Brown coolant

[Galant Kid]

Just take a look:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/944kid/Galant%20Album/100_2027.jpg


I was having overheating problems before, let's say a month ago. Every now and again I have to check my levels so I'm sure I'm not losing any coolant, and now I come to find it's brown. I know what I put in was half green...


FWIW, my oil is not milkshake. I'm not running a thermostat either at the moment, so I overcool. Any guesses as to what's a-miss?

[mitgalantes]

to me that looks like rust color and it looks like there is rust resedue inside idk tho

[thebirdman13]

looks like your radiator cap receptacle is rusting out....

[RedGalant2k1]

rust in your coolant system. Have the coolant temperature tested to ensure proper cooling.

[Shadow19]

Mine rusted before my water pump went out.. Also.. It could rust if u use straight water.... Check your pump and flush your system.

[laxinwarrior]

^x2

It is also more likely to rust and/or corrode your coolant system if you do not use distilled water when mixing with the antifreeze.

[frag_daddy_2007]

i would do a coolant system flush. Clean it out good, then refill it with the 50/50 antifreeze premix

[SkylineG1]

Well obviously you have rust. Drain the system fully. Take your garden hose & put it to your radiator & just let the water run through untill you don't see any more rust. Then add coolant & test the tem level. Autozone or your local auto parts store will have a tester.

[milo111000]

what you gotta do is remove your radiator so you can flush it good. do it soon before you clog up your water passage. good luck.

[4-G-rim]

Your cooling system is contaminated with rust. Most likely your radiator core is the cause of it. It is best to take action now before it gets any worse. Get a radiator/cooling system flush done right before you replace your radiator.

Replace your thermostat too while you replace your radiator. Hopefully your water pump is ok and hopefully your heater core is too.

If you let it prolong, you will damage parts of your cooling system. You car will run alot more hot than normal which could lead to other more expensive failures due to the motor running hot...worst is a head gasket failure.

[gaylantvr4]

It also helps if you use distilled water. also you can use clr in your cooling system. Put it in with water and drive around a bit and reflush.

[4-G-rim]

It also helps if you use distilled water. also you can use clr in your cooling system. Put it in with water and drive around a bit and reflush.

Good call...I missed that recommendation. If you buy the premixed 50/50 coolant it is already mixed with distilled water. Tap water or non distilled water has minerals and sedements in them which promotes rust in the cooling system.

[Galant Kid]

Very good advice everyone, thanks! I'll have to do this at my friends shop, there's no way I can do it in my driveway...especially since we have no hose.

I'll update in a few weeks and see if it happens again.