I'd just parked my 1996 Nissan Sentra in the driveway, when I heard a ''chug, chug, chug'' sound coming from the engine. I lifted the hood to see the antifreeze had splattered inside the engine (so it must be leaking or loose somehow) and that it had to turned a thick brown (like oatmeal) consistency? The antifreeze continued to drip and fall like overcooked oatmeal onto the driveway.
Do I need to have it towed at this point. I'm nervous about turning on the car. What would explain this situation? The antifreeze was changed just recently by a Korean mechanic who also flushed it and changed the water pump and fan belts. Right now, it's not green at all but thick and pasty. Looks nasty. I've never seen this before. Will I be able to drive it to the mechanic or does it need to be towed?
Thanks for reading. This is my only car. I hope this doesn't spell the end.
Have it towed DO NOT RUN IT !!! Likely what you are seeing is engine oil in cooling system. (you will likely have coolant in oil as well, and a blown head gasket.Removing the oil fill cap you may find similar residue there) Antfreeze is not a good lubricant and can damage crankshaft bearings.
Did the engine overheat or run very low on coolant (reason for change of pump)? If so the head gasket problem was caused by that.
Only time I ever had oil in the coolant other than a blown head gasket or intake leak (on GM cars) was a really long time ago when I pumped a huge amount of grease into the water pump (they had fittings on them for grease) on my moms old 1954 plymouth. Far easier to fix than a head gasket.
Good luck.
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Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it. It does look like oil in the coolant. Which is why it has that dark brown consistency.
I'll just have it towed.
The car didn't overheat or run low on coolant, prior to the changing of the pump. But I have not flushed out or replaced the coolant for ... I don't know how many years. Then the pump started making an odd squeaking sound, which is why I brought it in the garage.
Thanks for the heads up. Truly kind of you to help out. At least I'll have an idea of what to expect: a head gasket that needs to be replaced. I thought it was something defective with the new pump, and that brought it on.
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