Coolant Goo Everywhere....

[VanderBosch]

Hello, this is my first post!!!

I just purchased a 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Chamonix. While going over it the past week, I noticed the coolant reservoir was extremely low. I couldn't tell what kind of coolant was in it (orangish color from the very little puddle left inside the reservoir) so I decided to take a peak under the radiator cap. Everything is covered in a thick orange/brown slime. Everything. NoooOOOOooooo.

I'm assuming someone decided to mix coolants before I became the owner and the coolant began to solidify. So my little inspection turned into a (needed) headache.

Some questions I have is:

Would a regular coolant flush get this goo out?

What else could be destroyed due to the goo?

If a flush is the way to go (getting one tomorrow regardless) is the correct coolant red like in the below link? http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pent ... pec_A1.pdf

Or red as in this link?
http://prestone.com/command/products/he ... d-life.php

I'm from the US so any information on what coolant to use after the flush would be awesome. I hope a flush is all that is needed and no other parts need to be purchased.

Thank you!

[joebillhill]

First off, Congratulations on your new Deli! Second, yes flush that gunk out.
I think it could either be a mixture of coolants or you have some corrosion going on. Neither is good and I'd say when you do the flush inspect the radiator.
I've never seen the Pentofrost before and curious the difference between Asian and other vehicle motors that allows a specific coolant. I've used Presone command heavy duty (the purple stuff) and I'm currently using Mopar (the green stuff).
I recommend with the flush you also get the back heater core. I flushed a lot of gunk out of there a few months ago.
Hope that helps some and show some pictures of your ride!

[204explorer]

I work on heavy diesel equipment. I have never experienced a mixture of coolants forming a goo. The only time I see that is when oil is mixed in the coolant. It's a brownish or grayish slush in the rad. But there is always a first for everything.


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[VanderBosch]

Thanks for the replies!

I did two radiator flushes and it seems as though everything is staying a consistent color. I was really worried about it being oil.

I will flush it one more time before snow starts hitting the ground and compare it to the previous two flushes. If I see any more globs I'll start to consider it being the head gasket. I just really wonder what that could of been. Had to get in there somehow?

[Growlerbearnz]

Could it have been radiator stop-leak additive? It's evil stuff.

[Morgonzo]

If you try to pressure test the rad, double check the tester adapters at the store first. I tried to rent one but none of the adapters were small enough to fit my rad cap! It was an aftermarket cap but when I came home it matched my original and it fit the rad opening. Just a head's up ..ymmv.