2001 Chevy Astro Brown Gunky Substance

MANNY GUTIERREZ

MEMBER
2001 CHEVROLET ASTRO
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

I recently noticed my engine running hotter than normal, as I looked at the radiator, I noticed this clay like substance that was rusty looking at the top of my radiator. Someone told me it could be the head gasket, but I am not losing alot of oil. Is this just a radiator problem? Or is it more?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Chance are it is just a dirty radiator. Start by having it flushed along with the engine block.

Also, if your car came with Dexcool antifreeze (I think it did) you can not mix any other type of coolant with it, otherwise it will do that.

Let me know if that may have happened.

Joe

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 AT 12:08 PM

MANNY GUTIERREZ

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you.I had an aquaintance tell me a horror story about his encounter yet I still took to a garage(radiator) and they said what you said. They will flush the engine, radiator (rod it out), put in a new thermostat, and he said it should be fine.

Thank you for your reply so soon.

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Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 AT 12:35 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

That sounds like a plan. Remember, the factory coolant in your car was Dexcool. It is a pinkish orange color. If after flushing the system they decide to replace dexcool again, don't ever mix another type of coolant with it.

What I would recommend is using GO5 coolant. It is gold in color and universal.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

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Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 AT 12:04 PM