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?
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.
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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?
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?
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.
Trending Topics
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.
Disconnect the hoses and flush the block and heater core too.
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.
Disconnect the hoses and flush the block and heater core too.
Originally Posted by djb383
I wonder if anyone that's neglected a cooling system that long would know how to pull spark plugs?

CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 0
From: phoenix az
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l 6 cylinder
Originally Posted by silversport00
Here's a pic after somewhat cleanedd



