt.) I could be wrong and I have no idea how long the coolant was in the car before I got it.

I think I will change the radiator (flush the sys first) then try to figure out if the car needs a new head gasket (I hope that is not the case). However, I don't want to be stupid and make the problem worse. I also do not want to go through the pain of changing out the head gaskets if I don't have to. Does this seem like a good plan of attack? I think I will also change out the thermostat... Also my car is equiped with an in-line lower radiator hose heater which I think may have made it easy for my radiator to clog. I will also, take that out.

inafogg · #6 10-11-2007, 05:19 PM

IMO there is oil mixing with anti freeze.a rad shop is a good idea.hows it running ck compression look at spark plugs are they fouling??if these are ok
sounds like possible rad tank bad.you will need to replace cooling system hoses as they are also contaminated with oil

bobss396 · #7 10-12-2007, 01:49 PM

Have you pulled the tranny dipstick yet?

ruberpoliceman · #8 10-15-2007, 02:57 PM

Wow, like they said oil mixing with the coolant is what causes the pasty white fluid. if there was no heat then its possible that your radiator is clogged which would not allow proper cooling causing the engine to overheat and possibly blow a headgasket wich would be were the oil is coming from....How long did you drive it? did it overheat that you know of?

kevn83 · #9 10-15-2007, 03:45 PM

Hey,,, i flushed the radiator last night and got as much of that gunk out as I could... The oil and tranny fluid both look as they should. However, when I started the car.. the heater worked but the top rad. hose will not fill with fluid. So I am going to change the thermostat and reflush the sys. before I put the new rad. in. That white goo in the radiator likes to grab onto things and coat them. I have a feeling that the head gasket needs to be replaced. But I am going to make sure everything is cleaned out, new radiator put in, and then look for other clues to indicate the HG is blown.

I caught it on the highway... I drove it about 15 miles on the interstate... I never got a idiot light warning or steam billowing up from the car... I did take the rad. cap off at the gas station that I stopped at (which I know is a nono) and the white goo sprayed out, but it was not very hot at all. I think the thermostate is stuck shut... so it makes me think that the motor got very hot and most likely blew the gasket. Both tranny fluid and oil look normal and are at their proper levels.

kevn83 · #10 10-16-2007, 03:37 PM

Does anyone have any suggestions for the type of heas gasket to use for the 4.3L v-6. Autozone sells a Head gasket for 9.99 ea. is that sufficient? has anyone had any problems experience with this repair?

silicon212 · #11 10-16-2007, 04:16 PM

Fel-Pro Blue Stripe gaskets are the best. If you suspect a blown head gasket due to overheating, it isn't enough to replace the gaskets. The gaskets typically blow due to head warpage from heat - have the heads checked and milled if necessary. The lightweight style heads used on these engines tend to warp fairly easily.

PeteA216 · #12 10-16-2007, 04:51 PM

What about the composite vs. steel vs. copper head gaskets. In terms of material what are among the best to use?

silicon212 · #13 10-16-2007, 05:52 PM

Blue Stripes are Teflon-coated composite gaskets. Copper is overkill on anything but a race engine. Steel is factory (steel shim).

ruberpoliceman · #14 10-18-2007, 09:48 AM

Back to the radiator issue my radiator would do the same thing. Eventually it would just build up pressure and blow out water. I have yet to replace it which is actually what i plan to do in a few minutes but i have changed the head gaskets as well as the thermostat thinking one would solve the problem but neither did so now for the new radiator. i should have it on by this afternoon i'll let u know how it goes.

ruberpoliceman · #15 10-18-2007, 11:16 AM

Not 2 b a jacker but topic related. I just pulled off my radiator and put a water hose to the inlet and seemed as if everything flowed fine and yet while the car is running it will build up pressure in the lines and shoot (very violently) water out when the cap is removed, even after only running for 5 minutes. Could this be my water pump?

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