fighting a losing battle

Cabikejumper · January 23rd, 2012, 09:33 AM

I've been fighting with radiator sludge for about 5-6 months. I've flushed the system three times already. How do finally stop the sludge from forming? Every once in awhile I can hear the radiator cap hissing and coolant resi is on the under side of the hood.

Any ideas on what to do?

04MidnightGT · January 23rd, 2012, 09:38 AM

Sounds like a shitty ass system... Have you replaced your t stat?

Cabikejumper · January 23rd, 2012, 09:40 AM

Yes, thermostat was replaced when I put the ford racing intake manifold on two months ago.

95mustangGT/SVT · January 23rd, 2012, 10:33 AM

I would buy a mishmito radiator and never look back. I have owned 2 of them and loved them! The price is unbeatable!

MikeJones · January 23rd, 2012, 10:41 AM

Cabike you looking for stock used cops? PM me.

Cabikejumper · January 23rd, 2012, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by 95mustangGT/SVT

I would buy a mishmito radiator and never look back. I have owned 2 of them and loved them! The price is unbeatable!

I've read on here that mishimoto radiators are junk for mustangs? I've had one in my wrx and worked well.

Even if I buy a new radiator, it'll still be in the motor, Exp tank, hoses etc.

Originally Posted by MikeJones

Cabike you looking for stock used cops? PM me.

Yes, PM'd you.

STANG34 · January 23rd, 2012, 12:41 PM

Id consider unhooking all my radiator stuff, and blowing air through the system

Everett · January 23rd, 2012, 12:55 PM

Have you got a head gasket issue. My 2v was doing the same thing. Head gasket had a tiny hole,oil was getting by and causing mud to form in my radiator. Funny thing is I had no coolant loss. Well I may have but was imperceptible because I had to flush it every few weeks.
Just pitching ideas

WickedSnake00 · January 23rd, 2012, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Everett

Have you got a head gasket issue. My 2v was doing the same thing. Head gasket had a tiny hole,oil was getting by and causing mud to form in my radiator. Funny thing is I had no coolant loss. Well I may have but was imperceptible because I had to flush it every few weeks.
Just pitching ideas

That's what I was thinking. Maybe do a coolant/oil composition test?

And just another odd one out there, how long have you had the car? I just wonder if the PO might have done something like I don't know, used the wrong coolant type at some point. I believe that can cause some precipitation of sludge like you describe.

Or you could just run a huge ass coolant filter like the diesels do.

Gotboost · January 23rd, 2012, 02:51 PM

Take your radiator out and have it serviced... They take the end tanks off and they clean each row

Cabikejumper · January 23rd, 2012, 03:27 PM

Unsure if I have a HG issue. No smoke from exhaust. Oil is not milky. I'll have to get a pressure test. Has the car about 7-8months? Po lied about everything on car so I'm
Literally clueless on everything service/mile wise.

I'll call a radiator shop and see what they think too.

Thanks

ReverendDexter · January 23rd, 2012, 03:33 PM

OP - what about the water? You say you've flushed the system multiple times... what sort of water are you putting back in there afterwards?

Cabikejumper · January 23rd, 2012, 03:39 PM

Maybe this is part of the problem:
I bought one thing of dex cool(red) coolant because I had a new bottle at home.

When I got home i realized I had a cheap brand at home(green)

I drove on distilled water with mix for 5days. 3-6hours of driving like suggested on the bottle.

I didn't add water after I added coolant. It's 50/50, I don't add water. Do I?

Woodman · January 23rd, 2012, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Cabikejumper

Maybe this is part of the problem:
I bought one thing of dex cool(red) coolant because I had a new bottle at home.

When I got home i realized I had a cheap brand at home(green)

I drove on distilled water with mix for 5days. 3-6hours of driving like suggested on the bottle.

I didn't add water after I added coolant. It's 50/50, I don't add water. Do I?

Dexcool is notorious for sludge. Get it out of your system and just use a regular 50/50 mix like Prestone without the dexcool. That dexcool stuff was for GM anyway, and id doesn't do any better cooling than plain old antifreeze.

ReverendDexter · January 23rd, 2012, 05:20 PM

^^^ Especially if you're running 50/50. Water transfers heat much more efficiently than antifreeze, it's limitation is it's boiling point. For optimal cooling, you want just enough antifreeze to keep the system from boiling over.

Cabikejumper · January 23rd, 2012, 05:31 PM

Thanks. I'll flush it again this weekend, another t stats and see what happens. Thought I read on here that dex cool is what I should be runnin

PRODUCTIONMAN · January 23rd, 2012, 06:53 PM

to original poster; just an aside. DON'T blow air with a compressor through your radiator or heater core EVER! They can't handle the pressure and you risk blowing out some of the welds or tubes. The pressure test with the right pump up tester is the way to go and usually stays under 25 psi.

Cabikejumper · January 23rd, 2012, 07:35 PM

Not going to lie. I don't know the first thing about pressure testing. A shop charges 15.00 to do it so I'll let them handle that.

I think it's due to running dex cool and mixed with 50/50 green.

When I turn the heater on I can smell pancakes/coolant.

Bullitt5566 · January 23rd, 2012, 07:59 PM

You can not mix dex cool and regular antifreeze because it will cause sludge just like you're describing. (Ask me how I know) I'd drain all of it, pull the top and bottom hoses and flush the radiator, engine block, and everthing cooling related with water. Then run a 50/50 mix of regular green anti-freeze.

