So, I just noticed some sludge-like substance in my coolant overflow tank. I can't tell if there is any in the actual radiator, tho. It doesn't smell like oil, nor is there any "sheen" floating atop the coolant as if it were oil. Any thoughts as to what this could be? And how I can correct it?
Lemme know if you need any further info to help diagnose this, and I'll try to provide as much more as I can.
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i'm a peripheral visionary. i can see into the future, but way off to the side.
Yeah, but that shouldn't make a bad difference. The egr system lowers combustion temp after a certain point is reached, thats how it works.... I dunno....
Again, what color is the coolant. Pop the radiator cap off and start it up.
i believe late last year or early this year… i'll have to look, as i keep all that sorta info written down. i thought about that also (that i may need a flush) but i think i just had that done fairly recently. like i said, i'll look and see… then get back to ya.
Quote from: Bad Venge
Brownish mud looking Calcium/lime build up
no, i don't think it was brownish, kinda hard to tell tho. it appeared more black than brown.
Quote from: '98Lxi
Mine had that too the last time I got it tuned up... I'll find out from the mechanic what it was... Said it can really hurt gas mileage.
if you do find out what it is, please let me know. also, if it can hurt your gas mileage, that my explain why mine has been fairly crummy lately.
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i'm a peripheral visionary. i can see into the future, but way off to the side.
also, if i wipe my finger on the seal of the radiator cap, i get some black substance—very much like that in the overflow tank, just no where near as thick. that may just be grime of some sort tho… donno.
this doesn't seem to have affected my car's performance however. i'm still having problems with my car sporatically shutting off—for those of you that may remember. could this be the culprit? every since my CEL finally decided to stay on, my car will sometimes (very rarely tho) act really sluggish. as in, i'll have the gas pedal 1/2 to the floor b4 it decides to start really moving. but that's a whole other thread—one in which i've already started looooong ago. hopefully, i'll be able to update it with some good news one day
*sidenote: my car has been to 3 diff mechanics and neither of them can figure out why it's sporatcially shutting off. the last one i took it to read the CEL code(s)—it finally came on and stayed on—and has still yet to figure out what the dealio is. upon checking the mass air flow sensor (which is one of the codes) and wires to it and all, they could find nothing wrong. he, and another mechanic, said their best educated guess would have to be the computer is going out. just some fyi.
i'll provide more info on the overflow sludge as i come across it. thanks for all the help so far.
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i'm a peripheral visionary. i can see into the future, but way off to the side.
I would say def replace BOTH your management units.
which units are u referring to? i'm not 100% sure on that, sorry. (i've already replaced the TPS, IAC, and PVC valve attempting to fix this problem.)
also, i think i know what that sludge is. upon further inspection today, i noticed it appears to be the hose has deteriorated and/or melted. has this ever happened to anyone? is this a common problem? i think i'll be picking up a new hose and some coolant… then, i'll clean out the overflow tank as best i can and replenish what coolant i end up losing in the process. any thoughts on that? if someone doesn't think that's a good idea, please let me know as i'll prob try to do that tomorrow.
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i'm a peripheral visionary. i can see into the future, but way off to the side.
just thought i'd let er'one here, that may care, know i cleaned out the tank and i think all my problem was was the hose… like i mentioned b4. however, there was some nasty looking "gunk" settled at the bottom of the tank. kinda unexpected, but made me ponder… should this tank be cleaned on a regular basis? like maybe once a year or so? any thoughts, opinions? either way, i think i'm gonna make it a point to try to remember to clean it annually.
…yes, that's annually lol
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i'm a peripheral visionary. i can see into the future, but way off to the side.
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Calcium/lime build up 
