Thick red sludge in radiator (pic included)
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Boise Idaho
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Thick red sludge in radiator (pic included)
so last fall i changed the fluid in my radiator making sure to use distilled water and prestone anti-freeze. fast forward to today.... engine over heats. im like what the hell?!? its 5 degrees outside..... limp it home uncork the radiator and this is what i find..... WHAT THE HELL!?! what would cause this?
#4
ouch
Well that looks like someone put some bars leak repair in it when you started to use the heater this winter it let it get loose and now you have that build up and the engine in now overheating 1. because its pluged up or 2. you have a leak somewhere .And a far distant 3. some one might have jammed mud in your radiator!
Trending Topics
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Boise Idaho
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
upon closer inspection there does appear to be a leak.... calling around for replacement prices for radiator now....
#11
I'd check it the valve cover for the water/oil mixture (milky stuff). How long did it sit before you checked the dip stick, its possible that the oil and water seperated. Another oil check would be to open the drain plug and drain some oil off. The water should be at the bottom if there is any.
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Boise Idaho
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Update.... Pulled radiator. no noticeable leaks. going to have it checked at shop. im just baffled by the reddish crap...
#13
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Kinda looks like the signs of a blown head gasket, but if you checked the oil and it's fine then I'm unsure. If the coolant recovery tank is filled with that same crap, it could be a blown head gasket. My buddy bought a 99 Blazer and that's how it looked in there. The coolant recovery tank had similar crap. He flushed the radiator, put fresh fluid in, changed the oil using Lucas Engine Oil Stop Leak and it held up fine.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Virginia
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6
mine was like that to, but i did a real good flush ( filled with water, ran, then drained like 10 times). and it never did it again but that was only 5 months ago.