Brown coolant?
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Brown coolant? - 1/13/2007 9:50:34 PM
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kawidood
Posts: 21
Joined: 11/17/2006
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Hey all,
I have a 97 Blazer and tonight I drove the car for about 10 minutes (it's only about 50 outside) and I noticed the car was passing the 210 point and getting hotter. I pulled the car over, waited 5 minutes and started it up again. This time when the temp hit around 210 (it had already dropped to 150) I turned the heater on to bleed heat from the engine and the temp started to come down. After I turned the heater off the temperature stayed in the normal range for the next 15 minutes till I got home. I checked the engine coolant level and it was fine, but the engine coolant is brown and has a slight burnt smell to it. I also heard a slight gurgling sound coming from the radiator. The only other problem I've noticed lately is that my heater core is once again making a gurgling sound when the car is cold. It happened to me last winter but my core was also leaking at the time and I had it replaced. Anyway, I know Dex-cool isn't green, but is it normal for the coolant to be brown and smell slightly burnt? I Want to have the coolant system flushes and cleaned and refilled but I wonder if whatever caused this coolant to turn brown will cause the new coolant to turn brown. Any idea/thoughts are appreciated!:)
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/13/2007 10:15:30 PM
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nofear17bmx
Posts: 614
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Umm I would be wondering if you have a leak in you oil cooler/tranny cooler which is leaking into your radiator making it brown and also making smell a little burnt. Can you tell if the substance looks oily?
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/13/2007 10:17:57 PM
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swartlkk
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You would see oil collect on the radiator cap. I'm betting that you have some kind of leak in the system. I would definitely recommend that you flush the system out and while you've got it empty, change out the t-stat and put a new slant radiator cap on. Then keep an eye on it.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/13/2007 10:42:33 PM
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MNHawk
Posts: 451
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when you did your heater core did you flush out your system then?
also did you refill the system with Dex-Cool?
If you did not Flush it, it could be the left over junk from before that changed the color so quickly.
But I would not rule out the chance that the Trany and/or oil coolers could be cracked in the radiator and leaking into the system. Take a look at your trany fluid, if it is milky/foamy then its a good chance that the cooler in the radiator is leaking for the trany. Unhappily the oil cooler can not be checked as easy as the Trany. But do keep an eye out for oil ontop of the coolent.
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74 W200 4x4 360/727/NP205 D44/D60
1981 C-20 Suburban Full Size 4x4 350 4sp manual (newest toy)
91 Honda Accord (daily Driver)
1979 Ford LGT 125
2005 JD L130
95 Blazer 4 door 4x4 4.3 lt vin W(parked selling or parting out)
93 S10 Blazer 4dr 4.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/14/2007 3:47:06 AM
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kawidood
Posts: 21
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when they changed my heater core last winter they did not flush the entire system as far as i know, but i could be wrong. however, i've seen the engine coolant before tonight and it wasnt' this color.
as far as oil being in it, it does not look oily, but maybe if i look at it during the day i'll notice it. i'll take a look at it tomorrow.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/14/2007 4:04:40 AM
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MNHawk
Posts: 451
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kawidood
when they changed my heater core last winter they did not flush the entire system as far as i know, but i could be wrong. however, i've seen the engine coolant before tonight and it wasnt' this color.
as far as oil being in it, it does not look oily, but maybe if i look at it during the day i'll notice it. i'll take a look at it tomorrow.
Don't forget to check your trany fluid also.
This will help narrow down what might be helping in turning it that color.
Also I have read how air pockets in the coolent system can also aid in changing it colors. Maybe one of the more Dex-Cool exp. people can aid you with that. My pet pev is not to use Dex-Cool to avoid any of the known issues with the stuff.
_____________________________
74 W200 4x4 360/727/NP205 D44/D60
1981 C-20 Suburban Full Size 4x4 350 4sp manual (newest toy)
91 Honda Accord (daily Driver)
1979 Ford LGT 125
2005 JD L130
95 Blazer 4 door 4x4 4.3 lt vin W(parked selling or parting out)
93 S10 Blazer 4dr 4.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/14/2007 5:34:21 PM
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blazinwoody
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I know that your susposed to use Dex-cool but when the container of anti-freeze says "All makes, All models, even different colored fluid" should I still use it. I dont want to get off-topic but I think its relevent to the topic. Thanks
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/14/2007 5:35:48 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14499
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From: Waterloo, NY
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I actually highly recommend Prestone's Yellow All Makes, All Models Extended life coolant.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/14/2007 6:40:18 PM
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4lowlife
Posts: 1562
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I think there is a $4.00 mail in rebate for Prestone 50/50 and exteneded life at Autozone. Don't know for how long though.
