I have a 1994 Ford Explorer - last night when I got home %26amp; turned it off the radiator steamed out of the hood %26amp; smelled bad. After it cooled down - I checked %26amp; the reservoir was empty. I took off the radiator cap %26amp; yuck - black sluggy liquid instead of the nice green stuff. What's wrong? Any idea what kind of $$ I'm looking at? It only has 306000 miles on it. Thanks!Radiator steams %26amp; now it looks like oil ? slug in radiator - HELP!?
This sounds like a head gasket to me you could ask a garage to do a cylinder leakage test to see if there is a leak in one of the cylinders this will give you more of an indication of a headgasket. Can be costly but if you have done make sure you have the head skimmed and the block cleaned down otherwise a feww months down the line it could go again.Radiator steams %26amp; now it looks like oil ? slug in radiator - HELP!?
D.M hit the nail on the head! Probably time to shop for a new used car, the repair costs will be more! Sorry, and good luck.
I had the same thing happen to me on tuesday. My father who is a self-proclaimed god of cars, said that its pretty much toast and that if you need a quick fix for a short time you can JB Weld the front seal. Otherwise, get a cheap new one. I would suggest www.rockauto.com
Good Luck!
At the very least you've got a blown head gasket. That sludge is your motor oil in the cooling system. That means you have coolant in the crankcase. Major repair time and lots of money involved.
Automatic transmission?
Check the engine oil, and if the dip stick looks ok, then check the transmission oil, it sound like the transmission cooler (which is in the radiator or most vehicles), and if off color or very high, then there is a leak in the transmission cooler.
OK, if the oil on both the engine and tranny looks ok, and the level is good, then drain what's left in the radiator, flush, and add new fluid, PLUS, a new radiator cap, and check the hoses to the reservoir for leaks. It might also be a good idea to change thermostat and belt tension.
The reservoir will tend to get a little sludgy normally. It's not indicative of a problem necessary unless you find oil in your coolant. The running hot (steaming and empty reservoir) is a problem. You need to diagnose why your vehicle is overheating. Does it have a leak and the low coolant level caused it? Is the fan clutch bad and is that what caused it? Is your thermostat sticking closed and not allowing the coolant to circulate?
Whatever you do as far as the overheating is concerned, now would be a good time to flush out your coolant system.
check with an auto wrecker you may get one cheep the rad is dead
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