Cloudy antifreeze in radiator

Keep an eye on the oil. That's what will cost you. If it's creamy there you know you got an issue. Lot's of time you'll see that cream under the oil cap even if it's real bad.

Just my 2c's. When I spun a wrench the old joke was the dirtier the engine the better it ran. Sometimes removing scales open up possibilities that the scales were holding back. My gut thinks you're OK. I might spend another 40 bucks and dump the antifreeze and put in all new. This after using only distilled water to flush with.

mike brez wrote:
Hey Gary I hope it is just some of the cleaner residue left behind. As long as it's not milky cause that would be a head gasket and a pita to fix. Been there done that.

I hope it is just residue also but I have never seen cloudy radiator fluid before, naturally I suspected oil. I had some difficulty starting it this spring, it took 2 or three cranks to get it going so I ran a can of Seafoam down the throttle body. A mouse got inside my air cleaner and left turds and egg corns, clean that all out and notice one turd on top of the throttle plate when I opened the plate there was black stuff at the bottom on the LH side the RH side was clean. I soaked that overnight with Berrymens B-12 chemtool and removed as much stuff as I could. Off course I smoked up the neighborhood but it still was hard starting several days ago and and fell flat when I gave it gas some white smoke came out the pipe but it had not warmed up yet but went away and ran fine once it warmed up. I'm not sure what is worst a leaking head gasket of having to replace the radiator.

I really like the Prestone chemical flush. It does a great job in my opinion. On large cooling systems I use 2 bottles.

I always do a DOUBLE rinse with a 20-30 minute drive in between (heater(s) on full) before refilling.

Hey Gary I hope it is just some of the cleaner residue left behind. As long as it's not milky cause that would be a head gasket and a pita to fix. Been there done that.

I let it sit for several days and compared it to the old antifreeze I drained out. Old stuff was yellow and clear you could see through. The new stuff was lighter yellow and cloudy. I expected to see oil on top after letting it sit and clear anti freeze underneath, but it was just homogeneous.

If the coolant turns kind of milky white emulsion when the engine is running there is a good chance you have a leak between the lube system and the cooling system - quite likely at the oil cooler. The lube system operates at higher psi than the cooling system so it will push oil into the coolant. If you have to travel somewhere before repairs leave the rad resevoir cap loose so it can overflow a bit if it has to. These leaks are often very slow at first.

What is puzzling is why it appeared suddenly after a flush... the flush compound should not hurt the cooler....

I would be tempted to look at it like Artum Snowbird says ...

Would appreciate you posting what you found.

Lab test the coolant is a good plan.

I would say remove some and let it settle. If oil rises to the top, you have a problem for sure. If it clears and does not separate, it should be OK.