Picked up 2 weeks ago.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/15/2007 12:56:15 AM
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kawidood
Posts: 21
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well, there's a sticker right next to the radioator that says "only use Dex-Cool", so I think I'll stick with it.
What's wierd is that the car begins to overheat when I turn it on, but as soon as I turn the heater on the temperature is able to regulate itself. What do you guys make of that? Even after I turn the heater off it still regulates itself normally. Why would turning on the heater make any difference?
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/15/2007 4:01:34 AM
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MNHawk
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I have been switching over to the AmsOil Anti-Freeze. Has the same claim as the Yellow and Orange stuff, but is still GREEN. And seeing as, even in the newer vehicles, the MFG's says it does not void your warranty. Going to try this in the Blazer when I get it done.
I have used it for several years in my Honda, no problems at all. In fact at 245,000 and still rolling (has had AmsOil in it now for 61,000 got it when it had 184,000). Seems to work nice for an Import. Cost a bit more, but guess quality is going to do that to anyone.
Oh and kawidood, I would check with your local GM dealership to ensure you are getting the new Dex-Cool over the old Dex-Cool. They did change some of the chemical composites to it. So if you are going to stick with it, then get it from the dealership. Even though the 97 is out of warranty, if you have an extended warranty from GM on it, then you will want to conform to their regulations per the warranty.
_____________________________
74 W200 4x4 360/727/NP205 D44/D60
1981 C-20 Suburban Full Size 4x4 350 4sp manual (newest toy)
91 Honda Accord (daily Driver)
1979 Ford LGT 125
2005 JD L130
95 Blazer 4 door 4x4 4.3 lt vin W(parked selling or parting out)
93 S10 Blazer 4dr 4.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/15/2007 4:04:00 AM
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MNHawk
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kawidood
well, there's a sticker right next to the radioator that says "only use Dex-Cool", so I think I'll stick with it.
What's wierd is that the car begins to overheat when I turn it on, but as soon as I turn the heater on the temperature is able to regulate itself. What do you guys make of that? Even after I turn the heater off it still regulates itself normally. Why would turning on the heater make any difference?
Because when you turn on the heater it acts like a second cooling fan. Aids in pulling the heat away from the coolant.
_____________________________
74 W200 4x4 360/727/NP205 D44/D60
1981 C-20 Suburban Full Size 4x4 350 4sp manual (newest toy)
91 Honda Accord (daily Driver)
1979 Ford LGT 125
2005 JD L130
95 Blazer 4 door 4x4 4.3 lt vin W(parked selling or parting out)
93 S10 Blazer 4dr 4.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/17/2007 3:33:21 PM
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kawidood
Posts: 21
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So i took it to my mechanic today and he said that he thinks it's a blown intake manifold gasket since he sees oil in the coolant. He wants to charge me $470 for part/labor to the job. I asked him if there's coolant in the oil too, and he said there isn't, so I guess it's a 1 way leak. I'm not sure what exactly an intake manifold is, so I don't know how it's a 1 way leak, but I'll take his word for it I guess.
I couldn't leave it today so I'll have to drive the car all week until i can do it next wednesday, i just hope it doesn't screw up my car too much till then.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/17/2007 4:28:14 PM
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drperry
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From: GP AB CA
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Does your exhaust smell sweet? Or have a very white-ish appearance?
That's generally what you see/smell when your burning coolant...
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/17/2007 4:54:57 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14499
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An intake manifold leak is indeed one way, but not the way that your friendly mechanic has suggested. There are no pressurized oil galleys anywhere near, let alone sealed off by the intake manifold gaskets. The cooling system is under pressure (controlled by the radiator cap) while hot. If a leak is present, coolant will be released out through the leak. The location of the leak would determine where the coolant would go. Possibilities are external leak - coolant leaks to the outside of the engine, internal leak to intake runner - coolant leaks into the intake runner, passes into the cylinder, then gets blown out through the exhaust (sweet smell mentioned above), and last but not least (and by far the worst case), internal leak to the lifter valley - coolant leaks into the lifter valley finding its way down into the oil pan where it dilutes the oil and if left unnoticed for even a short period of time it will trash your bearings. If the coolant finds its way into the oil, TURN THE ENGINE OFF! The coolant will turn the oil into a chocolate milk colored mess and will be very evident by looking at the dipstick.
