What is this gunk in my coolant passages? (pics inside) - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

zads · 12-20-2006, 03:05 AM

I don't remember this crap being there when I changed the water pump,
and I've only run it for a very short period of time since then.
I don't want it to clog my brand new Koyo...

I've never put radiator leak-stop stuff in the car before,
but the previous owner may have.
The stuff is pretty gummy, almost snot-like.

Any ideas on what it is,
and how to get rid of it besides flushing it out with a hose??

zads · 12-20-2006, 03:06 AM

And no, its not SKEETSKEETSKEET.

cotbu · 12-20-2006, 05:09 AM

It's coolant gone bad! I've only seen this on a blown KA, but it sat for about a year. I believe there was a thread, where someone had that stuff on a running car. I think it was in the valve cover area. I'm going to try a search.

here's a link gunk in coolant

BC240 · 12-20-2006, 11:23 AM

Pic link is broken

If your running a new rad your going to need new fluids, do a search on how to flush your coolant.

idlafie · 12-21-2006, 12:32 AM

If you're referring to the white stuff in the photo, then it's probably calcium buildup from the previous owner not flushing the radiator/cooling system on a regular basis. The additives in the radiator coolant actually break down over time due to the repeated heat/temperature extremes the engine puts the coolant thru. See attached links for an explanation...

The short version:
http://www.bowieauto.com/RADIATORFLUSHANDREFILL.html
The LONG version:
http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/keeping_cool.htm

Anyhow, getting back on topic, to get rid of the white calcium buildup, you'll have to chemically flush your cooling system. You'll need to go to your local automotive supply store & get a can of radiator flush. To see how the chemical flush is done, click on the attached link:

http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/art...1rm&print=true

Anyhow, hope this helps...

ID

punxva · 12-21-2006, 12:47 AM

yea like idlafie said its just calcium build up and it costs like no more than $15 to get a good flush kit

AuburnRyan · 12-21-2006, 09:16 AM

I'll add that after you flush it fill it with DISTILLED water, or just buy some 50/50 premix.

Using tap water to dilute coolant will certainly add to this sort of buildup.

vvtisupra · 12-21-2006, 09:35 AM

the calcium most likely indicates that there has been tap water in your radiator one time or another. Always use distilled.

TriniGT · 12-21-2006, 11:00 AM

Calcium for sure, I use the Texaco extended life 50/50 with distilled water, removes most calcium and keeps the engine at a good operating temp. I recommend flushing the system and using this after, will help keep your sensor in good working order as well. Imagine how your sensors are looking now with buildup all around them, causing them to not read properly.

Gnnr · 12-21-2006, 09:29 PM

Ooh, good info. I saw some of that gunk when I changed the thermostat a while back. Better flush out the cooling system....

Anto · 12-22-2006, 12:04 AM

Ewwww. Those look like some super bad calcium/gunk deposits. What kind of coolant was run before? It looks like it might have been Dex-Cool.

If a system running Dex-Cool isn't properly bled of air, then it can react with the coolant & create a snotlike gunk that will f up your passages & radiator. RMI-25 cleans that shit out like nothing. Google if it you need some.

Your problem might not be like this, but here's a case of an iron block & Dex-cool:

In any case, when it's time to fill up with coolant again, flush your system with some radiator cleaner & distilled water until it's clear, then fill with the OEM nissan stuff OR Zerex G-05 with some food coloring of your choice (due to the light color of G-05) & bleed your system well.

12-20-2006, 03:05 AM	#1
zads Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: san diego, ca Age: 40 Posts: 303 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	What is this gunk in my coolant passages? (pics inside) I don't remember this crap being there when I changed the water pump, and I've only run it for a very short period of time since then. I don't want it to clog my brand new Koyo... I've never put radiator leak-stop stuff in the car before, but the previous owner may have. The stuff is pretty gummy, almost snot-like. Any ideas on what it is, and how to get rid of it besides flushing it out with a hose?? Last edited by zads; 12-20-2006 at 09:33 PM..

12-20-2006, 05:09 AM	#3
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 49 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	It's coolant gone bad! I've only seen this on a blown KA, but it sat for about a year. I believe there was a thread, where someone had that stuff on a running car. I think it was in the valve cover area. I'm going to try a search. here's a link gunk in coolant __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

12-21-2006, 12:32 AM	#5
idlafie Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: ..So Cal.... Posts: 940 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you're referring to the white stuff in the photo, then it's probably calcium buildup from the previous owner not flushing the radiator/cooling system on a regular basis. The additives in the radiator coolant actually break down over time due to the repeated heat/temperature extremes the engine puts the coolant thru. See attached links for an explanation... The short version: http://www.bowieauto.com/RADIATORFLUSHANDREFILL.html The LONG version: http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/keeping_cool.htm Anyhow, getting back on topic, to get rid of the white calcium buildup, you'll have to chemically flush your cooling system. You'll need to go to your local automotive supply store & get a can of radiator flush. To see how the chemical flush is done, click on the attached link: http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/art...1rm&print=true Anyhow, hope this helps... ID __________________ Weekend Mechanic for my Not-So-Mechanically-Inclined buddies....

12-21-2006, 09:16 AM	#7
AuburnRyan Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 272 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'll add that after you flush it fill it with DISTILLED water, or just buy some 50/50 premix. Using tap water to dilute coolant will certainly add to this sort of buildup. __________________ '93 Fastback LE - Wrecked '91 Fastback HICAS and LSD - Sold '93 Fastback SE - Current Last edited by AuburnRyan; 12-21-2006 at 09:38 AM..

12-21-2006, 09:35 AM	#8
vvtisupra Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: SB and OC Posts: 2,118 Trader Rating: (16) Feedback Score: 16 reviews	the calcium most likely indicates that there has been tap water in your radiator one time or another. Always use distilled. __________________ http://www.fuckdrama.com/

12-20-2006, 03:06 AM	#2
zads Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: san diego, ca Age: 40 Posts: 303 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	And no, its not SKEETSKEETSKEET.

12-20-2006, 11:23 AM	#4
BC240 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Richmond, BC Age: 42 Posts: 472 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Pic link is broken If your running a new rad your going to need new fluids, do a search on how to flush your coolant.

12-21-2006, 11:00 AM	#9
TriniGT Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Trinidad Posts: 981 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	Calcium for sure, I use the Texaco extended life 50/50 with distilled water, removes most calcium and keeps the engine at a good operating temp. I recommend flushing the system and using this after, will help keep your sensor in good working order as well. Imagine how your sensors are looking now with buildup all around them, causing them to not read properly.

12-21-2006, 09:29 PM	#10
Gnnr Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: S. FL Posts: 3,960 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ooh, good info. I saw some of that gunk when I changed the thermostat a while back. Better flush out the cooling system.... __________________

12-22-2006, 12:04 AM	#11
Anto Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: California Posts: 862 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Ewwww. Those look like some super bad calcium/gunk deposits. What kind of coolant was run before? It looks like it might have been Dex-Cool. If a system running Dex-Cool isn't properly bled of air, then it can react with the coolant & create a snotlike gunk that will f up your passages & radiator. RMI-25 cleans that shit out like nothing. Google if it you need some. Your problem might not be like this, but here's a case of an iron block & Dex-cool: In any case, when it's time to fill up with coolant again, flush your system with some radiator cleaner & distilled water until it's clear, then fill with the OEM nissan stuff OR Zerex G-05 with some food coloring of your choice (due to the light color of G-05) & bleed your system well.