Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Coolant gone, sludge on cap

16K views 35 replies 16 participants last post by  GreenRubi 
#1 ·
I looked at another 2012 model today. Very clean and well cared for specimen. Has around 55,000 miles on it. However, when I popped the hood I noticed the coolant bottle was empty. Hmmm.. I popped the radiator cap and there was a flesh colored nasty sludge all over the bottom of the cap that dripped off like slime.

I'm assuming that's related to the casting sand issue...same one that kills the heater cores on 2012 models. But can you guys tell me the exact symptoms of the early Pentastar head issues? This is a late '11 build Jeep and it is probably equipped with the faulty style heads. I can't see any markings indicating the heads have been swapped. I don't want to buy this Jeep if it's got a head issue that is causing the coolant to disappear.
 
#3 ·
I'm assuming that's related to the casting sand issue...same one that kills the heater cores on 2012 models.
It also happens on 2010 models. Ask me how I know...:atomic:
 
#4 ·
I looked at another 2012 model today. Very clean and well cared for specimen. Has around 55,000 miles on it. However, when I popped the hood I noticed the coolant bottle was empty. Hmmm.. I popped the radiator cap and there was a flesh colored nasty sludge all over the bottom of the cap that dripped off like slime. I'm assuming that's related to the casting sand issue...same one that kills the heater cores on 2012 models. But can you guys tell me the exact symptoms of the early Pentastar head issues? This is a late '11 build Jeep and it is probably equipped with the faulty style heads. I can't see any markings indicating the heads have been swapped. I don't want to buy this Jeep if it's got a head issue that is causing the coolant to disappear.
Casting sand issue? What is that?
 
#6 ·
During the manufacturing process of the engine block sand is used as the mold material. Once the block hardens the sand is discarded and the block is supposed to be washed well enough that none of the sand ends up in the internal passages in the engine. If the process isn't done correctly you get sand in the system which looks like a beige/brown goop when mixed with coolant. If enough is trapped in the engine it clogs the passages, radiator, heater core, etc. and you can see some of it that settles in the coolant expansion tank. If your expansion tank has this material in the bottom of it the system has to be thoroughly flushed.
 
#10 ·
I would stay away from that one.
Take your time and continue your Search!!!!!!!
 
#13 ·
It's possible but in this case, based upon the description, not likely. The reason I say that is because the lack of coolant in the tank indicates that something else is going on. It could be as simple as a ton of stop leak was added and it didn't work. It has to be physically diagnosed. I think the OP should pass and let someone else deal with it, like whoever currently owns it. I would think that if someone is trying to sell a vehicle that at least they should make sure that there's coolant in the tank.
 
#17 ·
This is, in fact, the casting sand issue. It's really common on 2012 models. Some 2013s even have it. Dealer called me first thing this morning and said they have sent the Jeep to the local Chrysler dealership and that dealership will go through the cooling system and repair anything that needs replaced.

Judging by the other thread (which I started in October 2012) it looks like the way the dealers are handling this now is that they replace the heater core AND the radiator, and fully flush the engine. As long as the engine has never been over-heated that should take care of the issue permanently.

They're supposed to call me when they get the Jeep back to their own lot. I'll go drive it then and check the heads to see if they were already done under the TSB for that which is apparently a separate issue.
 
#18 ·
Just dropped my 13' build date of March off at the dealer. Very low coolant, orangish pink color with about 1 1/2 inches s of brown sludge of sorts at the bottom. Took in two samples. One of the top of the reservoir and one with the bottom sludge. Dropped off at 9am haven't heard a peep as of 4pm. They gave me a Chrysler 200 to drive.
I originally had an appt for the double shift second to third fiasco and just threw this ontop. Gotta say my dealership is top notch so far as taking care of my needs. Curious to see what the outcome is. Worried about the headgasket since my level was low.
 
#19 ·
The expansion tank "sludge" is usually from the 2 tablets of Stop Leak that is installed at the factory, this is also the source of the smoky/cloudy looking coolant when you remove the radiator cap and look inside. Even 2015 models are getting this stuff settling in there.
 
#23 ·
LOL...If it looks like shit, smells like shit, then you probably don't want to taste it cause guess what.....it probably is shit. Yes run....don't walk.
 
#22 ·
Apparently they use it in case there is a "small" QC problem with a part or something during assembly. There's a pretty long thread somewhere about finding out what this "sludge" is everyone is finding and it turned out the be the stop leak.

The coolant will look very different when you open the radiator and shine a light in, same with when you pop the expansion tank cap and look inside vs looking through the side of the tank. It's kind of trippy. My coolant does not look purple when I remove the cap and look in the radiator, but it is purple when looking through the side of the reservoir.

Anyway, hope the dealer comes back with good news.
 
#27 ·
Ive seen people pull up threads out of circa 1970, Month old is still fresh son.

Well spoke to the service tech and he does not think it's stop leak. He said why would they use stop leak from the factory.... uh maybe to squeak by on a minimal non passing leak test is probably why. Anyhow been there for 24 hrs and no one has touched it yet. Guess there not to much in a rush seeing how im in a rental. Just don't want them tearing everything apart if all it needs is a flush.

I read through all the threads concerning this issue from the 12s,13s and some 14s. Some say casting sand, stop leak, mixing of coolants ( no no). The fact that multiple years are experiencing this is a big red flag on Cbrysler/Fiat.
 
#28 ·
Ive seen people pull up threads out of circa 1970, Month old is still fresh son.
You're hijacking someone else's thread, "son"... :)

Well spoke to the service tech and he does not think it's stop leak. He said why would they use stop leak from the factory.... uh maybe to squeak by on a minimal non passing leak test is probably why. Anyhow been there for 24 hrs and no one has touched it yet. Guess there not to much in a rush seeing how im in a rental. Just don't want them tearing everything apart if all it needs is a flush.

I read through all the threads concerning this issue from the 12s,13s and some 14s. Some say casting sand, stop leak, mixing of coolants ( no no). The fact that multiple years are experiencing this is a big red flag on Cbrysler/Fiat.
If you haven't read through this entire thread then you're missing out. The tech obviously doesn't know that every vehicle gets Stop Leak before it leaves the factory so he has no foot to stand on as far as if there's anything wrong if they haven't even looked at it.

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f202/2013-discolored-coolant-610658.html

Hope you have a bit of time, it's a long thread with a lot of good info but the truth doesn't come out until you get close to the end.
 
#31 ·
You and this old thread kick give it a break man. Three weeks is not old. I already read the discolored coolant thread, along with the others. Whats your malfunction?

Do you have factual proof these engines came factory with stop leak in them as you confidently say? Be great cause then I could throw it in the guys face. If not then you are just spouting off what your read from the others.

How do you hijack a thread when the issue and concerns are the same. If I came in here asking what wheel and tire combo I should get? Then yea ill flock off.
 
#34 ·
Just fyi... yes I did pass on that Jeep. The dealer sent it to a Jeep dealership to be "repaired". I called that dealership on my own while the Jeep was there to see what they were going to do to it, KNOWING what needed to be done to it, and they said they just topped off the coolant and everything checked out OK. That, and BOTH heads had already been replaced on it. Having been to that rodeo before with my '12 model I decided to pass on it and I actually moved on completely.

Thanks though guys. Maybe I'll see some of you on the trails this year.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top