sludge in the radiator/not on dipstick though

[tuoser]

hey all
new to the forum but love reading it..
i have a vu's'2 ute..
was losing water a lot so i changed the heater tap and water leak has stopped but i have this sludge in the radiator now..
i'm tipping it's not the head gasket ??
rocker cover gaskets need replacing though which i'll be doing soon..
any ideas r.e sludge???

thanks heaps
tuoser

 

[tuoser]

just read an old thread and the coolant stick is sludgy as well..
so i assume its the inlet manifold gasket..!!
are they hard to change??
thanks

 

[Killr6]

does holden service your cooling system? if those they use these pellet things that make the coolant dirty.

my radiator cap has sludge on it and so does the dipstick but ive had my inlet manifold gasket tested and it was fine, so im also unsure on the problem in my car.

 

[Defected]

Sounds like it could be inlet manifold

inlet manifold is pretty easy if you know your way around the motor. Just taking off the plenum and manifold ( and all accessories) just make sure all your surfaces are cleaned properly, i spent around 2 hours on each my old VN and mums VX cleaning all surfaces. makes a difference.

There is a guide on here i think, Just search for it, if not grab a commodore manual from an auto shop

Also, make sure you flush your entire cooling system to get all the crap out or you'll have gunk under your radiator cap again

 

[bricat]

I think you need to change the oil too as water will get down the gallies?

 

[VR38]

Did you fluch the heater and cooling system when you replaced the heater tap?

 

[Anglosaxon]

One other thing it can be, if its an auto, trans fluid, I got a crack in one of the trans coolers in my radiator and all my trans fluid ended up in my cooling system, took me ages to flush it all out, thankfully no water ended up in trans but,,

 

[tuoser]

Did you fluch the heater and cooling system when you replaced the heater tap?

yeah..i flushed it properly
car overheated today and all the sludge was pouring out of the overflow...engine had used oil as well..
i filled it with water again and replaced oil..
dipstick oil was still clear of any sludge though..
i think it might be time to replace inlet manifold and rocker cover gaskets now..
rocker cover gaskets definitely leaking and i guess it is the inlet manifold gasket as well..
i will then give cooling system a huge clean/flush..
any advice to get it all done quicker/easier is very welcome..
thanks

 

[Killr6]

if the sludge is a creamy brown colour its the inlet manifold gasket, save yourself and buy a MACE inlet set will last a lifetime.

if its a redish colour your radiator has **** itself , and it leaking tranny fluid into the system.

 

[tuoser]

if the sludge is a creamy brown colour its the inlet manifold gasket, save yourself and buy a MACE inlet set will last a lifetime.

if its a redish colour your radiator has **** itself , and it leaking tranny fluid into the system.

Ok..it's creamy brown.. I am selling the car once it's fixed, so do you think I just get the gaskets from supacheap and do them..
Thanks