I checked my coolant level today and noticed that it is a dirty brown color instead of green. I noticed a little brown color when I changed it for the winter. Is this anything to worry about or is it nothing. My Dad said it might be a bad head gasket and the color is oil leaking into the coolant. Any help is much appreciated.

 

Could be the trans fluid mixing in the radiator due to a leaking trans cooler if an auto.

 

Seems it may be just rust. Try doing a good chemical flush, then use fresh new antifreeze and maybe a conditioner, if needed.

 

It's a 5 speed thanks for the response.

 

Okay I'll give it a try. Do you know any chemical flushs and conditioners that work better than others or are they all the same? Thanks for the response.

 

You should have seen mine when I bought my truck 2 weeks ago! It was AWFUL! Apparently I didn't flush it well enough because the new stuff has a slight orange tint to it as well but I feel much better now that there is fresh coolant in it.

Mine is a 5-speed also, with the i6/300.

 

Mine was horrible! It looked like brown mud. Fortunately it was still liquid although it looked like a thick mud. I flushed it and the thermostat failed during the flushing. I suggest you go ahead and change the thermostat too because the crud in there could cause it to fail... I'm going to get some kind of cleaner to run in there and flush it again. Although the water finally ran clear, you could still see rust or dirt particles in the water....

 

Cool thanks sounds like a pretty simple fix.

 

IMO all the chemicals are about the same, just stay with a brand name and follow directions.

 

Yeah I changed my Tstat and the coolant temp sensor as well as that whole water outlet with a replacement from Autozone.

 

A good flush is in order. My Expo was rusty brown too, check the link......

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...xpedition.html

 

I would get a flush kit, I have the Prestone Flush Kit, with a "T" and remove the thermostat. Park the truck somewhere you can let the water run away and not attract attention from nosy neighbors. When I do the older trucks, it's amazing at the crud that flushes out.

Usually when you remove the T-stat, the gasket will tear apart. These are just a $1 or so, and can be had at any parts store. I always get 2. One for the T-stat removal and one for the new T-stat install. I reinstall with new gasket and get the garden hose connected to the "T", and just turn the water on slowly, no need to have it @ full blast. The little yellow elbow that comes in the flush kit, plugs into the top of the rad and I connected a Clear polyethylene hose to it. I think it's 6 foot long. Start truck. Even if you see it running clear with it running, start upping the RPM slowly and then more crud start's flushing out. I love watching the debris run out!!! Also, if you see the dreaded "Rainbow" slick appearance, it could be time for a head gasket. That was another sign on my 302, besides ar bubbles in the coolant after purging the air out, that the head gaskets were shot.