Purchased truck used in 2012. That winter, the heat cut out. Took to mechanic who stated that the cooling system was full of a thick butterscotch color/consistency substance. His guess was that previous owner poured a radiator fix product into the cooling system before selling it or that the factory radiator fluid broke down causing the sludge.
Their remedy was to replace the heater core and water pump, doing at least 6 flushes of the system, two of which were flushed with vinegar and water after a 12 hour soaking. I have had 2 thermostats replaced and many, many flushes later. the sludge seems to get caught in the heater core, so that has been flushed many, many times. The heat continues to work so long as the heater core is flushed regularly while we wait for the sludge to exit the system.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Purchased truck used in 2012. That winter, the heat cut out. Took to mechanic who stated that the cooling system was full of a thick butterscotch color/consistency substance. His guess was that previous owner poured a radiator fix product into the cooling system before selling it or that the factory radiator fluid broke down causing the sludge.
Their remedy was to replace the heater core and water pump, doing at least 6 flushes of the system, two of which were flushed with vinegar and water after a 12 hour soaking. I have had 2 thermostats replaced and many, many flushes later. the sludge seems to get caught in the heater core, so that has been flushed many, many times. The heat continues to work so long as the heater core is flushed regularly while we wait for the sludge to exit the system.
- sann, Buffalo, NY, US