Coolant Reservoir Mustard looking Sludge

[bruin]

Hey All.

I just picked up a 97 4 banger and it seemed to be in decent shape aside from the rust and age. Drove it for a couple hundred miles and the other day I heard something off (sort of like a sputtering sound) so I checked and the coolant was pretty much empty and it had this brownish mustard looking thick substance in there.

I've read a bit on the pink milkshake issues and not sure if this could be that since it is not anywhere near pink, but I don't know what type of antifreeze was in there may be causing it to be a different color. I don't know a lot about engines but from what I've been reading it could be a HG issue as well. I think my temp gauge may be gone too because the engine seemed to be pretty hot but it was still reading at the half way mark.

I really hope I didn't do extensive damage by driving it in this condition (after adding more coolant) ~10 miles home. It looks like there may be a leak on one of the valves or engine block because I noticed a dark oily looking spot after this. As I said, I'm not very knowledgeable and I'm just wondering if anyone may have any insight on this before I have it towed to a mechanic on Monday, and then back to the dealer that sold it since I only got it 2 weeks ago.

Thank you very much for any and all insight. Pics are attached.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

If I were to guess it might be motor oil mixing. The 4 cyls are sort of known for having HG failures with age. Does the oil look ok in the crankcase?

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

looks like DEX COOL (orange coolant) mixed with regular Green coolant which is a b*** to clean out.

 

[calimobber]

looks like DEX COOL (orange coolant) mixed with regular Green coolant which is a b*** to clean out.

That was my first thought but I would look at the Engine Oil and tranny oil to see if anything was mixing.

Hate to be the one to say it, but how the hell do you buy a car without checking the fluids hahaha. Sorry buddy had to say it.

Hopefully its the bad coolent mixed and you get the chance to fix it.

 

[calimobber]

looks like DEX COOL (orange coolant) mixed with regular Green coolant which is a b*** to clean out.

Thats my first guess as well but I would also look at the Engine Oil and tranny oil to see if anything was mixing.

Hate to be the one to say it, but how the hell do you buy a car without checking the fluids hahaha. Sorry buddy had to say it.

Hopefully its the bad coolent mixed and you get the chance to fix it.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The dexcool and prestone (yellow) only really jell when exposed to atmosphere. It like coolant was run low for a while.

 

[coinball]

Does the oil fill cap have the same mustard crap underneath it? If so, BHG. If not, sounds like it's time for a coolant flush to get the AIDS out.

 

[sjwelna]

Did it drive ok or was it running rough at all? I'd do a compression test to see if it's a bad HG. Can still be blown and get good readings though (blow out between oil and coolant passage but not cylinder). If the temp was hot and it looks like a booger milk shake that usually means the HG is toast. Does the sludge smell like oil at all? Good luck, if it was the wrong type of coolant I don't think it would do that, but I'm not super familiar with mixing other things into the toyota red coolant...

 

[Hammontree]

Brown sludge in coolant resevoir

Took my 97 4runner to Big O to have valve cover gaskets replaced and intake gasket as well. 200 miles later noticed my transmission was taking a little bit to shift to first gear after stopping. Fluid looks to be a little low but is black. I hate to admit but I have neglected to keep an eye on it. After looking under the hood I checked the coolant reservoir and noticed it has brown sludge like a chocolate milkshake. Any thoughts on what may have cause this. Is it something that Big O could have messed up? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Not likely something Big O did.

Black fluid in the transmission is bad, that means it's burnt or contaminated it probably ran low from a leak of some sort and then overheated the fluid that was left. It sounds at first glance to be bad transmission fluid and in a separate issue, you might have had oil in your coolant at some point (or still currently do).

I think you need to get your fluids replaced in all major components. Oil change, coolant flush and transmission drain and fill (would not do a power flush, might kick up stuff and damage the transmission).