Rust and Brown Radiator Fluid

[Time4the16G]

I've just recently had my engine rebuilt (6 months ago) so I dont think its the head gaskets. But there is brown fluid in the radiator and Lots of rust where the rubber water hoses are, even connecting to my new 16g turbo.. I think the part below is the culprit. Does anyone know what this part is called? and will a bad radiator cause rusty fluid??

 

[dsmboy51]

This happened to my 90 gs, I asked a local shop and they said that my coolant either had too much water or it was a normal 50/50 mixture that had been in the engine too long.

 

[TotalEclipse21]

Metal going back to its natural form... You sir need more antifreeze and less water. And thats your thermostat housing. Aluminum won't corrode like that, correct me if i'm wrong, I think only metal parts will.

 

[dsmboy51]

Aluminum oxidizes and iron rusts.

 

[my dreamt dsm]

Metal going back to its natural form... You sir need more antifreeze and less water. And thats your thermostat housing. Aluminum won't corrode like that, correct me if i'm wrong, I think only metal parts will.

Agreed. What I did with my civic was run the system full with water for a few miles like 10 or so. And then flush it all out and you will see plenty of brown. And then add the correct mixture. Most likely your radiator and the whole system is brown also so a good flush is in hand.
I ask my brother in law who works at jiffy lube. He said it cost around $100 for a radiator flush!

 

[TotalEclipse21]

Why pay someone to do it when he could do it himself? I think with all the help on here we can help him through a simple cooling system flush. But first he must believe he can do...

 

[PieEyedPiper]

That is ghastly.
The part you're referencing is the thermostat housing. At the very least, to rectify your situation, you will need a coolant flush and of course new fluid. Being in CA I'd suggest you use 30-50% coolant and the rest distilled water. But that's just me. If you like a different mix - by all means.

I almost find it hard to believe that any coolant mixture using distilled water could produce rust like that since the car has been running on a regular basis.

EDIT: eug, I type slow.

 

[Jimmer307]

I would just be praying that there is no rust corroding up your new rebuilt motor. Flush the hell out of it. This is a perfect example of why you NEVER run straight water through your coolant system. You may be saving $5 in coolant here and there, but the end result is never good.

 

[Time4the16G]

Thank you guys for all your postings! and everyone is 100% correct! I've installed a new exhaust manifold and then a new turbo and since I've had to flush my radiator like 5 times in the process of removing it to gain access to the front of my engine, I've been filling the damn thing with water and not mixing it with coolant! I've only run the car about 20 miles in test driving, so hopefully I havent screwed up anything too bad. I had no idea running straight water in a radiator during testing would cause this type of effect. Thanks Everyone = D

 

[Andrew Conrady]

Metal going back to its natural form... You sir need more antifreeze and less water. And thats your thermostat housing. Aluminum won't corrode like that, correct me if i'm wrong, I think only metal parts will.

correct

 

[Time4the16G]

Anyone have a good suggestion for the best antifreeze needed if your running a 16G ?

 

[dsm'r sk1mp]

um the antifreeze i cant help with cause i havent used one yet but your gunna need a new thermastat bud... my buddies 93 talon had that same problem because he had to much water and not enough coolant... drain that shit get yourself a nw thermastat and you will be golden

 

[tjbiker031]

Any antifreeze should be fine. I would flush the whole system to get the rusty water out and then refill it.

 

[blakktalon]

If you live somewhere that gets really cold temperatures you might want more antifreeze in the mix like say a 70/30 or straight antifreeze so it doesnt freeze up and destroy everything.

 

[dsm'r sk1mp]

If you live somewhere that gets really cold temperatures you might want more antifreeze in the mix like say a 70/30 or straight antifreeze so it doesnt freeze up and destroy everything.

well put and should be considered for most poeple in the north west or north region of the US. last year i had 50/50 in my talon over the winter and it caused alot of rust build up and i ended up haveing the radiator flushed... so either drain it for the winter or run at least 70/30 or just pure coolant

 

[98spyderboost]

thats nasty! Hope your flushes go well... I would like to add; speed shops and parts houses usually carry coolant additives that protect against rust, couldn't hurt for the extra protection at this point. Also I hope the heater core is left unscathed from all this... GL man!

 

[turbo90gsx]

A normal 50/50 mix of coolant and water is good for -35 below.

 

[dannyd97gst]

Flush your coolant every 3 years and that shouldn't happen again. I use the Mitsu long life green coolant and love it, so much in fact that it is in my mercury and my Jeep.

 

[cardot33]

they make stuff for flushing coolant. little container at the parts store costs like $7 and looks like it would be money well spent.

 

[kimcheefists]

My .2 would be the Prestone Flush N' Fill Kit. There's a video on youtube that shows you how to use it. Better than spending $100 for a flush from Jiffy Lube when you can do a 100% flush yourself.

 

[TYGRR]

I just did the flush on my car and it was a very simple and im not that mechanically inclined. I just went to autozone and they hooked me up with everything i needed. The whole job took about an hour to complete but it was well worth it. My car runs better/ cooler now because of the flush and new fluids. And btw you def need that new thermostat.

 

[TsiBoosted4g63]

It was definatly due to too much water in there and not enough antifreeze