I went out to run my 96 SE, have not used it in a while, has sat without starting for atlest 60 days. I always check my fluids and when looking today the over flow for the radiator is horibly mirky and dark with a skim across the top, the plastic is stained a dark brown like color. I drained and cleaned it easily. I then looked in the radiator and the fluid looks likie new but all the visible serfices look like there is a thick milky white gunk on them. Think ugg my head gasket is gone and there is oil in the cooling system I droped the oil pan and filter but found nothing but a full system with clean oil and the filter looked good to. I replaced it all and filled it back up with my fav Mobil 1 synthetic. I started and ran the car for 10 minutes with no errors found, no codes came up diring test and the engine sounded great like usual threw the rpm range, temp also looked good but I am concerned that this gunk is prolly on the sensor so not sure if it is reporting right. Also figured the thermostat is covered as well.

My plan is to replace the thermostat and flush the system a few times until clean but does any one have an idea here on what this is and what is going on? I did have major work done on the fuel system recently. All injectors, filter, and pump were replaced just a few months back. I can't think ove anything that would have done that could have caused this. Please any ideas and suggestions on treatment. Oh also I dont use any aditives in my oil, fuel, or radiator however I am guessing a can of sea foam after this mess would be a good idea.

Mike

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Why is it always me?

Are you running the orange Dex-Cool coolant?

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Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

The only limitation you will ever face in life is yourself!

Funny you mention that, the local Jiffy Lube talked me into that stuff once before, shortly after my water pump went bad and when I installed the new pump I put the good old fashion green back in but there may have still been some in the system.

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Why is it always me?

Yeah, despite the claims, the orange Dex-Cool and the green coolants dont seem to get a long well. You can have it professionally flushed to get all of the Dex-Cool out. When I pulled my engine out and pulled the LIM there still was a bit of the gunk from Dex-Cool in the system stuck to the sides of a couple of the coolant passages.

The only way Id ever use Dex-Cool ever again would be if God Himself told me to. Otherwise that stuff will never come near any vehicle I own again.

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Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

The only limitation you will ever face in life is yourself!