Radiator water discolouration

[ex cab]

G'day everyone.

I popped the hood on the weekend to check the water level on the radiator.

When i removed the cap there was a brown build up "gunk" on the cap and the water was a brown rusty colour.

Can this be fixed with a simple engine flush or is it something i should start worrying about.

I checked the oil and it wasn't milky so it hasn't got a blown head gasket.

Anyone else have this problem ??

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

[FTe342]

Everybody has this problem!

Just flush it a couple of times by draining and refilling with water and have heater on. Drive it until water temp reaches normal each time. Then refill with recommended coolant and maintain replacement as per handbook

[ex cab]

Originally Posted by shaynet

Everybody has this problem!

Just flush it a couple of times by draining and refilling with water and have heater on. Drive it until water temp reaches normal each time. Then refill with recommended coolant and maintain replacement as per handbook

do you know what causes the problem ?

rusty components in the motor (block)??

[FTe342]

Originally Posted by ex cab

do you know what causes the problem ?

rusty components in the motor (block)??

You got it in one! :

[mik]

lack of maintenance.

[InfernoSR]

There is also a brilliant way to flush your system, DIY at home and we highly recommend this method:

A normal garden hose isn't enough to do the job, you need a flushing agent. DON'T go buying Rad Flush from a car place, as it can be expensive and not actually work. A cheaper, easier, more effective way to flush the system is to go and buy a bag (or 2) of Washing Soda from your local Supermarket. Its only a couple of $$$, and can be used about 4 times (based on a 500gram bag).

Heres the instructions on how to use:
*Drain radiator via the bottom hose (quickest and easiest)
*Mix about 125grams Washing Soda in a cup of Hot water, and dissolve it.
*Pour mixture into radiator/header tank.
*Fill rad with clean water. And bleed system.
(To bleed system, fill rad, start vehicle, let it get to normal running temperature, and top up radiator until full, too much Air in a rad is bad news.)
*Once bled, run vehicle like normal for a couple of days, drain rad again, and do it all over again until water comes out clean (don't forget to run the heater as well).
*Once clean, use a good Radiator Conditioner (aka Coolant), DON'T use long life coolant, as it has been proven that it causes failures in the radiator and other parts of the system. I suggest Tectaloy Conditioner, Or get yourself down to a Radiator Specialist who sells Natra or Adrad products.
*The amount of Conditioner varies from car to car, the E-Series takes about 15Litres to fill the system from dry, the Conditioner amount is calculated from this figure.

Any further questions please ask.

[peterban]

I have never heard of the long life coolant causing problems as long as you remember to change it.

[curtleyw]

BLUEPRINT thanks very much for this info, I've noticed some brown build up in the tank, though I don't no whether that was from the previous change.
Bring on pay day lol!

[InfernoSR]

Originally Posted by peterban

I have never heard of the long life coolant causing problems as long as you remember to change it.

Well unless you are kept up to date with Tech Bulletins... its hard to keep track of the problems within the cooling system. As I've said before... if your hoses have dis-coloured with a redish/purple colour, its the conditioner persishing the rubber :

Stick with a regular grade and replace once a year for best results.