Got this V6 RS less than a year ago, and by the looks of it, the previous owner had no pride in ownership, which translates to a huge number of maintenance issues I have worked or am working.

Anyway, I replaced the clutch, and found two freeze plugs festering and leaking on the back of the engine. When I got them out, there was a ton of rust chunks (big chunks) which I dug out of the holes before replacing the plugs. The heater did not work, so I found the metal heater lines were clogged with rust chunks (big chunks). All disturbing.

Question: With so many rust chunks floating around in the engine coolant passages, should I be worried about the integrity of the block and heads. I am really wanting to rebuild the engine, and intended to have a hot bath and magnaflux done, but would this amount of rust make the block unusable? Should I just look for another block or engine?

Obviously, in my mind, the radiator and heater lines/core, and many other coolant associated items, are going to be replaced at the same time. Start over clean. Thanks.

 

Not likely to degrede the integrity of the block and heads much. Just a problem with things leaking and/or clogging up in the cooling system.

FYI- use a garden hose and try flushing water through the heater core in the REVERSE direction from how it normally flows. I've had pretty good luck unclogging some pretty badly crudded up heater cores over the years diong this.

Shove the end of the garden hose up against the end of the heater core hose and hold them together with your hands so it can build up a little pressure. If it works you'll see globs of rusty crud flow out the end of the other heater core hose. Go back and forth a few times until it flows clean and without restriction. Sure beats replacing a heater core!