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sludgy material in radiator

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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:16 AM
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Default sludgy material in radiator

Noticed a rusty looking liquid leaking from radiator side, when I opened the hood there was coolant leaking from the radiator cap, I took off the cap and noticed all this brown sludgy looking stuff in there, cleaned her out and ran her that day, come to find the next day its all dirty again, cleaning her out again now but any suggestions as to why its doing this?
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:17 AM
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Here's a pic after somewhat cleanedd

sludgy material in radiator-forumrunner_20120313_121719.jpg
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:21 AM
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Looking like your coolant is becoming contaminated. Possibly head gasket. Pull the plugs, see how they look. If it looks like its running lean, you probably have a leaky head gasket. If they look ok, flush the system out really good and see how clean it stays.
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:25 AM
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Oh missed the part where it happened again right away. Pull the plugs ASAP and take a pic for me.
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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Year/engine?

Are you using any coolant? The reason I ask is because if you are, you could have a cracked 0331 cylinder head. Not uncommon with the 00-01. That can lead to sludgy coolant.

What is the history of routine cooling system maintenance? ie: fresh coolant?
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:31 AM
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Im guessing from your name im thinking you have a 2000 model? Im into the older stuff, but im 99% sure those had the 0331(or something like that) cyl head. Those will crack if you look at them wrong. Causing combustion gases to get into the coolant, causing what you see there.
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:32 AM
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I think we were typing at the same time. Lol.
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:43 AM
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If it was leaking out the cap, the system may have been clogged with that crap. It may take a few times to get it all out.

Disconnect the hoses and flush the block and heater core too.
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by timberwolf
If it was leaking out the cap, the system may have been clogged with that crap. It may take a few times to get it all out.

Disconnect the hoses and flush the block and heater core too.
Alot easier to just pull the plugs and verify if your engine is running on anti freeze, or gasoline
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 01:05 PM
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I wonder if anyone that's neglected a cooling system that long would know how to pull spark plugs?
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
I wonder if anyone that's neglected a cooling system that long would know how to pull spark plugs?
You get to em thru the glove box! Everyone knows that! Lol.
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Trev1006

You get to em thru the glove box! Everyone knows that! Lol.
X2
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 01:51 PM
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Wait I thought the spark plugs were in the trunk
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 01:53 PM
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No, that's where you check the rear turn signal fluid!
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by silversport00
Here's a pic after somewhat cleanedd
Holy **** thats nasty how can u say that is somewhat cleaned thats so disgusting I would advice that u give it a real cleaning with a garden hose and a scrub brush that cap is horrible
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