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Dark Brown Sludge in Radiator PLEASE HELP! :(

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Dark Brown Sludge in Radiator PLEASE HELP! :(

Hi, Im fairly new round here but Im hoping you can help me!!

I drive a '83 1.3 4 speed mk1 golf in mars red, just done a fair bit to the appearance of the car but recently I checked my coolant level and i opened the cap to find a thick rusty coloured dark brown sludge in the radiator. :banghead:
This had only started building up when I had flushed the radiator and added some new antifreeze ready for storage in winter.

Could anybody please give me some advice please and if there is a fix I can do myself.

Replies very appreciated, Thankyou!

Mk1 Golf '83 1.3 Mars Red, Ats Classics, Coilys, Chrome Bumpers and GTI interior.. LOVE IT! :D

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There must be somebody with an idea!  :(

Mk1 Golf '83 1.3 Mars Red, Ats Classics, Coilys, Chrome Bumpers and GTI interior.. LOVE IT! :D

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Its an old car.

Flush it all out again and refill with antifreeze mix. As long as it doesn't over heat or loose water all is well. Repeat flush and antifreeze refresh every 2 years.

Think if you mix different types of anitifreeze (G11 vs G12?) it can go a mucky colour.  :dontknow:

1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet

The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.

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Ok pal thanks for the advice,
just worried me a little because the sludge is really thick and is more solid than liquid but hey ho!
Al just flush it a few times and see if that does it any good :)

Mk1 Golf '83 1.3 Mars Red, Ats Classics, Coilys, Chrome Bumpers and GTI interior.. LOVE IT! :D

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If its really that bad I'd try one of the proprietary flushing additives to give it a good going through.

1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet

The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.

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flush system with a hosepipe, then fill it with plain water and a cup of bio washign powder run it till it gets good n hot then switch off engine allow to cool then flush out again. repeat till water is coming out clean, then refill with water n antifreeze mix :)

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



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Thanks alot guys, appreciated! :D

Mk1 Golf '83 1.3 Mars Red, Ats Classics, Coilys, Chrome Bumpers and GTI interior.. LOVE IT! :D
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