Clay-like fluid in radiator

corollagirl96 · May 28, 2010

I have a '96 Corolla, 4 cyl auto, with 148,000 miles. My coolant overflow tank and radiator has this really thick creamy brown colored mushy stuff in it,
almost like wet clay, even like dry clay in a few spots.

The radiator was recently changed and flushed. It was a few days afterward that I noticed.

I do leak oil somehow, and have never noticed a puddle. Could this be a sign of a blown headgasket? I'm not overheating and there's no white smoke out my tailpipe. Also, it doesn't appear that there is coolant leaking into my oil.

Is this a common problem on this age/mileage of Corolla?

What should I do?

Thanks for any advice.

Ludapower · May 29, 2010

Mine had the same thing when I changed the coolant. I figured it's really old coolant with sludge shit build up or possibly oil getting the the coolant through the head gasket.

Rip The E Brake · May 29, 2010

The coolant/water you put in the car, drys out over time and leaves mineral deposits in the radiator. That clay your seeing, is a build up of the deposits.

Flush your system completely and run water/rad flush, then flush again, then refill when the water is clean in your engine bay.

speedy25 · May 29, 2010

that clay like description is exactly what you find when oil leaks into the cooling system. Head gasket failure is not ALWAYS through the combustion chamber.

Start with a good reverse flush with a commercial cleaning product of your choice. You have to use a cleaner to get any residual oil out of the cooling system. You cant do it with straight water. If it stays away you'll be OK, but if it comes back, its head gasket time. Dont forget to clean the reservoir too.

-SP

Strokd_GE · May 29, 2010

probably just calcuim build up from running too much water in the cooling system and it possibly getting hot, do a good flush.. get a fresh tstat and make sure you use a proper coolant/water mixture

Clay-like fluid in radiator

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