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03 Chevy Impala 3.4 V6 coolant issues
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rellim78
New User
May 23, 2009, 1:50 PM
Post #1 of 4
(7089 views)
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03 Chevy Impala 3.4 V6 coolant issues
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Lately, my car has been getting quite warm, about 3/4 of the way up on the temperature gauge. After a few minutes of it being that high, the car will start smelling funny, like a metallic or oil burning smell through the air vents and then it will drop in temperature significantly. Today, I decided to take a look at things and see what might be the issue. First, I checked the oil, last oil change was about 1500 miles ago with a synthetic oil, and that was halfway up the hashes on the dipstick. Then I decided to check the coolant level, first in the plastic tank. That's when I noticed a thick, brownish sludge coating the inside of the tank and no coolant. Then I opened up the radiator cap, heard a squishy 'thop' sound and when I opened it, the same brown sludge on the inside of the cap and in the neck of the radiator. I scooped some of it out, and it had an oily feel and a really strong metallic smell. I replaced the cap and ran the engine for a while. I checked the lower radiator hose and it was warm, the fans for the radiator were running every few minutes or so for about 30 seconds and the upper radiator hose was cold. The temperature gauge was reading about halfway after about 10 minutes and the upper radiator hose was still cold.
I have no idea what the sludge inside the tank or the radiator is. I purchased the car used 2 years ago, so this may be pre-existing. Any ideas?
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autojoe
User
May 23, 2009, 3:26 PM
Post #2 of 4
(7075 views)
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Re: 03 Chevy Impala 3.4 V6 coolant issues
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gm had a problem with dex cool extended life anti-freeze.it would cause sludge inside the engine and also eat away engine parts.I would flush cooling system fill with water and flush and do it again until water is clear.Do a search on gm dex cool anti freeze on yahoo.I did have a good video on it when it first happened.I can email it to you if you send me your email.
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 23, 2009, 4:50 PM
Post #3 of 4
(7073 views)
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Re: 03 Chevy Impala 3.4 V6 coolant issues
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Oh, Joe; You've reopened a can of worms. Get ready to get shot at. (I agree with you whole-heartedly). Dex Cool is junk. Sludge? You bet! Keeps us in business, though. 
Loren
SW Washington
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autojoe
User
May 23, 2009, 5:48 PM
Post #4 of 4
(7068 views)
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Re: 03 Chevy Impala 3.4 V6 coolant issues
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your right loren.Its something how gm got away with murder.
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