coolant looks like chocolate whipped cream???

[casual180]

It had been run hot one day because the fan did not come on. it was parked and then drained the radiator. It looked like a chocolate milk shake so I filled it up with radiator fluid and drove another couple of weeks toping it off hear and there. Every time I filled it It looked like a layer of foamy chocolate came out till it was full with the new coolant??? has anybody had this problem or know what could be causing it? I was wondering if a flush would get the gunk out or if this is a head gasket issue? Oh I also don't have an overflow bottle hooked up I have it blocked off. Any suggestions would be appreciated! I am stumped.

[cobradvm]

What does the oil look like? Sounds like a blown head gasket. How does the car run otherwise?

[ShieldsMustang]

Did the foam go away? Maybe oil is getting into the water jackets. Is the foam still appearing? If so, it sounds like a blown head gasket.

[LLCoolStang]

I'd say most likely a blown/leaky HG, discolored radiator fluid probable due to air getting in from the blown HG. Could also have a cracked head which would do the same kind of thing. If your so inclined, you can check for a blown HG by using a compressor to pump air into each spark plug hole,(need a good seal), remove the radiator cap and watch for bubbles/leaking fluid. It could also be a leaky/faulty water pump..you said you were re-filling so I assume your losing fluid. Temps still high?

[Big Top GT]

If the car's an automatic you can also have the radiator crossover tube for tranny fluid crack. It causes the tranny fluid to mix with coolant and vice versa.

You'd get a milkshake that way too.

For the record: I think it's a bad head gasket, too.

Here's a picture/video of what a bad radiator can cause:

[Blk88GT]

Big Top, that's not a good sign. lol

[casual180]

my temperatures are fine and the car runs fine?? Thats why I didn't think it was the head gasket. It dose seem to drop coolant a little ever time I go to add more there is a one inch layer of chocolate foam but when I top it off I let it flow out and its gone till the next time I go to top it off(usually a week later because I don't drive the car that much)I also don't have the tranny cooler hooked up at the radiator. I have a manual valve body. Oh and this is a new radiator also.

[Big Top GT]

When a head gasket is bad there are only a few places it can go.

1. It can push a coolant passage into an oil passage. This causes milkshake in the oil pan. (This is the least desirable condition.)

2. You can push an oil passage into a coolant passage. This usually causes milkshake in the coolant. (it can push back into the oil, too.)

3. Coolant passage can push into the exhaust. (If you have to pick, this is the one you want.) This causes the coolant to burn off as steam. Most people usually blame the radiator as having a leak, since it's not all that messy and the coolant disappears.

Personally, I think you pushed the oil passage into the coolant. That's why you're getting milkshake coolant.

[cmb91LX]

What if the oil is kinda milky but the coolant is still nice and green?

I am having a hard time determining if the oil is milky. I took a piece of white copy paper and wiped the dipstick on it and held it to a light. Without the light, the oil is brown but looking through the paper into a light, it looks yellow? Blown head gasket?

[97minitaco]

Well, the oil isnt going into your radiator.... the coolant is getting into the oil, so it will look nice and green. As for wiping it on a piece of paper, doubt that will work. Wipe water onto a piece of paper, and it will look the same in the light. Kind of a yellowish tint to it as well.