Steel Seal Sludged Up Rad - How To Clear ?

[V8RX7]

My wife's BMW was loosing a little water so thought I'd stick a Steel Seal in as the reviews were good.

However there's been a reaction between it and the coolant and what was clear red water is now red gel / sludge.

I've googled and can't see that this is a common occurance - so why's it happened and how do I clear it ?

[robinessex]

Local BMW garage, or an independant. The whole system will need a compehensive flush, plus finding and fixing the leak

[V8RX7]

No one unblocked their own rad ?

[powerstroke]

V8RX7 said:

No one unblocked their own rad ?

You could try taking the hoses off and giving it a flush with a garden hose
then running it with a rad flush ( better it you can remove the thermostat as well) , drain and refill with , clean water then if alls well 50/50 anti freeze mix ..

Edited by powerstroke on Wednesday 28th February 18:02

[spookly]

That sludge could cause hot spots if it isn't fully flushed from the engine block..... what were you thinking putting that rubbish in? The best way to fix a radiator leak is to get a new radiator.

[paintman]

From their website:
"**STEEL SEAL IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH All ANTIFREEZE FORMULATIONS** Therefore, for best results, coolant should be temporarily drained and replaced with fresh water. Once repaired, drain Steel Seal from the cooling system and replace with 50/50 antifreeze."
https://www.steelseal.com/how-to-use-faqs/

You're going to have to try & flush the whole system with clean water & hope you get it all out.
Probably going to need each part flushing separately.
Disconnect the hoses from the radiator & flush by inserting a hose.
To do the engine you're going to have to remove the thermostat as this will prevent water flow. Again, use a hosepipe.
I've no idea whether this will remain sludgey/jelly or harden so urgency is going to be the key.

[r11co]

paintman said:

I've no idea whether this will remain sludgey/jelly or harden so urgency is going to be the key.

It will stay sludgey if the engine isn't run to temperature, but even then there will be some narrow hoses and waterways that will be tricky to clear out fully.

Silly mistake!

[henrycrun]

Only try SteelSeal if you are prepared to scrap the car.
When I realised that the stuff was quickly turning into wallpaper paste, I frantically grabbed the garden hose out and flushed it all out - within an hour of putting it in

Edited by henrycrun on Wednesday 28th February 18:36

[TooMany2cvs]

If the rad's blocked, what about the heater matrix? And the finer channels in block and head and godknowswhat.

This is why I've long hated bodgegoop - and I didn't even know it caused red coolant to gel, but it doesn't surprise me particularly.

[227bhp]

Drain it off, refill with water, run it until warm, drain off. If stuff comes out you know its working so rinse & repeat until clear.
If that doesn't work come back for more abuse/ideas.

[russell_ram]

V8RX7 said:

so thought I'd stick a Steel Seal

OP - WTF where you thinking ?

[227bhp]

russell_ram said:

V8RX7 said:

BMW was loosing a little water

OP - WTF where you thinking ?

EFA

[oliversmith2003]

Same issue but worse here

I’m a bike Machanic and a 2 stroke came to me with a “blown head gasket” but turned out to be a water pump problem but seeing as they put steal seal in it reacted with the heat and coolant causing it to go into a gritty sluge which had to be scrapped off the cylinders and blown out with air im still trying to get it all out but am afraid to use vinegar or some other acid in case it makes it worse or damages the bike !!!!

DONT USE STEAL SEAL!!

You may get lucky but use at your own risk

[oliversmith2003]

Same issue but worse here

I’m a bike Machanic and a 2 stroke came to me with a “blown head gasket” but turned out to be a water pump problem but seeing as they put steal seal in it reacted with the heat and coolant causing it to go into a gritty sluge which had to be scrapped off the cylinders and blown out with air im still trying to get it all out but am afraid to use vinegar or some other acid in case it makes it worse or damages the bike !!!!

DONT USE STEAL SEAL!!

You may get lucky but use at your own risk