Thanks for the reply. I have not driven the car on any real distance as the gauge freaks me out and I opt to keep things very local. I drained the oily water-soap today from the radiator. It wasn't much liquid. I suppose the thermostat didn't open. Here is what I was assuming I would do to get things cleaned out:
- Drain.
- Fill with two cups of detergent and the rest water.
- Start the engine with the coolant cap off.
- Let it idle until the water level in the overflow tank drops. I assumed this to mean the thermostat opened and is pulling water/detergent into the block.
- Top-off the overflow tank and allow the engine to continue idling. Monitor for engine temperature.
- Repeat.
Is my process flawed?
Silly question, but if I keep my expansion tank cap off will the thermostat ever open? Does the thermostat need both temperature and pressure to function properly? I've never thought to think about this until now.
Oil is coming from the passenger-side (US-spec) between the cylinder head and the block. Near the front of the engine underneath the exhaust manifold.