Brown Coolant

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Jun 29, 2018 | 12:23 PM

SMarquez

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Brown Coolant

I went out to do a once over on my 2000 F250 V10 and found the coolant in the reservoir had turned brown. I also noticed a small leak, possibly in the intake gasket at the very front of the engine right under where the heater hose connects at the manifold.
I had the radiator replaced including new coolant and t-stat about 2 months ago. I have had to have the intake gaskets replaced about 7-8 years ago.
The truck has 185,000 miles on it and uses about a quart of oil about every 3000 miles. I change oil about every 5-6000 miles.
The trip I planned to take involves towing a 7500 lb trailer and we will end up at 7500 ft. in Northern Az.
The truck has never over heated, even with the trailer attached when the original radiators split at the top tank.
Where to start? First off, cancel the trip? I"m ready to go by another truck right now.

Jun 29, 2018 | 01:53 PM

seville009

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What color is your coolant normally?

i use the orange coolant, which looks brown in the reservoir.

Jun 29, 2018 | 02:01 PM

SMarquez

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When the coolant was replaced it was a nice, bright florescent green.

Jun 29, 2018 | 04:41 PM

Deuce40s

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From: NC

I could be way off here, but it sounds like the coolant has been contaminated/mixed with bad water. Maybe they didn't use distilled water? I had a problem with a truck one time and the coolant turning brown and really crusting up. It would wreak havoc on thermostats. Maybe two types of coolant mixed together and they're not playing along well?

Jun 29, 2018 | 04:43 PM

Chuck's First Ford

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From: very South Texas

brown .. like oil mixed into antifreeze
or
brown... like exhaust mixed into antifreeze..

what does the anti-freeze FEEL LIKE....
both could be a leaking head gasket.

Jun 30, 2018 | 01:29 AM

SMarquez

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OK, the coolant does not have oil in it. It doesn't smell or feel like oil. I soaked a paper towel, let it dry out didn't seem to leave any oil behind when it dried out. It could be the old coolant mixed in but the old coolant wasn't brown.
I took it back to the shop that did the work and they pressurized the system and didn't get any pressure drop and then topped it off and used premix coolant. I trust the shop, The current owner and his son are 2nd and 3rd gen in the business.

I'll use it and keep an eye on it. Probably go after the intake manifold gaskets when I get home.

Jun 30, 2018 | 07:30 AM

Chuck's First Ford

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From: very South Texas

you and they did all the correct stuff..... drive it and keep an eye on the gauges.

except ........ they should have FLUSHED the block before finishing the radiator replacement...