Coolant and white powdery stuff... - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Axeman82 · 02-07-2004, 03:29

Does coolant react with anything to make it white powdery looking?

Cos I looked under my car to see a patch of trans fluid (not the problem because I know why that is there) and opened the bonnet and coming out from under the heat shield was some coolant which was on some white stuff and was also sprayed onto the steering column. Looked to me to be due to some chemical reaction...

Haven't had a chance to find exact source but will look tomorrow.

I really hoping this isn't head gasket no. 2 but I seriously doubt it. I am baffled...

Dan...

MADNC_8 · 02-07-2004, 03:34

certainly sounds like a HG to me.

is it kinda milky, like it could be oil and coolant mixed?.
open the oil cap and tell us what colour oil is?

Axeman82 · 02-07-2004, 03:42

Nah oil is fine... it isn't milky.. this stuff is powdery... and the car still runs and idles fine with no exhaust leaks into the coolant either (no excess pressure build up)

I'm thinking a leaking welch plug that is reacting with trans fluid, degreaser... arrgghhh..

**** me.. i don't know...

Axeman82 · 02-07-2004, 04:09

Looks like a green battery terminal corrosion but is directly under the head shield below no. 3 and 4... thats about as accurate a description as I can give...

I locked my keys under the bonnet to get that description... I almost have breaking into my car down to an art...

Dan...

MADNC_8 · 02-07-2004, 04:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axeman82

Looks like a green battery terminal corrosion but is directly under the head shield below no. 3 and 4... thats about as accurate a description as I can give...

I locked my keys under the bonnet to get that description... I almost have breaking into my car down to an art...

Dan...

LOL, whoops.

so is this stuff near a welch plug?
or near an earth strap mounting point? if near teh earth strap point, it could be just batt terminal crap.

Axeman82 · 02-07-2004, 14:41

Pulled the heat shield off and its welch plugs. They are leaking a little in each one and the white powdery stuff must be it burning due to the exhaust heat.

Dan...

galapogos01 · 02-07-2004, 14:50

yep, its burnt/dried coolant. some coolants tend to do it more than others - the tectaloy gold i had didnt do it at all, but this stuff im running now leaves huge white marks. looks ugly if you get a leak, but easy to find them :D

Jase

MADNC_8 · 02-07-2004, 15:13

well when you change em, spend the few extra bucks and get the brass ones rather than the tin ones. they'll last a lifetime, and that one around at the beack of the head is an absolute fcuk