coolant system

[Justin Fleming]

So I just received a 1988k5 from cali, I am not sure what to think on the coolant system. The guy told me that I wouold want to drain the system and winterize it, meaning putting anti-freeze in for michigan temperatures. So I drained the coolant system and what came out was all white. What would have they added to make it white? He mentioed that they put something in the sytem for the high temps(some sort of oil) I just really wonder if I am getting the run around and they added some stop leak product. There was zero hint or color of normal coolant.

Any ideas

 

[Fordum]

White sounds like Bars Leaks. If the radiator or head gaskets start leaking after you flush it, that is what it was.
It looks sort of milky.

 

[Justin Fleming]

The guy insured me that its not the case, he said they use souluble oil in the coolant systems for lubricant and they run water... He said they run it in there heavy equipment etc.

Not sure what to think

 

[nvrenuf]

Have him provide the specific product name and brand. Research for truth. If he can't provide this, he's full of chit.

 

[snowdriver]

Water soluble oil will turn the coolant white,but I have never heard of it being used in a cooling system,but I don't think it would be a problem,and it has no stop leak ability at all,fwiw

 

[Fordum]

There used to be some stuff called Mac's No. 13 Water Pump Lubricant, that I used from time to time in my Jeep.
It was supposed to stop rust in the cooling system.
I think NAPA picked it up for a while.
It turned the water white also.

Not sure what some of the water wetter stuff does. I do know that there are some antirust compounds that some people use when they don't want to use antifreeze for one reason or another.
But, no idea what it does to the color of the water.

 

[ryoken]

there are a few marine ones.. Detroit has one that I've seen guys use.. it's purple.. every spring and fall, we would swap the boat from that to antifreeze.. the water souable oil for my bandsaw is blue... makes smurf water...



I would just do a light muriatic flush a couple times, clear flush and refill with 50/50... if your not comfortable playing with muriatic acid, a couple bottles of prestone flush will do similar..

 

[diesel4me]

Solder Seal (Gunk brand) Water Pump Lube and Anti-Rust will turn the coolant a milky tan color...

 

[wheels87k5]

So the best thing to do is flush it completely out, refill it back up and run it to see if all is good or he fabricated the truth.

If the milky white color doesn't return, you should be good to go. If it does return, then time to do a compression check and/or possibly replacing head gaskets. The worst scenario would be a cracked block or head.

Hope for the best.