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how much dexcool sludge is too much
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TheGrinder(ofgears)
User
Feb 6, 2021, 8:30 PM
Post #1 of 6
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how much dexcool sludge is too much
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Went to go look at a car to buy and I was put off by the residue of Dexcool sludge in the radiator. I stopped the inspection right there, but am I being too quick to condemn? I mean, it's not caked all over, but I'm imagining how small those passageways are in the heater core and I don't want to be replacing that. I'm also wondering if this is indicates enough to cause hot spots in the engine block, etc. Please see picture:
this is in a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix base model with the 3.8 and 220k or so miles
edit: yes, there's green coolant in there now. owner says he flushed out all the dex and replace with green when he did the water pump 10k miles ago.
(This post was edited by TheGrinder(ofgears) on Feb 6, 2021, 8:35 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 7, 2021, 12:13 AM
Post #2 of 6
(2927 views)
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Re: how much dexcool sludge is too much
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? 228K on it: Think about that cared for or not IMO about enough for a 3.8 and a 2007 that might be made in 2006 check driver's door panel for month and year it was made.
Cooling systems, Dexcool and the like? Early lots of rumors it was the cause of destruction in hindsight was probably neglect I think said good for 5 years would be true if nothing ever leaked or went wrong. None of it wants loss of pressure everything runs borderline boiling of water so lack of pressure also can mean it sucks back air when cooling down then the problems begin quickly.
What's in the block? Good question. You know junk will be at bottom of water jackets isn't really going to flush out well or much at all. Some blocks have plugs on sides low and center you can get all coolant out. Look and see if it has them IDK one to another which does or doesn't most will be plugged up now if the real things and you just poke at the sludge it comes rushing out. That or remove freeze plug that's easy? Most are fussy so think hard about that too.
If this is cheap enough and runs well, good heat is a strong clue I'd just do a routine flush and then pressure test it BEFORE PURCHASE but at your expense it may make it leak or not but put back the Dexcool and a new pressure cap at least.
Some radiators AYOR around fans, engine off real quick feel for uneven hot and cool spots that row is already clogged it's cooler out for 90% of the world's cars no so apt to overheat now just for that. It appears it has a time or two. Once is too much on most anything.
It's a gamble for you just add up risk vs the bargain (should be dirt cheap with those miles) how much you can get out of it. It has to have good heat now or I'd pass but always up to you and seller to figure out.
As always do the checking pre-purchase with owner's permission at your expense if not allowed that means pass now and keep looking,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 7, 2021, 5:47 AM
Post #3 of 6
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Re: how much dexcool sludge is too much
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That is NOT Dexcool sludge.
That is rust due to the previous owner using water instead of coolant in the system.
That will be near impossible to completely flush out as it will keep coming back.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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TheGrinder(ofgears)
User
Feb 7, 2021, 12:49 PM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: how much dexcool sludge is too much
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if you look closely at the picture, the brown stuff forms a kind of fibrous film, almost like a vinegar mother, that sort of peels away in some areas. and the film is formed on the plastic parts the same as the metal parts. can rust do that?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 7, 2021, 1:52 PM
Post #5 of 6
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Re: how much dexcool sludge is too much
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Yep
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 7, 2021, 2:05 PM
Post #6 of 6
(2880 views)
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Re: how much dexcool sludge is too much
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It's rust at HT said can only be water only use. What you think is sludge is probably sealer to solve it and never does usually causes more problems.
Your call try to put it all back to correct or give up but damage has been done the extent will take time to show all or how much,
T
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