To see if exhaust gases are getting into the coolant you can do a gas sniffer test on the coolant.
@Cougar the coolant smells really rank. Also, after closer inspection, there’s greenish yellow sludge in the radiator and around the bottom of the cap… Any idea what it could mean?
Yup. And it ain’t good.
Test your coolant for evidence of hydrocarbons. The simplest test is one I call a “lab test”. You simply dip a test strip I and see if it turns colors. You can buy the kit at any parts store.
You can also remove the radiator cap, fill the cooling system, run the engine, and see if bubbles come out the fill hole. If it bubbles, that’ll be the combustion gasses blowing through a headgasket breech and migrating to the highest spot in the system… the fill hole.
Everything you’ve posted so far, all added together, strongly suggests a blown headgasket. And since the temp gage was pegged, you may also have a warped head.
Post back with your test results.
The sludge around the radiator cap is typical with old coolant. If the cooling system is completely full it is unlikely that the head gasket has failed. With a failed head gasket the coolant is displaced with combustion gases and the displaced coolant/low level create a cooling system problem.
With the engine operating at above normal temperature is the heat from the radiator fans even from right to left side and top to bottom?
I’ll check that first thing in the morning @Nevada_545. The coolant that’s in it appears to be dex. But, it’s got a rusty look to it and as I said. Is sludgey around the radiator. It’s reeks, I’ve never smelled this smell from any antifreeze in my life, and as my dad is a trucker, I’ve been around enough of it. I personally don’t think it’s the heads, between what I’ve read and seen. The resivour appears to be full (as in its at the full line) and there seem to be none of the other signs that people have pointed towards for blown heads or gaskets. The motor runs fine for Bout 15 minutes before the over heating starts, and mind you the temp here is averaging about 95-100° daily. With the sludge, is it possible that I just have a clog somewhere?
When was the last time the coolant was serviced?
It’s been atleast two years. I got the car about a month before this post started. And to my knowledge the previous owner didn’t service the coolant at all so… Yea there’s that…
Test the coolant anyway. Old coolant will not cause the temp gage to peg if everything else is working properly.
I’m not advocating old coolant, as coolant also contains additives that lubricate the water pump and inhibit corrosion, but old coolant is not the root cause of your problem.
a few personal observations about old coolant . . .
I’ve worked on a few vehicles, that were running hot
After changing it out, they ran MUCH cooler
I understand that other people may have different opinions, and may have different experiences
Fair enough.
But I still think it’s worth checking.
So I’ve come to the conclusion, that I’m gonna take it to a shop and if it turns out to be the heads, I’m converting everything over to the 5 speed /twin turbo v6 combo. I know there’s a good amount of work to it. And I’ve heard that I’m gonna need to reinforce the chassis as well… Correct?. But, I bought this car to be nice. And im willing to put the work in to make it nice. I apparently got screwed over by the guy that sold it to me. So I might as well make him drool right… Lol
I like your attitude.
Sincere best.
Why not? If the cubans can put a boat motor in an Olds and a soviet school bus carb in a Chrysler, anything is possible.
Why not? If the cubans can put a boat motor in an Olds
And Mercury Marine has/had been using GM engines for their Mercruiser stern drives for years. At least they did when we had our last boat, but that was close to 40 yrs ago.
Yeah but this one was a 2 or 3,000 pound diesel marine engine that was destroying the front end due to the weight.