engine and drivetrain Cooling Sytem Gel

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm hoping someone here has some thoughts on what will work. I'm trying to save a 75 '02 that was last registered in '96. Body is fantastic, but most everything else could use some help. Reading others efforts, getting the baby running seems to be a big challenge. For me, it was as simple as fresh gas, pop the top off the carb and unstick the float, and away she goes. My problem is this; It appears the coolant has turned to gel, or worse, a white solid. the Y fitting at the top of the head is completely plugged, and the head appears to be plugged also. Has anyone experience this? and is there any hope short of pulling the engine and complete tear down and boil out? I sure hope so, this thing was rebuilt shortly before parking....Hope to hear from some of you experts here, thanks for your time.

[winstontj]

I'm hoping someone here has some thoughts on what will work. I'm trying to save a 75 '02 that was last registered in '96. Body is fantastic, but most everything else could use some help. Reading others efforts, getting the baby running seems to be a big challenge. For me, it was as simple as fresh gas, pop the top off the carb and unstick the float, and away she goes. My problem is this; It appears the coolant has turned to gel, or worse, a white solid. the Y fitting at the top of the head is completely plugged, and the head appears to be plugged also. Has anyone experience this? and is there any hope short of pulling the engine and complete tear down and boil out? I sure hope so, this thing was rebuilt shortly before parking....Hope to hear from some of you experts here, thanks for your time.

I don't have a photo but are you talking about oxidation? The aluminum oxide can do that and appear like a gel substance. Often if people don't use distilled water the minerals in your tap water will oxidize the head and cause the white stuff you are talking about. Have you tried a power flush? If you take off the water neck (the Y thing you talk about) it should clean up OK. If the entire head is blocked the motor should be completely gone through before running. Once you get things moving try a power flush and a radiator flush system.

HTH,

TJW

[Zenon]

My problem is this; It appears the coolant has turned to gel, or worse, a white solid.

Sounds like the work of Dex-Cool (the 5yr "extended life" stuff, usually orange).

I have heard that it either reacts and gels when mixed with with normal antifreeze or is in a system with a lot of air (like ours). I have also read that gelling can happen with an antifreeze proportion greater than 60%. Whatever the reason, gelling is bad news and I would never use "extended life" coolants in my 2002.

A 30 to 50% mix of traditional low-silicate, phosphate-free coolant changed every year or two is the best and is what BMW spec'd for their cars into the '90s at least.

You will probably have to get the rad and heater core rodded out (by a rad shop) and I'm not sure if flushing the assembled engine will be enough. Maybe you can clear it out by removing the water pump and water neck and heater hoses and then fishing around with thick weed-eater cord to loosen up the crud. There may some sort of magic rad flush juice that can dissolve it but beware of possible damage to the alloy head and gaskets.

regards,

Zenon

[Guest Anonymous]

Here are a few pics, thanks for your time. Any thoughts are welcome. I wish I could say this is the result of a previous owner, but alas I was the one that parked this, albiet at a very bad time in my life.