WickedSnake00 · January 23rd, 2012, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Cabikejumper

I think it's due to running dex cool and mixed with 50/50 green.

That is exactly what I was asking about in my first post. Of course I attributed it to possibly the PO, but if it was you...

January 23rd, 2012, 09:38 AM	#2
04MidnightGT Hardcore Enthusiast 2004 Mustang GT 12.9 @ 111.44 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 1,262 iTrader: 0 reviews	Sounds like a shitty ass system... Have you replaced your t stat? __________________ l Custom Hotside l TurboSmart l MHS l Hallman l On3 l BBK l Hellion l SCT l Flowmaster l Steeda l AEM l Tial l HPX l Hawk l Trickflow

January 23rd, 2012, 10:41 AM	#5
MikeJones Hardcore Enthusiast 2002 Mustang GT 13.7@103 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Stoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 2,913 iTrader: 0 reviews	Cabike you looking for stock used cops? PM me. __________________ Mod6 Bigbore Kooks (parting out 2v motor) N/A 5.3 4v Build http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...ing-build.html

January 23rd, 2012, 12:41 PM	#7
STANG34 Tits Magee 4V Swap GT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 305 iTrader: 0 reviews	Id consider unhooking all my radiator stuff, and blowing air through the system __________________ Needing some COP covers for 4V Cobra Did you know if you sound out gullible slowly it rhymes with orange?

January 23rd, 2012, 12:55 PM	#8
Everett Hardcore Enthusiast 2000 gt Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Saskatoon Posts: 1,053 Blog Entries: 1 iTrader: 2 reviews	Have you got a head gasket issue. My 2v was doing the same thing. Head gasket had a tiny hole,oil was getting by and causing mud to form in my radiator. Funny thing is I had no coolant loss. Well I may have but was imperceptible because I had to flush it every few weeks. Just pitching ideas __________________ Black and White Crew Crew Member # 3 centerforce dual friction,.100 shot freeflow exhaust,70mm accufab tb,professional products plenum, tri ax,3.90s amazing how fast you can go when the road never curves .....lighting up the Canadian prairie

January 23rd, 2012, 03:33 PM	#12
ReverendDexter Priest of the Car Gods Clapped-out '90 GT 'vert ~5.5 seconds off TTOD :( Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 13,808 iTrader: 0 reviews	OP - what about the water? You say you've flushed the system multiple times... what sort of water are you putting back in there afterwards? __________________ O o /¯/______________________ \|BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!! \_\

January 23rd, 2012, 10:33 AM	#4
95mustangGT/SVT Enthusiast 2001 Gt Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: PA Posts: 915 iTrader: 0 reviews	I would buy a mishmito radiator and never look back. I have owned 2 of them and loved them! The price is unbeatable!

January 23rd, 2012, 02:51 PM	#10
Gotboost Regular Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 56 iTrader: 0 reviews	Take your radiator out and have it serviced... They take the end tanks off and they clean each row

January 23rd, 2012, 05:20 PM	#15
ReverendDexter Priest of the Car Gods Clapped-out '90 GT 'vert ~5.5 seconds off TTOD :( Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 13,808 iTrader: 0 reviews	^^^ Especially if you're running 50/50. Water transfers heat much more efficiently than antifreeze, it's limitation is it's boiling point. For optimal cooling, you want just enough antifreeze to keep the system from boiling over. __________________ O o /¯/______________________ \|BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!! \_\

January 23rd, 2012, 06:53 PM	#17
PRODUCTIONMAN Regular 2002 Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 230 iTrader: 0 reviews	to original poster; just an aside. DON'T blow air with a compressor through your radiator or heater core EVER! They can't handle the pressure and you risk blowing out some of the welds or tubes. The pressure test with the right pump up tester is the way to go and usually stays under 25 psi.

January 23rd, 2012, 07:59 PM	#19
Bullitt5566 Regular 2001 Mustang Bullitt 5566 Join Date: May 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 347 iTrader: 1 reviews	You can not mix dex cool and regular antifreeze because it will cause sludge just like you're describing. (Ask me how I know) I'd drain all of it, pull the top and bottom hoses and flush the radiator, engine block, and everthing cooling related with water. Then run a 50/50 mix of regular green anti-freeze. __________________ True Blue Bullitt 517hp 456tq Vortech \| Aftercooler \| MHS Blower Cams \| MAC LT \| Lethal Xpipe \| SLP PowerFlo \| MM RCA TQA PHB FLSC

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Ford Mustang Forum Advertisement

Threads Similar to: fighting a losing battle
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Battle of Wills (weight loss battle at work)	Ninjawafers!	The Clubhouse	4	October 15th, 2010 08:18 PM
ufc style fighting	gooberhead320	The Clubhouse	12	August 3rd, 2009 08:08 PM
Best Fighting Games	DOSBoot	Videos	3	July 15th, 2008 08:26 PM
Fighting sucks!	MustangMally97	The Clubhouse	78	April 30th, 2008 03:59 PM
OMG cats fighting outside	93hatch	The Clubhouse	4	April 7th, 2008 01:29 AM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:24 PM.
Contact Us - Modded Mustangs : Ford Mustang Forums - Privacy Statement - Top
Modded Mustangs is ©2005-2008, All Rights Reserved, And is Not Affiliated with Ford Motor Company. Forum is powered by vBulletin ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Ent. Ltd. & SEO by vBSEO 3.3.2 ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.