What's this? Sludgy coolant near the heads?

[silvachris1]

I was about to change my thermostat the other day (car was running way to warm). I notice a little reflection near the valve pan covers. I changed my coolant last year so I don't really think this is from that. I took a rag and a screw driver and scraped out some of what I could see. It was dexcool coolant, and was really sludgy. There was even a piece of glass setting down in that recess. Here's a picture http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...6_111_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...6_112_full.jpg
Does anybody think I have a problem I need to take care of? I haven't been loosing any coolant, and there hasn't been any more build up there. What do you all think?

[3.4 [deployed]]

I wouldn't worry about it. I just wonder where the piece of glass came from....

Have you thought of polishing you valve covers any??? [img]graemlins/stickpoke.gif[/img]

[silvachris1]

Well, the car was wrecked/rebuilt before I got it, so I'm guessin that's where the glass came from. Eh, I thought about dressing up the engine bay a little bit, but I don't have anything under the hood to show off. Lol. I did clean everything under there after I replaced the t-stat but still...

[Ian]

do a search on Dexcool.....youll find out just how crappy that crap is

[silvachris1]

I know how crappy the stuff is, that's not what I was worried about. I was worried that I might have a problem I can't see.

[99pewterv6]

go get a power flush and get the green coolent instead of the dexcool

[silvachris1]

You guys aren't getting what I'm saying. The coolant that is IN the radiator/overflow/engine is all fine. It's NOT sludgy in there. The stuff in the pic, on the OUTSIDE of my engine is what I'm concerned with.

[BLLDOGG]

its just probably coolant that was left over or a leak. watch it and see if its leaking

[Ian]

yea, it looks to be puddeled up from a leak.

1) Hose it out, or use a spray bottle to get all the stuff out
2) Use an air hose and dry the area

3) Drive it for a day or two and see if it comes back.

[silvachris1]

Thanks.