Rusted Coolant In Reservoir
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Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 482
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From: Broomall, PA
Car: 1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS; 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Brougham
Engine: LH0 3.1 Liter V6; YBN 2.8 Liter V6
Transmission: TH-700-R4; TH-440
Rusted Coolant In Reservoir
Hey guys,
I have a 92 Camaro RS 3.1 and it runs great, has never overheated. But I always referred to my coolant as a brownlike formula, because it was always like that since I bought the car and found an interest in cars. The car sat for almost two years (in good condition and well maintened, good body and engine) I never knew it was supposed to be green till I popped the hood of my moms new Altima. My cousin says that this could be oil getting in the coolant which means the head gasket is going bad. It isn't oily but it is very rusty. Could this effect my whole cooling effect and would replacing this junk(I know I should anyways and am going to in the next few weeks) cool my car a lot better? The car only has 66 thousand miles on it. Thanks guys.
I have a 92 Camaro RS 3.1 and it runs great, has never overheated. But I always referred to my coolant as a brownlike formula, because it was always like that since I bought the car and found an interest in cars. The car sat for almost two years (in good condition and well maintened, good body and engine) I never knew it was supposed to be green till I popped the hood of my moms new Altima. My cousin says that this could be oil getting in the coolant which means the head gasket is going bad. It isn't oily but it is very rusty. Could this effect my whole cooling effect and would replacing this junk(I know I should anyways and am going to in the next few weeks) cool my car a lot better? The car only has 66 thousand miles on it. Thanks guys.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 661
Likes: 1
From: Beaver,PA,USA
The green coolant (typically added as 50/50 with water) has two basic purposes:
1) Lower the coolant's freezing temperature
2) Inhibit the ability of the water in the solution from rusting the inside of your engine.
The rust inhibitors in antifreeze have a finite lifetime. When they have been "used up", they can no longer keep the water in the solution from rusting your engine. My guess is that the rust inhibitors are no longer doing their job in your car. Over time, the can ruin your engine by rusting it from the inside out. I let this go too long on a car I used to own and could never keep the coolant green because I waited too long. I sold the car before the engine rusted through.
I strongly recommend that you drain a flush your system, then replace with a 50/50 solution. You can buy flush kits just about anywhere that you can buy car parts. Make sure you are flushing until the outcoming water is 100% clear. THis will ensure that you got
1) Lower the coolant's freezing temperature
2) Inhibit the ability of the water in the solution from rusting the inside of your engine.
The rust inhibitors in antifreeze have a finite lifetime. When they have been "used up", they can no longer keep the water in the solution from rusting your engine. My guess is that the rust inhibitors are no longer doing their job in your car. Over time, the can ruin your engine by rusting it from the inside out. I let this go too long on a car I used to own and could never keep the coolant green because I waited too long. I sold the car before the engine rusted through.
I strongly recommend that you drain a flush your system, then replace with a 50/50 solution. You can buy flush kits just about anywhere that you can buy car parts. Make sure you are flushing until the outcoming water is 100% clear. THis will ensure that you got
Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 191
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From: Mass.
One more thing to look at is it might have had a stop leak added to the coolant, some types of stop leak makes the coolant look like a rusty color. But it is definatly a good idea to change out the coolant in case of rust.
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 266
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From: Flemington, NJ
ack! when i first got my firebird in 1995 i had the SAME problem, except the coolent resivour was mucky and it stunk, you NEED to get that flushed ASAP becuase its not good for your radiator, mine died soon after i got the car becuase of that, you should also buy a solvent to use which you can get at any auto parts store to make sure all the rust gets flushed out. Its very easy to flush your coolent system, it takes 10 minits pretty much. I also prefer to use the premixed anti freeze, its easier and a safer bet becuase if you mix tap water with the 50/50 there can be clogging particles in your water that can also lead to problems.
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