Bought a cheap camaro.... runs fine but the dexcool is bad, brown and mudded up a bit, possibly a little low. No overheat.


What do you guys suggest to clean it out. Don't care if I have to pay, or do it myself, just don't want to cause more issues.

Also car has no heat, not sure if heater core is trashed as well. you can hear the valve move when you turn the **** but hot air doesn't come.


ITs a 2000 3.8L with 106k I am willing to bet origninal coolant.....

 

Coolant flush, pressure test (with heater turned to on position) to tell if heater core is bad, since you have the "sludge" change PCV valve. It's also possible the sludge is from only taking short trips. Frequent trips that are short allow the sludge to accumulate.

 

Sounds like the "sludge" is in the cooling system.... not in the crankcase.

 

Recommend you disconnect the heater core hoses and back flush the heater core. Other than that, just a good flush, fill it with clean water, run it up to temp, and drain. Repeat until the rinse water comes out fairly clean, then fill it with the proper mix of the manufacturer specified coolant. Not sure what GM calls for, I have good luck going with 5 years or 50 k miles-

 

I'm getting ready to do the Water Pump/Thermostat/Optispark/Sparkplugs/Wires repair...and part and parcel naturally, is the draining of the coolant. My LT-1 only has 73,000 Miles on it ...but I think a coolant clean-out is in order since I have to do all the rest of the work listed as well.

FWIW... This is arguably THE BEST LT-1--- L99 Coolant Draining Video around!!!

[autostream]http://autostream.com/camaroz28/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=170&t ransactionid=1296572760-2492205224&posted_by=rsm93z28_camaroz28.com[/autostream]

 

great vid

 

This is what happens when somebody mixes dexcool with 'green' antifreeze. You will most likely have to replace the heater core for good heat.

 

As I recall, the local shop cleans out the sludge by using a water & dishwasher detergent mix. Add some engine heat, bring it up to temps, then let it cool, drain and then backflush. Do not pull the radiator cap when it's hot or you'll get scalded in a geyser of boiling hot water, just like a lobster.