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Milky clay like stuff in the coolant, can I flush the coolant system

Tiny
YOUNGHB
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 144,579 MILES
My wife was driving and the car stopped. She got to safety and didn’t see anything unusual. When I got there I noticed she did not have a oil filter on the car. It must have fallen off because her oil change was up to date. I looked at the coolant and saw milky clay like stuff in there. I wanna flush, but only if it will be alright. Can I thoroughly flush if the car won’t start? Car did not overheat, if anything it’s the starter that might be bad. I don't know how long the coolant been looking like that (my fault).
Any extra advice will be appreciated.
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Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 AT 12:20 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

The fact that the oil filter fell off means the engine has been run with no oil. The engine may be locked up from no oil pressure.

Does it crank over?

Can you upload a video of what it sounds like when you try to start it?

Roy
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Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
YOUNGHB
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Yes, I hear the car turn over. She also clicks. The battery was checked at AutoZone. I got a jump and the car came to life for a couple of seconds. But that was before I found out about the oil filter being off and the ugly coolant.
We don’t live that far from where the car gave out. I will send a video as soon as I can. Thanks for your time Roy.
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Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 AT 2:01 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Keep us updated.

Roy
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Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 AT 2:03 PM
Tiny
YOUNGHB
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I went back yesterday, I put more oil and got another jump and the car came to life. I got help flushing the radiator out. The car wasn’t running hot. I change the air filter also (reduced power light went away). The car may need spark plugs (next project I guess).
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 7:03 AM
Tiny
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The battery is dead.

Did you have it running? If you did, does the engine make any noise while running?

Roy
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
YOUNGHB
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The battery was fine according to AutoZone. I believe she just needed some oil in her. I’m glad the engine didn’t lock. Also glad I saw that ugly coolant. The video is during the flush.
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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No, the battery is dead. Remember, they employ parts salesman not technicians. From your video, the battery does not have enough power to start.

Start there by either charging it to 12.6 volts or replacing it.

Roy
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Saturday, November 9th, 2019 AT 4:50 AM

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