[SRT4Driver]

My fluid reservoir was empty of all fluid and the bottom was coated with a reddish brown sludge. I then checked under the radiator cap and saw the same sludge.

I think I'm getting either oil or trans fluid in my coolant, I think you all should check your Nitros as well.

Make sure the engine is cool before popping off the rad. cap.

 

[rbnsal]

Thanks for the heads up. Will look for that this evening.

 

[mdwcalif]

OK this is scary! SRT4Driver, uhh, which fluid reservoir? Could you photo it? I'll go check right away once I know what I'm looking for. Apologies for the ignorance thing. My A/C is, starting the last coupla days, once again blowing neutral-to-warmish air. Just had the oil leak in the A/C cooler repaired a month ago, and they recharged everything then, but they're going to have to go into that system again for sure. Could this all be related? Dammit why didn't I learn this stuff before, I hate being so ignorant. I'm not stupid, just ignorant!

 

[rbnsal]

Two yellow plastic caps over radiator. Facing engine compartment, cap on right is wiper fluid and the cap on the left is radiator reservoir.

I checked my fluids and all looked clean and sludge free. There does seem to be some type of substance (like vaseline). I think it is a conditioner for the radiator fluid but I'm not sure. Definately not sludge.

 

[SRT4Driver]

Here's some pics I took of this gunk... My SRT-4 uses the same coolant and it doesn't have anything like this anywhere. The yellow cap is where you add coolant after warming up the motor and checking the level by viewing the back of the bottle from back near the driver's side door. Mine was bone dry...

The gunk/sludge has the consistency of Vaseline, or jelly. I find it odd that it was this low, it has what looks like "oil" mixed in it, and at the same time my transmission shifts strangely, and makes a tooting noise. The shop told me the trans cooler is integrated into the radiator? They suggested that the coolant and trans fluid are getting intermixed.

Not feeling too good about this car at this point

Image uploading. Refresh page to view

Image uploading. Refresh page to view

 

[NitroCharger]

Checked mine today, nothing like that, looked to be normal.
I dont' have the whistle though. I'll be keeping an eye on this
from now on.

Definitely looks like something got in there. Kinda strange the level
was that low too. My Charger is almost 2 years old and I haven't had
to add a drop of coolant.

 

[SRT4Driver]

They're saying it's "factory stop leak"? As if this is something they just go ahead and out in all of them? Why would a brand new car have stop leak in the cooling system?

I'm going to ask them to pop the radiator cap off of another one... I want to see this.

 

[NitroCharger]

Popped the caps on both my Charger and Nitro and they were totally
clean, not a hint of that sludge anywhere. I wonder if Nitrotech has heard
of this "factory stop leak"?!?!

 

[fcsallan]

They're saying it's "factory stop leak"? As if this is something they just go ahead and out in all of them? Why would a brand new car have stop leak in the cooling system?

I'm going to ask them to pop the radiator cap off of another one... I want to see this.

That is Bull man. That is oil. I have been working on cars for over 25 years and every time you see chocolate milk in the radiator it is bad news. Most of the time it is a bad head gasket if not a cracked head.

If they are sure it is OK, have them do a full coolant system flush, at their cost, and then check it in a few days or for that matter every day for a while. If any of that comes back, bring it back.

 

[SRT4Driver]

Thanks guys, I appreciate you're input. I can't believe they really think this is "normal"... I'm starting to think this is just how Dodge is dealing with major issues these days. I'm also having issues with the A/C expansion valve and their answer was "it's normal condensation, it's just soaked into the firewall insulation" :i_rolleyes:

Annoying whistle from the crank case = Normal
Horrible shifting = Normal
Trans making groaning noises = Normal
Rusty exhaust on a new car = Normal
Gunk in the coolant = Normal
Empty coolant reservoir = Normal
Yellowish thick oil coming from A/C = Clear thin water? = Normal
(insert next problem here) = Normal
(insert problem after that here) = Normal
Wanting to scream = Normal
Vowing to never buy a Chrysler again = Good idea

The service writer seemed like he wanted to talk to me about this in person (he hited that there's more to the story) but they record the phone calls so... he was chosing his workds carefully. He was gone before I got there though.

 

[f4kev]

Its time to find a new dealership:wave:. It sound like they suck a*&:nunu:! I checked my coolant and all looks good. No goo under the radiator cap or the coolant reservoir. Unless it is at the bottom of the coolant reservoir.

 

[JerseyNitro]

I've got to agree with f4kev. You need a new dealer. Your present dealship sounds like they don't want to cover anything under warranty. Try another dealer and you might be pleasantly surprised (hopefully). I'd check to see if there's any other Nitro owners on the board here that are close to you and can personally recommend a dealership. Good luck.

 

[NitroCharger]

Anything new goin' on??

 

[mdwcalif]

My apologies for not being more on top of this. My life is kind of exploding at the moment. Upon reading this latest update, I grabbed my flashlight and headed out to my garage, resolved to finally CHECK THIS. Whereupon, after opening the garage door and seeing my Nitro NOT THERE, I remembered that I had to park around the block tonight because they're re-paving my street. That's how much sleep I'm NOT getting, or how senile I've become, or something!

I'm worried about this and really do need to check it. Remember about a month ago, the SBA exhaust mechanic found the oil leaking out of my A/C cooler? Dealership replaced some parts, but my A/C is again blowing warm .. already. So I very well might have some of those same symptoms that SRT4Driver is finding, and I will check. I just have a few too many emergencies going on at home and at work. In a way, I don't wanna know, yet, 'cause I can't handle finding a solution. Got to get some of these other crises handled first.

I will check asap and give you some input, because as a fellow whistler I know the data is important to your research.

 

[mdwcalif]

OK, finally checked it. My fluids are all clear. No sludge.

 

[SRT4Driver]

Anything new goin' on??

Not really... Though, I'm starting to thinking the sludge is simply dried up coolant. After looking around on-line a bit I found a few places mention that the new "HOAT" & Dex cool coolants (the red stuff) will start to gel up if exposed to air long enough. In my case, I think the fact that they didn't top off my cooling system left air in the radiator and obviously the reservoir.

I'm going to have them flush it out, and like fcsallan said, if it comes back then they'll have no excuse, and we'll know it's not "normal".

 

[SRT4Driver]

OK, finally checked it. My fluids are all clear. No sludge.

Ok thanks, I guess this means it's fairly safe to assume this gunk has nothing to do with the whistle.

Hope things calm down for you, it stink when life gets all disrupted.

 

[mdwcalif]

SRT4Driver, yep you're right I think in assuming that the sludge is unrelated to the whistle. I feel for ya my friend, you are doing such a great job with your brain and your efforts. I think the Dodge Angels should bless you with complete and total relief, magically, from every problem you've found. But I know, you'd still want to know WHY it ever happened in the first place! You've done more than your share of work to figure stuff out, it's time for a reward now. I wish I knew a way to make it happen!