Chunky Brown Sludge in Coolant Tank...
 

I thought my coolant was low because on the gauge it showed 1/3 full but when i started to fill up brown crap came out of it right away.

First picture show what came out when I initially filled up

Second picture shows the bottom after taking out the coolant

Third shows in the inside wall with the brown gunk caked on

Fill it up with water and sucked it out a few times and the brown crap didnt come off the walls.

As for the last picture it shows new coolant added after "cleaning"

I did research on here and I fear the worse then just a "oil cooler"

How screwed am I?

Nasty coolant is never a good sign. Pull your dip stick and see what it looks like. If you have a chocolate milkshake there too, you have lost $$$ in your future. Good luck with your investigation.

I would start with removing oil cooler and taking it to a radiator shop to have it pressure-tested. They will be able to instantly tell you if it has a leak or not.
Good luck

Oh boy, that is UGLY.

Oil in coolant = bad.

my 944 I had coolant looked like that, it was the oil cooler/oil cooler seals

I hope it is the cooler. But have I done any engine damage?

violametallic...

If your engine is not overheating or puffing white smoke and running smooth you probably will be ok.

Once you replace the oil cooler you may want to fill it up only with water, run the engine, drain fill up again, run the engine, drain, etc, etc, until the water comes clean, then fill it again with destilled water and the proper antifreeze mix.

Think optimistic.. :-)

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Thanks Gilles, engine is running well no over heating or smoke.

im hoping for the best

yeah they had to flush the oil and coolant a couple times in my 944 to get rid of all the goop

I've heard of folks using Dawn dishwashing detergent to get rid of oil contamination in the oil system. You'll be an expert in the art of flushing and air venting by the time you're done. The O-ring seals on the oil cooler might be the source if you're lucky. Hate to think it's a head gasket.

Don't drive the car in this condition. I wouldn't even start it. Drain the oil, if there is no water or "milkshake" in it, then there's a good chance its just a failed oil cooler.

Violametallic,

I would not use soap... :eek:

Actually Prestone has a product called "cooling system flush or radiator flush" that you add to the cooling system and let the engine run for a while to clean all the passages and radiators (open the heater valve)

However, this is an agresive chemical (for prolonged contact with aluminum) that must be neutralized (by another Prestone product) and afterwards to will want to flush several times until your water comes off clean.

It will take you most of the day because every time you add coolant you want the thermostat to be fully open, the good part is that both of the Prestone products will cost you a little over $10 ...

again, good luck!

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Not likely to be the oil cooler but the oil cooler seals... They need to be replaced once in awhile. See photo of what happens to them over time (they break-down and crumble).

is this something I can fix on my own?

Look at figure 7 in this DIY.
Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Starter Replacement - 986 / 987

Man that's ugly. Let us know what your dealer says is the problem.

How much would an oil cooler cost me? and where to look?

About $200 or so from Sunset Porsche. Be sure to replace all the orings or you will have leaks.....

I get all my parts from the dealership........... where they are installed. No grease under these nails. ;)

No Grease under your nails....hmmm.....good for you and your wallet!

wow!:ah: