Brown Engine Coolant

Checked my engine coolant and it's a murky brown, going to change it asap but is there anything else I should be checking/worried about?

Only got it a few weeks ago so don't know when it was last changed.

Thanks.

so0metimes just happens when someone tops up a car which has had red antifreeze in with blue or vice versa, either that or its been in there many a year, As long as you have no other issues should be fine.

Definitely worth flushing rad backwards with hose, as well as heater matrix, and the block.

Ok thanks bud, job for the weekend!

If the coolant is really rusty brown, chances are your radiator will be partially blocked - not good.

Yes you can try back-flushing it but tbh it's not very effective. When you put it all back together and once the engine is fully up to temp, check the temperature across the whole surface of the rad. not just the inlet and outlet hoses.

If there are cold areas, it means it's partially blocked.


Dave

It can also be a sign of a failing head gasket. Even if it is the car could run for a while like that.

Mark151151 said:

It can also be a sign of a failing head gasket. Even if it is the car could run for a while like that.

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+1 it is usual cause if it is actually rust

Have you tried drawing some off with a syringe and looking at it in the light?
Pink antifreeze can look like some right strange colours when you're peering down at it into a coloured plastic reservoir!

Really hope it's not head gasket

I will check it out saturday, sucks that it's now pitch black when i get in from work!