Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) coolant question

[cmills]

A friend of mine has 98 24 valve with around 80,000 miles, and the other day we pull the radiator cap off(don,t know why, just bored i guess) anyway the radiator cap had a bunch of slime hanging off of it, the coolant looked clean(bright green). Will coolant do this over time or could it be something like the oil cooler leaking oil into the coolant? By the way the coolant has never been changed or had any additives put in it. Thanks!



Cory

 

[Midnite]

Sounds like it's time to change the coolant.



I've read that antifreeze which is high in silicates can cause slimy stuff, but I thought that was normally found in the bottom of the radiator, or lower radiator hose.



You definitely want to use low silicate ethylene glycol (NOT propylene glycol). I'd bet the dealer your friend bought it from filled it with some generic crap antifreeze.



Mike

 

[benhall]

Cory,



I wouldn't worry about that green slime too much. If you look at other common liquids, they leave a residue on surfaces too, like the green slime that antifreeze puts on your cap, but we just don't notice them. But while you have the cap off, look at the rubber seal and make sure it is still pliable and has no tears or cracks on it. If so, do a pressure check on the cap to make sure it is still good.



I hope this helps.



Ben