Radiator Fluid Question???

[ssobel80]

Why would the fluid in my resorvoir be dirty and brown but when I look in the radiator, through the rad cap, the fluid is bright green and clean looking??

I have flushed and cleaned the resorvoir and filled with new fluid. After driving a short time it is back to the same dirty brown fluid in res.

Why wouldn't the fluid under the rad cap be brown and dirty also? Doesn't make sense that the fluid in top of rad isn't dirty also.

I plan on flushing the whole system this weekend.

I am wondering if there is some reason for this.

 

[shadowless127]

I had the same problem, I just took it to a service center and had them flush the entire system. Problem solved.

 

[Jstcruz]

Could be that the rad cap is not opening. Thats a quick easy fix to try, but get all that nasty water out of the resorvior first

 

[ssobel80]

Could be that the rad cap is not opening. Thats a quick easy fix to try, but get all that nasty water out of the resorvior first

What do you mean? Why would that cause this?

I am assuming you mean that the fluid isn't cycling cause the cap doesn't open

 

[Chikar]

I had the same problem as well.

As it turned out I had to replace a leaking rad on my 99 and in the process I flushed the whole system which gets rid of the crud in the hoses, heater core, etc. And I cleaned the reservoir of course.

The dirty reservoir problem hasn't returned.

 

[ssobel80]

I do not have any problems with the cooling system, no leaks, temp stay's right at ideal temp should I flush it to try and fix this or leave it alone and not try and fix something that isn't broken?

 

[Jstcruz]

I had a leaking rad for I dont know how long. Everything seemed fine untill i went to check the level and there was nothing. I topped it off and a couple hundred miles later it was way low again. Turned out to be a crack in a rad tank that was just slowly spraying coolant on the rad support - I never seen anything.

What I mean though, is that maybe the cap is not opening, therefor not using the resorvior. Could be as simple as a cap, maybe a malfunctioning t-stat even. If the level stays up then there is no leak, but if the cap is stuck with a functioning t-stat it could cause a leak eventualy - sooner than later if thats the case.

 

[Chikar]

Dirty reservoir

I do not have any problems with the cooling system, no leaks, temp stay's right at ideal temp should I flush it to try and fix this or leave it alone and not try and fix something that isn't broken?

I'd recommend flushing it throughly. It never hurts to clean up the cooling system and it will generally make parts last longer and everything work better.

Think of it like changing the engine oil. It's a good preventative maintenance item. People ignore cooling systems for some reason and the coolant gets acidic and eats up the rad, heater core, water pump, etc.

 

[ssobel80]

Sound's good, thank you guys!! I will et you know how it goes.

 

[ssobel80]

How much fluid am I going to need?

 

[Jstcruz]

Get a gallon of straight antifreeze. After you flush it, mix the antifreeze 50/50 to make 2 gallons. It will take all that + some more water If I remember correctly

 

[Chikar]

You do want to end up with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze/water.

That mix gives the best freeze protection but more importantly gives the best mix for anti-corrision protection which is important for long life of the cooling system components with all the aluminum in the rads, heads, etc.

I'd suggest you look up the fluid capacity of your cooling system and ensure you do end with a 50/50 mix.

Since it's unlikely you'll get ALL of the old coolant or flush water out of the system I'd suggest adding slightly more antifreeze than water to the 50/50 mix. Not much more though, too much antifreeze lowers the boiling point and cooling capacity of the mixture.

 

[ssobel80]

I already decided to go with a 50/50 premix. I know it may be a little more $$, but for the few $$ I would save it isn't worth it.