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I’m helping my friend learn about cars so he decided to use his as an example. He just had the dealer replace his water pump and now it is making a funny noise. I said let’s check the fluids. He opened the oil cap and there was light brown sludge on the cap. I looked at his reservoir and there was the same thing at the bottom and flaky stuff floating near the top. I said his oil is mixing with his coolant and my mechanic friend said it might be the head gasket. So he took it back to the dealer and they said it was probably oil additives since all they did was add coolant and didn’t flush it. They also said the noise is due to his alternator. Can someone tell my friend here that the dealer messed up his car and that it isn’t the alternator or tell me that I’m wrong please. Thank you.
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Okay it could be a small head gasket leak. However, it is winter. Most of the combustion gases go out the exhaust but some leaks past the rings and into the crankcase. The major combustion gases are CO2 and water. Water mixed with oil can collect on the under side of the oil filler cap. The way to get water out of the engine in cold weather is a drive long enough to get the engine completely warmed up.
As for the antifreeze, it could be a small head gasket leak. However, I’ve seen some ugly looking antifreeze. If you use tap water to mix with antifreeze, depending on what is in your tap water, the minerals can plate out and coat the inside of the jug and radiator and/or just float around in the antifreeze. I recommend always mixing antifreeze with distilled water.
As for what is making noise I recommend an engine stethoscope. I bought one through Harbor Freight for less than five dollars. Now, you have to be very careful when using an engine stethoscope near moving belts. If the belt grabs the probe on the stethoscope it will pull in your hand before you can let go. The trick is to hold the stethoscope very lightly so if a belt grabs the stethoscope it is simply plucked from your fingers. The best mechanic I ever knew got his hand in a belt this way.
Ok so the sludge has gone away from driving it on the freeway. We are going to do an oil change and coolant flush (will make the mix with distilled water). Plus it wouldn’t be a proper flush since I don’t have the specialized equipment for it but I was thinking of draining the radiator adding water running it draining again until it comes close to clear. Maybe even pull the lower to drain even more. Also, he found that his clutch cable is loose so while we’re at it going to tighten that up or replace it like he wants to. Wouldn’t hurt.
Cream on oil cap is not a big deal. Chocolate milk looking stuff on the engine oil dipstick is a big deal.
Why was the water pump replaced? Did your friend have an issue where he had to bring it in to have work done? Or was it just suggested by the Dealer?
Yes he had to bring it in because coolant was leaking and making a lot of noise. The dealer diagnosed it and fixed it.
I’m helping three different people so this vehicle’s noise is a clutch cable needs an oil change coolant flush he’s getting a new cable for the clutch and transmission fluid change.
A Lincoln that needs new spark plugs ignition coil oil change fuel injectors cleaned maf clean possible tps needs replaced.
Chevy cobalt that I need to get diagnosed for possible bad abs/tcs either sensor or a component inbetween.
Plus my own car 2006 Suzuki aerio that I’m about to sell I need to do a general look over before I sell it. I do know I need to replace the brake pads.
That’s a tough call but given that the issue has not returned is encouraging. This article contains information on checking for head gasket failures as well as other information on solving cooling system issues. You might find it useful.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-do-when-your-engine-overheats
Keep us posted, and good luck.
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