OK, so heres the problem:

closeup:

source:


The car is a 99 4cyl auto accord ex. I flushed the radiator out and the oily substance has not left. So I guess it's either transmission fluid or oil. Has anyone ever seen this mix before?

 

Why is there tranmission fluid/oil in your radiator?

 

That looks like the stuff you use to stop a leaking radiator. Looks like it's leaking again. You're probably better off replacing everything on your coolant system and start anew (radiator, hoses, thermostat, clamps, fluid, etc.).

 

Ditto

 

yup u better replace..i had that prob b4 on my daddy car

 

Has your car ever overheated?

You may have a blown head gasket. From what I can see in the picture it looks like engine oil has made its way into the coolant. If it has than your problem may be more serious than you think. Check your oil (drain it into something wide and flat) to see if there is antifreeze in it. If there is you need to stop driving it immediately and have it towed to a shop.

 

I'm with CWM. Did this car ever overheat? Aluminum Heads + driving while it is overheating = a blown head gasket.

 

the car just overheated for the first time yesterday, when i say overheated i mean the temp gauge went warmer than normal, not too close to red though. So yeah I just bought the car, I didnt even think about checking in the radiator when i was looking under the hood. I thought it might be stop leak stuff but i flushed it and it came back. I guess I'll check the oil for antifreeze any other advice, suggestions or comments welcome.

edit: btw the nasty oilly sludge was primarily in the top hose off the radiator not much in the bottom hose at all. Dunno what that means, maybe the stuff floats.

 

I could be wrong but i think the automatics use the same radiator to cool off the tranny fluid, maybe they are mixing somehow.

 

I don't think any of these car's have tranny coolers. That's the condenser that's part of the radiator I believe.

That's a serious problem, if you just bought the car, take that back! Have them fix that junk! That's not a good sign at all. Looks like your car cought a cold, that stuff looks snotty!