If there is indeed oil in the coolant, then I would suspect a leak in the engine oil cooler in the driver's side tank of the radiator, but I doubt that is your problem as I doubt that you actually have oil in your coolant. If you did have oil in your coolant, you would have it built up at the radiator cap and depending on how long the problem has been going on, possibly in the overflow bottle. Oil doesn't disolve in water.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/17/2007 8:38:31 PM
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kawidood
Posts: 21
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swart, thanks for the reply. There is indeed oil in the reserve bottle. That's what he said anyway. I personally didn't see it, all I see was brown coolant liquid in the reservoir. He said the radiator cap was rusty and needed to be replaced, but I'm not sure if he found oil in it or not. He also said he checked and didn't see coolant in the oil though. So you're saying that you don't think it's an intake manifold gasket that's leaking?
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/17/2007 9:26:43 PM
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nofear17bmx
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I knew it right from the start lol. Also I know on my cap it cakes up with dried residue from the coolant, don’t let that mistake you to think its rust.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/18/2007 9:38:41 AM
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MNHawk
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kawidood
swart, thanks for the reply. There is indeed oil in the reserve bottle. That's what he said anyway. I personally didn't see it, all I see was brown coolant liquid in the reservoir. He said the radiator cap was rusty and needed to be replaced, but I'm not sure if he found oil in it or not. He also said he checked and didn't see coolant in the oil though. So you're saying that you don't think it's an intake manifold gasket that's leaking?
Your best bet at this point is to just do a flush and fill, change out the radiator cap. Then run it for a week or so and see if the oil shows up again.
If you do decide to go with the intake gasket, might as well do the head gaskets also. Due to the intake is over 1/2 the time charge to change the head gaskets. This way you will have your valve seats and guides done also. This will aid in giving the engine extended life.
_____________________________
74 W200 4x4 360/727/NP205 D44/D60
1981 C-20 Suburban Full Size 4x4 350 4sp manual (newest toy)
91 Honda Accord (daily Driver)
1979 Ford LGT 125
2005 JD L130
95 Blazer 4 door 4x4 4.3 lt vin W(parked selling or parting out)
93 S10 Blazer 4dr 4.
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RE: Brown coolant? - 1/19/2007 8:45:46 PM
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Spazz
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my 99 had the sam symptons as your 97. brown coolent, sponge like residue on the rad cap, gurguling sound with the heater core, etc. my problem was the intake gasket, the gasket has ruptured and the oil was leaking into the coolent lines. this causes an oily film and build up inisde all of the cooling lilnes in my truck. the flush would only work for 6 months and again i would get massive build up. the solution was to go down and replace the intake gasket. if the ruptured gasket was noticable at that point then we found the problem. if the gaskt was intact, then we would proceed to the head gasket. let me point out that when you do the head gasket you need to macheine the heads, that's two head by the way, and if they are to warpped to be machened then you need to find new ones or used ones.. this gets very costly. I would look into the intake gasket, 75% of the time it;s this. someting about how the heads where cast may be resulting in this stupid rumpture.. i have pics of my repair and you can see the wear. if someone wants to host the pics i can post them and you will understand. anyways, do the intake gasket, replace the Thermostate, flush the system with GM's rad flush (i think it has acid in it) and clean out every hose in you looking system that you can get a hold of (you need something to aggitate the stuff cuz the oil lining the hose will not more if not aggitated). then you should be ok.... that is my experiance...
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RE: Brown coolant? - 2/7/2007 1:00:42 PM
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kawidood
Posts: 21
Joined: 11/17/2006
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Hey guys, it' update time.
So 2 weeks ago I had him replace the intake gasket and flush the system. He showed me the (supposed) gasket and it was indeed ripped/torn. He changed my Dex-Cool to the green stuff (without my permission, which I didn't appreciate) and so far I haven't noticed any oil in the coolant.
However, I still notice a problem. The reason I looked in the coolant to begin with was because a few weeks ago when I started up the car, it would warm up to 210, then go down to 160 which I though was abnormal. So I looked in the coolant and found the oil. I figured that when he flushed the system (and supposedly change the thermostat) that would stop. But my car still does it!! Why??? Does the fact that it's very cold outside (teens without wind-chill) make the car heat itself up higher at first? Or is there something else causing this symptom? Once the car goes back down to 160 it's ok and stays there, but it's wierd that it first goes to 210. Why? Any ideas?
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