Help !!! Coolant.

[Cupra-Matt]

Help please, gave my car a good detailing today and lifted the bonnet to wipe round,
Noticed the coolant header tank has a coating of crap on it.
Took the lid off to find a single lump of coolant in there. not nice pink G12 but brown rubbery looking baby poo.
Strange thing is that the car has not been running warm or overheating ever.
Jobs done on the car since I have owned her include,
1) new cam belt,
2) new manifold,
3)regular servicing,
and just consumables like new tyres and brake discs + pads.

Would any of the above require topping up the coolant at all, just wondering if anyone may have put the wrong coolant in there.

found this on another forum;

does G12 coolant differ from regular coolants sold in auto stores?

This is the only coolant you can use, the safest way to top off the coolant is to always use water. You put any other coolant in the system it will start gelling and you will have to flush the system immediately.

 

[Thev5]

That doesn't sound good. Have a look at the oil filler cap. If that looks the same or like mayo, then I'm afraid your head gasket has gone.

 

[adam5363]

That doesn't sound good. Have a look at the oil filler cap. If that looks the same or like mayo, then I'm afraid your head gasket has gone.

Thev5 is right, sounds like it could be head gasket, how many miles has the car done

where in notts are you from??

 

[Cupra-Matt]

Oil is fine that was the first thing i checked, no deposits just nice clean oil on the dipstick.

Car has done 136k and still going strong.

Now obviously I need to get it flushed but will this gel come out just using a water flush or are there any chemicals I can use to break the gunk down a bit first???

 

[adam5363]

wouldn't use any chemicals to flush out coolant system, it could get trapped in the radiator and cause damage, i would just try a normal coolant flush

 

[smithygcupra]

just sounds like the coolant is well overdue changing.......... just drain the existing cooloant out... (piece of p*ss)....and put new in.....then do this again in a few thousand miles to ensure that all the gunk is out!!! should be fine!!

 

[adm013]

Hi from what I know, you can mix the red and purple coolant together, and the green and blue together but you CAN'T mix the blue/green with red/purple as it doesn't have the same cooling properties. It goes a brown colour and gels just like you have read. Don't think it is a big issue as you have not had any cooling problems, but just flush it out and get new red/purple coolant in asap.

Andy

 

[Cupra-Matt]

Flushing it out, how do I ensure that the heater matrix gets done while I am flushing the rad and hoses?
Just want to get it right and make sure there is no gunk left that my cause a blockage in the future, mainly as I think my brother is having the leon off me after xmas.
Would you also let the car run with just water in the system and let it get warm during the flushing process just to ensure it is clean. Then drain it and fill with G12+ and de-ionised water.?

 

[Lodgey180]

seat vw skoda and audi dealers sell coolant flush because of a issue with oil coolers..

the part number is G 052 188 A3

it has directions on the side itas about £20 + vat for 5 litres