Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

Vr Commodore Acclaim Black Sludge under radiator cap

Discussion in 'VR - VS Holden Commodore (1993 - 1997)' started by vrbloke-77, Mar 11, 2012.

  1. Mar 11, 2012 #1
    vrbloke-77

    vrbloke-77 Member

    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2011
    Location:
    Toowoomba
    Members Ride:
    1998 Holden Calais
    have a 1994 vr commodore acclaim bought this vehicle 1 year ago ever since i have owned it has had black sludge under radiator cap, have cleaned it every 4 months under cap. i dont think its head gasket. im thinkin inlet manifold gasket or those pellets holden used. i have done 60,000klm since in the car never missed a beat oil is clean as, doesnt overheat goes half way if ya sittin at lights or drive thru then fn kicks in drops the temp back down. oil is clean as a whistle. performance is good, when i replaced spark plugs yesty they were clean as and in good conditon and the mechnaic said they show signs of a healthy motor. im confused. any help be appreciated
     
    vrbloke-77, Mar 11, 2012
    #1
  2. Mar 11, 2012 #2
    aussie4life11

    aussie4life11 Keep It Simple Stupid

    Messages:
    1,567
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2011
    Location:
    Western Australia
    Members Ride:
    94 vr 3.8l v6 Auto Acclaim, 2002 Vy Exec Auto
    have you checked all your fluids? i was getting some brownish sludge under the cap before i replaced my trans and radiator. i think it was trans fluid leakin from the trans cooler in the radiator.
     
    aussie4life11, Mar 11, 2012
    #2
  3. Mar 11, 2012 #3
    vrbloke-77

    vrbloke-77 Member

    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2011
    Location:
    Toowoomba
    Members Ride:
    1998 Holden Calais
    had new gearbox fitted march last year brand spankin new one. ill get the auto place to check it. would my dip stick in gearbox be a diffrent colour
     
    vrbloke-77, Mar 11, 2012
    #3
  4. Mar 11, 2012 #4
    aussie4life11

    aussie4life11 Keep It Simple Stupid

    Messages:
    1,567
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2011
    Location:
    Western Australia
    Members Ride:
    94 vr 3.8l v6 Auto Acclaim, 2002 Vy Exec Auto
    manual or auto? dont know much about manuals but with my auto, i use dex III in mine and its a clear cherry red. if its darker, it could be burnt and if its creamy or white, generally means there may be water in your oil.
     
    aussie4life11, Mar 11, 2012
    #4
  5. Mar 11, 2012 #5
    vrbloke-77

    vrbloke-77 Member

    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2011
    Location:
    Toowoomba
    Members Ride:
    1998 Holden Calais
    auto gearbox mob repleaced gearbix with new one last year abd replaced all hoses to radiator. transmission fluid is nice and red on dip stick
     
    vrbloke-77, Mar 11, 2012
    #5
  6. Mar 11, 2012 #6
    aussie4life11

    aussie4life11 Keep It Simple Stupid

    Messages:
    1,567
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2011
    Location:
    Western Australia
    Members Ride:
    94 vr 3.8l v6 Auto Acclaim, 2002 Vy Exec Auto
    have you tried scraping some off the cap and burning it? you might be able to tell by the smell where its come from
     
    aussie4life11, Mar 11, 2012
    #6
  7. Mar 12, 2012 #7
    Wombles

    Wombles Cars cost too much.

    Messages:
    2,078
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2009
    Location:
    Gippsland
    Members Ride:
    '72 LJ Torana, '95 VS Acclaim and V8 wagon
    Its not brown sledge? Your not losing fluids? Might be those pallets.
     
    Wombles, Mar 12, 2012
    #7
  8. Mar 12, 2012 #8
    vrbloke-77

    vrbloke-77 Member

    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2011
    Location:
    Toowoomba
    Members Ride:
    1998 Holden Calais
    its a black sludge
     
    vrbloke-77, Mar 12, 2012
    #8
  9. Mar 12, 2012 #9
    vrbloke-77

    vrbloke-77 Member

    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2011
    Location:
    Toowoomba
    Members Ride:
    1998 Holden Calais
    been like it for 14months cars never missed a beat never over heated doenst use much coolant and oil is clean as and transmission fluids good. cars fuel economy and performance is excellent. when i replaced spark plugs yesterday there were nothing wrong with thm had a nice tan color to the tips. which indicateds a healthy engine
     
    vrbloke-77, Mar 12, 2012
    #9
  10. Mar 12, 2012 #10
    hako

    hako Donating Member

    Messages:
    8,019
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2004
    Location:
    Toowoomba SE QLD
    Members Ride:
    VS11 BT1 V6
    You probably have nothing to worry about as all caps will get a buildup of sludge under the cap after time....reasons may be 1...the cap is the highest point and oil floats to highest point...or may be 2...the cap is also the coolest part of the cooling system because of its location and also gets cooled by air - think about the oil fill cap which will get a buildup of sludge condensing under it.
    Also when an engine is worked on, various sealing substances from grease to silicone may be used the seal different parts - these break down eventually and float around in the coolant.
    I replaced my radiator about 2 years ago when it had a split tank - cap always had a greasy rusty deposit on it yet inside was clean as a whistle as you can see in the attached pics (3rd pic is trans cooler cut open). But you are doing the right thing by keeping an eye on it.

    Edit...the cooler pic shows just how the trans oil goes thru the cooler - these trans oil to coolant coolers are much more efficient than oil to air trans coolers.
     

    Attached Files:

    • rad3.jpg
      rad3.jpg
      File size:
      138.9 KB
      Views:
      2,702
    • rad2.jpg
      rad2.jpg
      File size:
      101.5 KB
      Views:
      1,011
    • rad4.jpg
      rad4.jpg
      File size:
      87.2 KB
      Views:
      1,352
    hako, Mar 12, 2012
    #10

Share This Page