Help-Radiator Brown Sludge Again.

[D.I.Y. Mik]

I have recently cleaned out the cooling system and it been fine untill now, i have slimy brown sludge again.

The oil looks ok, no water i can see.

I have recently had overboosting problems with my rb 25 turbo.

Could it be related?

Head bolts need a re-tighten?

Turbo seals going?

Its strange as the coolant is real clean still, just sludge under the cap and coating the inside of the overflow bottle.

[StevenCJR31]

it may have been some sludge in the cooling system that you may have missed before? if its only a minor amount of brown stuff then id suggest not worrying to much and just closely monitor it too see if it gets any worse/better

[mad082]

it may just be stuff that was in the radiator. flushing the radiator does bugger all to get stubborn junk out of the radiator. the only way to properly clean it is to take it to a radiator place and have them open it up and clean it out.

[StevenCJR31]

^^exactly! ive have even jammed a garden hose in the block to clear out crap and it doesnt get it all out. . . the worry there is all crud in the bottom of the water jackets is nicely loosened up and ready to block up the tubes in the radiator

[Sinista32]

Read thread again. Advice changed.

So is it oil in water ?

Blown head gasket

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Thankyou richard for reading all of it.

Thats what im worried about, some kind of leak.

After unwanted 18 psi boost i didnt want it popping a gasket or seal somewhere, but thats what happens i guess you need a special head gasket for high boost.

And the rad is new, thats why the cooling system got a good clean before.

Wastegate is free with the new bellmouth on.

Happened just as i was going up the first bit of the twistys at the cotter.

so back to old actuator and bov, im re setting the ebc too.

Edited March 25, 2013 by D.I.Y. Mik

[Sinista32]

I'm not a mechanic but to me it sounds like it. In other cars Ive owned it would be the first thing I'd look at.

Get confirmation tho.

I'd not go over 10-12 psi on stock otherwise things like old turbs, and head gaskets go pop, bottom end troubles etc......

Your a DIY so once confirmed pull the head off, get it fully serviced and shaved (800 or so )

Then get yourself an aftermarket metal head gasket and some ARP head stud bolts.

[D.I.Y. Mik]

This is one of those tipping points, if the head re-torque doesnt work, maybe its time to pull the motor out and sort everything.

Trying to fix this and that as the previous owners neglect and bodge ups become apparent, is a never ending process.

Starting over is in my experience the best thing to do. I already have half the stuff i need.

New turbo and clutch will be a must, so it will be a tight budget.

Get everything right, and it will cop a massive flogging and beg for more.

And i have a garage now.

Edited March 25, 2013 by D.I.Y. Mik

[Daleo]

Run a cooling system flush though it and start from scratch; also maybe look at getting a "TK" (this detects exhaust gas from a blown head gasket in the water) test done on the cooling system.

This will save pulling a motor down unnecessarily.