MMMMMMMM CRUSTY!!

[katsi]

Anybody know what to expect next? I'll set up the senerio for ya - The car runs great but, I still have not yet had the opportunity to put that to the test (still working on brakes and cooling system). But, starts easily and idels nicely. Revs up and everything. No smoke, No steam. But, when I was removing the water hose that feeds into top of the head, I found a lot of black crusty goodies hidden in there. I have never seen anything like it befor. It is clogged with this black crusty stuff. Anyone ever seen this befor? Yeah, I know, that could account for the lack of steam comming from the tail pipe.

[Europa]

Radiator stop leak additive?

How's your radiator? (since you mentioned you're working on the cooling system).

[ga.spyder]

Yep,that definitely sounds like Bars Leak radiator sealer.A lot of people over the years have used that stuff to stop small leaks(including yours truly)
Craig

[katsi]

Lets see, the radiator does not leak but I have a new one that I am going to replace it with and I never really checked it out due to this fact. I've only run it for short bursts and never enough to get hot even to the touch.

If it is some sort of product, how do I get it out? A long pointy stick?

[manoa matt]

That Bars stuff is usually grey or silver in color. Since its black, its most likely bits of the hoses. The cooling hoses degrade from the inside out and after a while small bits will dislodge from the inside surfaces of the hoses. Since they float and that hose is one of the high points in the system you are likely to find it there. I've also seen some pretty nasty stuff come out of the heater core and heater tubes that was black. Since the heater dosen't get used much the coolant just sits in it for months at a time.

Installing a Prestone flushing "T" in the heater hose will help to dislodge and remove most of that junk.

[katsi]

Cool, thanks for the advice. I just hope that I can flush it out .

[htchevyii]

Alumaseal is silver, bars Leak is brown or black. I've had alot of old cars and have never seen hoses deteriate that bad, so I'd lean toward the stop leak, but who knows? On my '72 it sat for 24 years and the coolant in the rad still was green and liquid, but in the aluminum, (head and waterneck) the coolant turned into some sort of a white soild. Definitely flush it well.

[manoa matt]

The cooling system is the most neglected system on any car...but it is the most important. Coolant should be replaced religiously every two years and all hoses every 4 years regardless of visual inspections. Stop leak additives are only temporary solutions and not very good ones at that. They usually cause more trouble than they cure. The original Fiat radiator has pretty thin cooling tubes and stop leak products will accelerate the blockage of the tubes leading to decreased cooling capacity.

Similar to "slime" for tire leaks. Stops the leak temporarily, but upsets tire balance, and makes cleaning the tire and rim nearly impossible when you actually need to change the tire. Don't neglect the real problem.

[htchevyii]

I wasn't recommending stop leak, I think the stuff is an awful idea, just saying I think the black stuff was stop leak. I don't think I know anyone, who has ever changed their hoses every 4 years, that would cost a fortune on a new car.

[manoa matt]

Htchevyii, I hope i didn't offend you, didn't mean too. But your last sentence only further illustrates my point about the most neglected system. "I don't think I know anyone, who has ever changed their hoses every 4 years" $35 will replace all the fiat system hoses. That's cheap for a once every 4 years expense, compared to the cost of an unexpected busted hose. But I do share your sentiments about new cars. One hose may cost $35, and that's If you have the "special tools" to remove it, let alone the access.