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Well, since I have 100 things on my fix it list, why not add another. I have noticed that the coolant has turned imto a darker tan. Trying to figure out if it’s tansmission fluid, bad head gasket or oil from the oil cooler.
i don’t think it’s oil as I figured oil would float to the top and leave an oil film on the cap and on top of the coolant.
i am thinking a small trans cooler leak. Trans fluid level is still normal but I don’t think it would take too much of it to make a mess in the coolant.
Then there’s the head gasket theory.... my 95 k1500 just shelled a head gasket @250k miles a few weeks ago and actually built enough pressure in the coolant system to rupture the plastic tank. Had to drive 240 miles like that pouring water in every 10 miles and at the end it covered everything under the hood and drivers side of truck in rusty colored fluid leaving rusty looking stains wherever I parked. Now it could have a leaking cooler as well be both problems occurring at the same time seems odd. My IDI is showing the same symptoms as the Chevy but not to that extream.
Just looks like rust from not enough corrosion inhibitors to me. Grab an empty pop bottle and fill it from the radiator drain, let it sit overnight. If it's rust it will mostly settle out and you'll have green coolant on top. If it's oil you'll see the separation and mayonnaise.
When I had oil-in-coolant issues, engine oil was a grey goo that floated to the highest points of the system and radiator. You can test what it is by wiping the goop with a white paper towel and let it dry in the sun. The grey goo will turn to black, just like regular crankcase oil. Tranny fluid will turn back to its read color in the sun.
I don't think that is tranny fluid, but I could be wrong. It looks like rust to me. Put a magnet in it and see what happens.
I didn’t even think of it being just rust. I’ll check it out with the bottle and using a rag. If it’s just rust then it’s time to drain, flush and fill with fresh antifreeze.
I didn’t even think of it being just rust. I’ll check it out with the bottle and using a rag. If it’s just rust then it’s time to drain, flush and fill with fresh antifreeze.
Thank you all for the help.
I forgot about the SCA's- it's easier to use a premix which includes the SCA.
If you mix the fluid yourself, you will need an SCA compatible fluid & the SCA additive, distilled water, and the test strips.
The premix SCA-type coolant, like FleetCharge, is good for (5? years) and the other SCA type is good for 1m miles (lifetime?). These are easiest but I hear you still should test these to monitor the SCA level.
While you got those block plugs out, you should replace them with McMaster Carr valves so you can drain the block without the explosive cascade of coolant that inevitably occurs with removing a block plug.
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