jmfranc

Changing my radiator and removed upper line and there was a off-white oil build up that seemed like cooled bacon fat. It was at the 6'clock position inside hose connector on radiator side. WTH is it???

Now replacing upper and lower hoses and thermostat in case there's more.

jmfranc

Also, it was driven for a mile or so without coolant. Temp gauge never got any higher than normal. I didn't hurt anything right? Or cause this bacon fat? I want to fully resolve this before putting new radiator in.

snobdds

This is a combination of things.

1. I bet its been years since the fluid has been changed. Radiator fluid is only good for about 30,000 miles before the PH levels get out of wack.
2. Distilled water was not used and the hard water is finally crystalized.

Conclusion...change your radiator fluid more often and use distilled water.

jmfranc

Haven't had her long and this was my first time in there. Replacing radiator as a precaution.

Anything I can do at home to possibly clean that bacon fat stuff out of the whole system ? I have to do it myself. Any ideas?

jmfranc

I have toy coolant and distilled water ready for the refill

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Bacon?

:wabbit2:

snobdds

Just do a seriers of fill and flushes with water until there is nothing left in the system.

jmfranc

No - just bacon fat! it cooks so fast on a hot manifold

Buck87

Never start it or drive it again with-out coolant. I am not sure that the sending unit for the temperature gage will work properly if it is not submerged in liquid. Put in the new parts, flush out all of the old coolant with tap water. Fill it with tap water and see how it runs. If it runs good and there are no head gasket issues fill it with the new coolant and distilled water and wheel it.
To get a good flush you will have to let it get it warm enough to open the thermostat to circulate the old coolant out of the engine. Or you could put it back together temporarily with-out a thermostat, put a garden hose into the radiator cap opening (bung hee hee) start the engine and open the drain cock while you flush. Then install a new thermostat close the drain cock (hee hee) and fill it with water to see how it runs. Then drain it and fill it with the good stuff.

jmfranc

Excellent advice. That's what I'll do

Buck87

correction... you may want to flush it before you put on the new parts,then put the parts on, fill it with water and test it.

DRCOFFEE

Check the transmission fluid for contamination ASAP. It could have been a broken cooler in the radiator. It'll look milkshake'ish

rworegon

What does the underneath side of the oil cap look like? The oil? Almost sounds like coolant and oil is mixing = chocolate milkshake. Tranny fluid and coolant = strawberry milkshake.

KZN185W

iTrader: (1)

or it could be engine oil mixing with the coolant due to gasket leak somewhere in the engine

jmfranc

Luckily no milkshakes here! I think it was just old fluid. Mostly clear and just red. Oil is fine and tranny fluid is pure red. I just replaced thermostat and didn't see any more bacon fat. Took off water lines and didnt see any other. I think I'm pretty good. Rinsed out new radiator with distilled water. Who knows what's in there straight from the factory.