Perkins 30 anti-freeze sludge

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R

Ron

I have a Perkins 30 engine in my 1994 Cataline 320. I noticed some sludge in the bottom of the anti-freeze over-flow jug. Is this normal ? How do I go about flushing a system like this ?
 
J

John

Sludge

When I replaced my overflow container(For a Universal M25)I had some debris, but not sludge. Can you determine what it is? Is it oily? I would be concerned if it is and think it might be a head gasket.
 
R

Ron

John re: sludge

What I am referring to as sludge appears to be like mud. It is light brown in colour and has settled on the bottom of the container. I just did an oil change and found no evidence of water in the oil. (emulsification).
 
J

John

Sludge

What does the coolant look like under the pressure cap? Do you have an idea when the last time the antifreeze was changed? Have you ever overheated? Have you ever retorqued the head? If the gasket is shot or the head warped wouldn't the high compression of a diesel force the diesel fuel from the combustion chamber to a cooling passage?
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,078
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Anti Freeze change out

Ron If you check your engine manual you will undoubtedly find that you should flush out your anti freeze on a somewhat reasonably regular interval - it doesn't last forever. The manual should also show you where the drain plugs are located. You may need to drain most of it out, but not all of it, and then, when the cap is off, take a hose inside, stir up the sludge and drain it all out. Too heavy to shake it! Stu
 
R

Ron

thanks all

Thanks for the comments. With 550 hours on the engine, I will change the anti-freeze and have the head re-torqued, as I don't think it was done in the past. Ron
 
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