Super dee-duper orange floating stuff in radiator...

[85_305]

I'm going to make a long story short... my wife drove 800 miles on vacation. Had some magical "transmission problem" where she needed a new shift solenoid or something. cost like 480$. Then on her way back home, she had a strange random overheating problem. needed a new electrical fan.

Now, there is strange floating orange stuff in radiator, almost like rust or something? I checked before she left and it was NOT there then.

[CREWZIN]

The place that changed out the fan might have put some "stop leak" into your radiator for good measure to stop any leaks that you had or might have.

[85_305]

But the thing is, some dude at the gas station she initally stopped at noticed it before the fan was even changed out.. that guy thought the "rust" or whatever was clogging it up.

But now that I think about it, my wife DID say that the shop that fixed the trans said "if you need ANYTHING else before you go back home, stop back in". Thats rather suspicious? Either way, this orange shit is floating around and looks like a big hazard to my awesome car.

[slartyblarfast]

Ok..... Some floaties are normal. Remember your talking about water and anti freeze subjected to temperatures of 220-230 everyday and coolant designed to last 5 years or 100,000 miles. With out seeing them it's hard to say....

[85_305]

I guess I should have been more specific. My fault.

There is thick orange sludgy goopy stuff on the underside of the radiator cap and all up in the neck. I can scoop it with my finger and fling it like mud.

[Jabouty]

02 with original radiator, I would hazard guessing that's rust build up from years of fluid sitting in there. My 95 neon had the same issue when I heated her in Cali. Probably due for replacement and system flush I would say.

[85_305]

I suppose that makes sense... it's probably never had a flush in it's life. Probably the same with transmisison then.

[Travis2k7]

Originally Posted by 85_305

it's probably never had a flush in it's life. Probably the same with transmisison then.

From what I've read on these very forums the transmission is the weak link of the vehicle.

I bought my PT 3 months ago and it's in the shop this morning at 49k miles getting a transmission flush based on the assumption it's never been serviced before.

Peace of mind is worth $150 to me....

[slartyblarfast]

Originally Posted by 85_305

I guess I should have been more specific. My fault.

There is thick orange sludgy goopy stuff on the underside of the radiator cap and all up in the neck. I can scoop it with my finger and fling it like mud.

Ok.... check the engine oil. See if it has kind of a chocolate milk shake look. If the sludge in the coolant is excessive and the coolant it self is the same color you may have oil mixing in the coolant from when the engine overheated. Kind of worst case scenario but that's kind of what it sounds like to me. Is there any way you can get a sample or coolant out, out it in a glass and post a picture? That would be VERY helpful.

[85_305]

No the oil is tip top shape.

I can sure try to get some out tomorrow though and show you guys. If I remember.. I'm on 24hour duty so I'll try to remember in the morning.

Travis- Yes I noticed.. 80k miles and this thing was leaking like crazy from some external transmission solenoid. Not cool.