i have a 98 gmc jimmy and it is overheating really bad. i opened the radiator cap and there was this red gunk in my radiator. i tried to flush it out but i dont know how good of a job i did on it. can someone tell me how to flush a radiator out or tell me what the problem may be?? thanks.
2007-02-23 05:41:07 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Unless you have a way of disposing of the radiator fluid I wouldn't change it myself (especially if you have outdoor pets). Antifreeze contains Propylene Glycol which smells sweet to animals and is very toxic. Take it to a mechanic for a radiator flush and fill. They'll also check the thermostat and head gasket for leaks.
2007-02-23 05:53:27 · answer #1 · answered by herogoggles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
disconect the top radiator hose from the radiator and position it beside the radiator after that remove the radiator cap and put a garden hose into the radiator where the cap is and turn on the water but not full blast' just about half open. start the engine and let it run and eventually hot water should start coming out of the top hose that you have removed / let it flow thru till its clear and turn off the water and the truck' reattach the hose to the top radiator outlet and add fresh coolant then start the truck and let it get hot and top it off again with more coolant and reinstall the cap
and if it still overheats you probably have another problem such as a glogged radiator or leaking intake manifold gaskets or more
if you dont get fluid out of the top hose when flushing then the thermostat is probably stuck'
2007-02-23 06:12:37 · answer #2 · answered by chuckdaddypapalove 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Red gunk is probably rusty buildup
to flush it get a flushing addutive, make sure it is liquid and not a powder or pasty stuff.
pour that in and go per directions. You should also plan on replacing the thermostat and at leat the upper and lower hoses. If you do all this and still have overheating problems then the radiator may be plugged and instead of going through the trouble of having it cleaned. for about 120 bucks you can get a new one online.
2007-02-23 05:47:43 · answer #3 · answered by Uncle Red 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The radiator not only cools the engine but it also cools the transmission (the 2 small steal lines on the passenger side of the radiator). The transmission is leaking into the coolant and the only way i know how to fix the is get a new/used radiator.
2007-02-26 11:35:52 · answer #4 · answered by tabloms 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to get a radiator flush kit. It's a huge pain in the *** to do and it's usually done wrong. I'd suggest having a mechanic do it for you. In the end, it'll be worth it cause you're cooling system will be working properly and you won't have to eat a $5,000 loss on the vehicle.
2007-02-23 05:50:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a radiator flushing kit , read the instructions and you should be good to go. I fit is still overheating check your radiator for cracks along the top,if no cracks then check your fans to see if they are working. If the fans are working then it could possibly be your water pump! hey it could be a relay switch too.
2007-02-23 05:49:47 · answer #6 · answered by girlG 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
General Motors is facing a class action lawsuit due to the history of failures with the Dex-Cool coolant. Your system should have been flushed several times in it's life, this type of coolant is corrosive and damaging.
2007-02-23 06:44:08 · answer #7 · answered by jrayhp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it red or orange or brown. if it is red you may have a huge problem. cause your tranny cooling line run through your radiator and if you havent changed your antifreeze in a while the coolant may have ate through your tranny lines in the radiator. also never mix the dex cool (orange) with the green it will cause really bad sludging almost instantaneously 10-20 minutes of driving. if the original color is green and its just orangish or brown it just may be rust.
2007-02-23 06:13:53 · answer #8 · answered by Chawk 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you need a new thermostat to me go to Auto-Zone and get you one(.dont drive your truck) way to check your old one is to remove it boil some water throw it in and see if it opens as far as fushing goes them kits are pretty worthless if you need a radiator you can get one for $100-120 recondidtioned when you swap in your old one
2007-02-23 05:51:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The red fluid put in at the factory is known to clump and clog the thermostat. You can completely empty the system, change the thermostat and try using conventional green antifreeze.
2007-02-23 05:45:27 · answer #10 · answered by Final Answer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