Thread: Coolant is Brown and gooyey.. Wtf?!

I was cleaning up my car today and realized that I have not checked my coolant level... Actually since I have had the car I have not checked it (noob I know)

Today I first notice that the over flow hose by the radiator cap was covered in liquid. When I whiped it off I noticed it was a brown color. Almost as dark as motor oil... I was confused.

I take off the cap on the radiator (car was cold of course) and was suprised by seeing a disgusting brown gooie liquid inside and all over the cap. It looks REALLY bad. I mean its BROWN. I have never seen this before. Im getting a coolant flush asap. I would get it done today (sunday) but no one is open. Luckily I have tomorrow off so I will take it in then.

What the hell could have caused this? Im assuming rust, but I cant picture it making it gooey and just down right dirty... Im not very good with cars, but is it possible motor oil is seeping into it (flame suit on)?

LIM Gasket is leaking... Oh great.

Welcome to the world of Dex-Cool

dex-cool got you good. time for a multiple flush session and the switching over to the green.

Originally Posted by QwikGT

pull out the oil dipstick, does it look like yoo hoo?

No. I am mistaken. It is not the lower intake manifold. You know what your talking about because another tech asked me the same thing. It does not. My oil looks like oil. Its just crap that has been mixed/abused. **** just needs a flush (im hoping nothing has been damaged).

Thanks for the help.

Go green!

Im getting the LIM done regardless. Ill be able to pop in a 3" dp while im at it. Going to get the 3" 304 bolt on catted dp from w body store.

the car will run like a champ!

This is your radiator:



This is your radiator on Dex-Cool:



This is your engine:



This is your engine on Dex-Cool:





Any Questions?

The first pic is what my coolant filter was trapping that was circulating in the system. The last two pics are just a sample of what I found around the #5 & #6 cylinders inside the block. And I say sample simply because that is not all of it. There is probably a full quart sized ziploc bag worth of that stuff in there.

Are you guys sure that you can just flush radiator and go green when it calls for dexcool? I believe that I am experiencing the same prob. I have flushed twice, but am still getting some residue on the radiator cap. Also the resivoir tank looks to have the same prob. I took this out and tried to clean with hot soapy water. the stuff is greasy and does not come clean easily. I have also heard that the old green antifreeze has a silicone lubricant in it where dexcool is different. I am not sure if you can simply switch to green. please someone clarify this.

I got mine flushed and it still looks like i have brown coolant. (I put green in it)

They'll mix, but its far from the ideal scenario. Ive only see a few examples but it seems mixing the coolant 'seemingly' accelerates the brown goo build up. If your mechanic is putting in green coolant with Dex-Cool, Id be a little concern with his quality of work and attention to detail

Generally you dont add a different type of coolant than what is already in there.

Get it flushed asap, and make sure he is using green coolant.