I'm at a loss of what to do guys.

I can't get rid of this stuff. I've pulled the lower radiator hose 3 times and replaced the fluid already. I've replaced both radiator hoses. I've flushed the coolant over flow. I've replaced the water pump, and when I did, I stuck the hose in the big hole and let it flush out. Weirdly enough, it was bright green in the engine.

I've stuck the hose into one of the heater core hoses and let it blow out the other side, and it was gross, but it flushed out clean. I've even replaced the thermostat.

What do I have to do to get rid of this stuff? Is a chemical flush the only way? Am I doomed to dealing with this? Do I need to replace the radiator somehow? I removed it and shoved the hose in there and it came out clear.

Running out of things to replace. The weird thing is when I drain the radiator, green fluid comes out. When I replaced the waterpump, the block had bright green fluid in it. Where does this brown goop come from?

 

My guess, it could be oil, or it can be from mixing radiator fluid. did you flush with the heater on?
im sure others will have more ideas

 

I've only put green stuff in it since replacing the fluid the past three times. It's never had Dexcool in it since I've owned it.

I didn't flush with the heater on, I disconnected the two hoses that lead to the heater core, and shoved the hose into one of them, and let the goop come out of the other side. It was brown for a while, then came out clear

I have a hard time thinking it's oil. The (synthetic) oil is still honey colored after 4000 miles and isn't low. The truck runs great, It makes plenty of power and it's smooth.

 

Keep flushing/cleaning/adding fresh coolant. Neglected cooling systems take a while to thoroughly clean up. Seems like green coolant should be seen in the top of the rad....was the pic taken after the rad was drained but before adding fresh coolant?

 

What year/engine? Always include that when starting a post....

 

Flush,flush and flush. Looks like a coolant breakdown from neglect or mixing conventional green with OAT. I have used Cascade dishwasher detergent to clean up systems like this....works pretty well.

 

I would have replaced the radiator first. It's the most obvious culprit, no?

 

Presuming the rad is stock (it's aluminum), then there's nothing there to cause brown goop. A neglected cooling system on a cast iron motor (head/block) will cause brown goop every time.

 

+++agree+++ Best advice is change coolant every other year. The new OAT and HOAT claim to be long life antifreeze but that is the type that is causing these issues. The old conventional green silicate antifreeze would loose its freeze protection over time but it did not create the corrosive sludge that this new stuff does. That brown sludge is iron,gasket material and other materials eaten away by the coolant....a very bad situation.

 

It's a 1998, 4.0 of course, since I'm a heterosexual male.

That picture was taken right after I pulled the radiator cap.

I removed the radiator completely and hosed it out. I guess I'll keep trying to flush it.

 

+1

 

I have a Preston flush kit installed on the heater hose. I have a new radiator and still get this crap. In the summer, I usually drain the coolant and refill with clean water then whenever I think it, maybe once a month, flush again. I do this throughout the summer but it always comes back. Last year when I added antifreeze before the first frost I also added a corrosion inhibitor. I haven't checked it though to see how it's holding up.

 

When the rad cap is removed, you should see something like this. (sorry 1996, just couldn't resist. LOL)

 

yes! that's what I want it to look like!

I've decided to try out the Prestone Flush Kit, then try to clean the poop out with Cascade dishwashing soap as suggested earlier (did a few hours of research on it, I though it sounded odd, but many have done it with success)

Then maybe some simple green afterwards to make sure it wont be gross. Then drain everything, flush with distilled until I'm bored and top up with Green Stuff.

I'll post the results.

Here he is, in case anyone is wondering. 1998 4.0 AX15

 

ive heard of this...never done it but i heard it works wonders

Im fighting a similar issue...mine is not near as bad....but i can flush, than after a week its dirty....

flush, week goes by and its dirty
flush, week goes by and its dirty
and so on

ive flush about 4 times in the last 6 weeks...every time getting better but still

Im bringing my jeep to have a chemical run thru it....they also provide a vacuum that will "suck" the stuff out...instead of pushing it with water