My first post and I am worried. Checked my 89 NA Zed's fluids yesterday and found sludge in radiator bottle. Strange as the whole system was flushed 2,500 kms ago. Went back to the place that done it this morning and they said it was oil. Checked around the radiator cap and it was as clean as can be. If it's a head gasket how come there is no trace of oil in the radiator proper?. The car does not run hot at all, uses very little oil and is not down on power though the oil pressure is down a small amount on what it was. It's going back this arvo for more exploratory work. Any ideas?. Thanks in anticipation.
I'd get a second opinion on the susbstance... You say that the whole system was cleaned but was the radiator overflow too? Unlikely unless you specifically asked for it so this could be the cause. I take it you are referring to oil in the overflow tank? (filler neck behind passenger headlight? PS: Welcome BTW! (And fill in your profile so we know where you are please!)
may just be sludge..... these bottles can get very sludgy over time, especially in a 15 year old car.... they mave flushed the system, but that doesnt mean that they actually cleaned the overflow bottle... Cheers
Filled out the profile, sorry about that, new to all this stuff. Yes the bottle was cleaned out at the time of the flush. Prior to that the coolant in the bottle was red and in the radiator green. So I made a point of asking for it to be done and checked afterwards. All coolant was then green.
Welcome Steve... are you far enough north coast NSW so that you could join us South East Queensland lot for a cruise occasionally. We have one happening this coming weekend if you are interested. Cliff:zlove:
S.E Qld cruise I'm between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie so S.E Qld is a bit of a step, otherwise I'd be there.
update Had the VDO oil pressure sender unit fitted and oil pressure is reading much higher, nearly 8 on a cold start,6 when cruising and 4 on idle.. Removed the radiator bottle and cleaned it thoroughly, a few spoonfuls of oily sludge in there but no trace of anything sus in the radiator itself. Will just monitor it regularly and see what happens. Also, DinoZ I have a brother-inlaw who works as a mechanic at the tyre service in Maclean
