What is this sludge......

[Mohi]

I happened to pop my radiator cap as a regular check for water level and found this sludge in there and then same in the coolant dipstick.....

After going thru the threads it looks like oil in the radiator...but what you guys think from the color ....?
Is this from the head gaskit or from the manifold ....
I hope its not too big ...
are there anyways i can diagnose with it ,before the mech open the whole block to find out...
Like from the colour....its light brown in the radiator but brown in the coolant dipstick

The car runs perfect ... I do 100ks every day from my home to job and the temp doesnt go up....Attachment 122672Attachment 122673Attachment 122674

[Dr HaxZaw]

i had something simliar that was one of the grease pellets holden put in the system... was a bit more white i think though

[Mohi]

grease pellets

Hmmm,,, .....?
What do u mean by that.
and Do ypu reckon should i get all the stuff flushed and fill up with new before i take it to mech....

[WogBoyz]

Hmmm,,, .....?
What do u mean by that.
and Do ypu reckon should i get all the stuff flushed and fill up with new before i take it to mech....

Holden put these pellet things in with the coolant and that suposed to help lubricate the water pump and stop corrosion i think, and yes id flush all the crap out and re fill it with all brand new water and coolant and see if it comes back again

[VYMAD]

If you're taking it to the mechanic, then leave it as it is so he can see it for himself. Also, to check the head and manifold and do any work on them you may lose coolant, so it would be a waste replacing it now IMO.

[Mohi]

Hmm,,.... I hope its those grease pallets.....
Will try to get a comprassion test for the gaskit ....tommorow
Anything you guys think , i should also look for ....

[VYMAD]

Is there any milky substance in the oil?

[Mohi]

shud i look in Engine or Tranny oil

[wana s' charge stock vt]

mine looked pretty similar when my lim gaskets were leaking. wasnt quite as bad but very similar.. was un noticeable driving, idling, and only lost a tiny bit of water..

plus they're ppretty common to leak as well..

[Mohi]

Is there any milky substance in the oil?

The engine oil look clean (golden) ...Attachment 122676Attachment 122677

[Mohi]

mine looked pretty similar when my lim gaskets were leaking. wasnt quite as bad but very similar..

So was that a expensive fix or not.... how much coin u had to shed to get it fixed

[VYMAD]

The engine oil look clean (golden) ...Attachment 122676Attachment 122677

Well that's a good sign, it may not be your head/head gasket.

[WogBoyz]

The engine oil look clean (golden) ...Attachment 122676Attachment 122677

How old is that oil? looks brand new! lol very nice indeed, thats a good sign

[Mohi]

Car was serviced around 600ks ago.... got booked in for thursday ,for the inspection

[wana s' charge stock vt]

So was that a expensive fix or not.... how much coin u had to shed to get it fixed

mace sells the metal lim gaskets for $110 i think but changed it myself. they shit all over the stock plastic'y ones and are re useable...
and its pretty simple to change(depending). have a search on here for a 'how to thread' and see whats involved in changing it first.

also there's prob other pic's of sludge like yours no doubt on 'leaking lim' threads.

[Mohi]

Hmmm... I dont have much clue how all this is done but thanks

[Mohi]

After going thru all the forums, i did the bubble test, where you start the cold engine with the radiator lid open and let the engine heat up, after running for like 15 mins , i went to check it i saw water from the radiator overflowed , but now was still ,, there was no bubbling ,but when i reved the engine only a huge boil of water came but was only one... and then it also settled but there was no bubbling atall......

and i also tried to drop a big of engine oil from the Dip stick on to the hot engine surface but there was no steam only black somke burnt..so i think there is no water in the engine oil...

I hope it makes sense ...

[VYMAD]

No, I don't reckon there is coolant in your engine oil, the pic you posted showed good, clean oil with no sign of water therein, as Wogboyz also said.
Might be an idea to remove your oil filler cap and examine its underside, also run your finger in and feel the inside of the rocker cover, though I would say it will be fine.
Another possibility, in addition to those already mentioned is that the transmission fluid cooling line may have ruptured inside the radiator. Just a tiny pinhole could be gradually letting fluid into your cooling system. I'm not sure, but if the coolant pressure is great enough when it's at running temp, then it's POSSIBLE that coolant could be in your transmission fluid as well. Have you checked that?

[edals]

Im Going to say its the inlet manifold gaskets, i had the same issue with the old VR. replaced Gaskets, flush and refill, perfect for over a year now

[WogBoyz]

Car was serviced around 600ks ago.... got booked in for thursday ,for the inspection

oh ok, explains the very clean oil lol

[Mohi]

Might be an idea to remove your oil filler cap and examine its underside, also run your finger in and feel the inside of the rocker cover, though I would say it will be fine.
Another possibility, in addition to those already mentioned is that the transmission fluid cooling line may have ruptured inside the radiator. Just a tiny pinhole could be gradually letting fluid into your cooling system. I'm not sure, but if the coolant pressure is great enough when it's at running temp, then it's POSSIBLE that coolant could be in your transmission fluid as well. Have you checked that?

Thats what i just did now,, the engine oil filler cap is pretty clean and the rockers aswell...
then i checked the Tranny oil...it was pretty clean and red ..as you can see on the paper napkin and on my finger...Attachment 122744Attachment 122745Attachment 122742Attachment 122743

[Mohi]

So did you get to any conclusion from the pics VYMAD

[TI3VOM]

All that is is the pellets that Holden recommend putting in when you change your coolant! The sludge is a slight pinky brown colour isn't it?
It's there for better cooling.

[Mohi]

At LAST all fixed........

By true thanks to all of you guys ....you guys saved me from paying $3000 to the F#@kin Midas Greensbrough mech who almost convinced me that my head gaskit was the reason for all the slude...
but after all your replies and reading thru the different forums i wasnt convinced that it was my head gaskit ..
so after visitong few Mech around I had it fixed from Auto Volante Auto in Thomastown...

Midas guy (Tristin) said it was $2000 to fix the headgaskit and them $400 extra for better valves as my car is on Lpg ,and all together fitted back was around$2700 and they keep my car for rnd 1week...
He said he did the test and found exhaust gases in the cylinder but my car wasnt heating and there was none water in Engine and Tranny oil and he diagonised this all in 10mins and i didnt even see him taking the plastic engine cover off (not sure we have to take this off for the test or not) ..but in the end thanks all of you as you guys replied to all my question with Pics and stuff..............
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[colgf]

My VY Supercharged has the same sludge , its had it for 4 years I have owned it , theres nothing wrong at all , its just like they say , coolant sludge residue mixed with rust from the engine block, I replaced the radiator & coolant about 12 months ago & it still produces this residue , I just wipe it off the cap/ dipstick each time I check the water level. No worries relax go spend your $2800 you just saved on a holiday!!!!