Radiator troubles

[TomFarrell]

Hi Team,

I had a burst top radiator hose, that I have just replaced. But I would like ask what this milky/sticky brown stuff is and if I should flush out the system?

Photos are of the burst pipe and substance in question.




TIA

 

[Darcon666]

That normally means you have oil in the water... 2 things it could be:-

1). Head gasket or Manifold gasket
2). Auto Transmission cooler tank split has split.

Have a look under oil filler cap and is it there too?
Check you engine oil and Transmission as well?

Could help...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1ZQSLpxwX0

 

[devilly]

that looks pink to me,look into transmission lines.

 

[Immortality]

Agreed, the pink colouring would definitely suggest transmission fluid in the coolant system.

I'd definitely have the radiator looked at before using and check the trans fluid too before doing anything else.

 

[edals]

3 for that being transmission fluid. Definitely don't drive the car. Hopefully no coolant got into the transmission also.

 

[TomFarrell]

I've had a quick look at the engine oil and the transmission oil. Both appear to be okay; no milk substance within either compartment.

What would be the go to solution here?

 

[accentstencil]

Flush the cooling system several times and replace the radiator.

 

[VT&VX]

I followed this thread and flushed the radiator three times before realising I should open the heater to flush the heater core too. Then I replaced the Auto Transmission filter and gasket.

It now looks like the problem was caused by loose inlet manifold bolts and by tightening these bolts I have squashed the gasket back down and might have solved the problem. It has improved but still some traces of oil in the radiator. Sludge is gone.

One more flush of the radiator with heater fully open, fingers crossed might clean it up.

Here is a reference pic of the inlet manifold bolt locations.

 

[greenacc]

Replacing the manifold gasket would help too.

 

[VT&VX]

placing the manifold gasket would help

If the problem is partially reduced then you might be right, I think about $80 and 4 hours DIY, but I might check if there is a gasket repair chemical that might do the job for less.