When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I have an 05' Acura MDX and brown fluid started running out in the front left (passenger) side of the car. Once I came from a complete stop the car would hesitate to drive some. Then I notice the temp is almost on hot but defineatly not normal. Good thing I just got home any ideas on the problem. Once I parked the car it sounded as if the fans were still going which is unusual for my car and the fluid is still running out.......
Odd that the fluid is brown, but based on the other indicators you mentioned, I would first let the engine cool. Then when cool, check you antifreeze level. When last did you flush your cooling system? Check the level in the overflow/expansion bottle. Check the radiator and hoses. The brown color may be your old tired antifreeze mixed with rust if you have a leak.
So its official I have a blown head gasket where the antifreeze and oil mixed and drained out... does anyone know if $800 is a good price for this job and how long it takes. He said 3days if he did it outside. Urghh
I've never had to replace a head gasket, so I'm not sure, but it seems reasonable. Was this quote from an indie? Acura dealer?
justn should chime in with his thoughts. He just replaced / rebuilt his TL engine with parts from an MDX.
So the mechanic put it up and said the engine is good but its really the radiator so idk this is a lot of back and forth. The first guy looked at it at night so could be reasonable he really didn't get a good look. I'm gonna be charged about 800 for a new radiator with the system cleaned and flushed and topped off. Also the brakes all around with rotors
Just be careful and try to ensure it is in fact the radiator, because replacing it on an engine with a blown head gasket is not a good idea. IOW a waste of money as the head gasket problem will persist and potentially ruin your new radiator.
Sounds sketchy to me. I would take it somewhere else. First of all, $800 to fix a blown head gasket is super cheap. The engine has to be torn apart and head sent away to be milled. You're looking at a couple thousand minimum. That is the first reason I would shy away from this mechanic. Second reason is now he is saying it's the radiator and decided to charge you the exact same price? I'm going to guess that he is also the one that offered to give you all new brakes at the same time? I would steer clear of this place and get another opinion. I would take it to the dealer for a diagnosis, then have it fixed somewhere else for cheaper.
Sounds sketchy to me. I would take it somewhere else. First of all, $800 to fix a blown head gasket is super cheap. The engine has to be torn apart and head sent away to be milled. You're looking at a couple thousand minimum. That is the first reason I would shy away from this mechanic. Second reason is now he is saying it's the radiator and decided to charge you the exact same price? I'm going to guess that he is also the one that offered to give you all new brakes at the same time? I would steer clear of this place and get another opinion. I would take it to the dealer for a diagnosis, then have it fixed somewhere else for cheaper.
Thanks but it wasn't this mechanic that said the head gasket it was another. He's worked on all my cars since I started driving so I trust his word. The first mechanic was gonna charge 800 and he said he can do it outside in 3 days. That's why I towed it to my regular.
Just be careful and try to ensure it is in fact the radiator, because replacing it on an engine with a blown head gasket is not a good idea. IOW a waste of money as the head gasket problem will persist and potentially ruin your new radiator.
Yes he showed me what the problem was and why its not the head gasket and y the other guy said it was.
Ok, but not sure I follow when you say under the car where the gasket is. But so long as you are comfortable with your mechanic and the diagnosis and you are on your way(or will be shortly) - that's all that matters.
Does your car have a trans cooler in the radiator? It looks like coolant mixed with trans fluid to me. If so, a radiator will cure it, but your coolant will have to be flushed with something like dish soap, or a citrus de-greaser. Possibly more than once. You may also have to change the trans fluid multiple times. This can also kill the trans as coolant can dissolve the adhesive that holds the clutch discs together. Good luck.
Does your car have a trans cooler in the radiator? It looks like coolant mixed with trans fluid to me. If so, a radiator will cure it, but your coolant will have to be flushed with something like dish soap, or a citrus de-greaser. Possibly more than once. You may also have to change the trans fluid multiple times. This can also kill the trans as coolant can dissolve the adhesive that holds the clutch discs together. Good luck.
I guess lol I have a 2005 MDX.....This is exactly what he's doing and said he had a special type of cleaner especially for this but idk what its called. He also said that he will clean it 3 times and replace the trans fluid and antifreeze.
I guess lol I have a 2005 MDX.....This is exactly what he's doing and said he had a special type of cleaner especially for this but idk what its called. He also said that he will clean it 3 times and replace the trans fluid and antifreeze.
The car is finally done I just picked it up and all is well runs great. Thanks guys for all your help and input. So it took 4 times to flush the trans fluid all out and I think 3 for the coolant.
Greetings,
. I had this brown flood spillage and have removed my radiator. Transmission fluid was totally gone and I have refilled, but stopped there. How can I flush the lines with the radiator off to clear out this remaining gook. A cleaner was mentioned in previois post, but without name and/or instructions. Please help, trying to save my 2008 ACURA MDX
I had this brown flood spillage and have removed my radiator. Transmission fluid was totally gone and I have refilled, but stopped there. How can I flush the lines with the radiator off to clear out this remaining gook. A cleaner was mentioned in previois post, but without name and/or instructions. Please help, trying to save my 2008 ACURA MDX
First of all, when did this happen? On the way?
Was the transmission in motion when the coolant and transmission oil mixed in the radiator?
Install the new radiator and attach all hoses and fans.
It will be much more difficult to flush coolant from an automatic transmission, only 33-36% of the total volume will be removed when draining the transmission pan. Since most of the fluid is trapped inside the torque converter and clutch packs, you can try to fill and drain new ATF fluid by idling periodically for 10-15 minutes, wanting most of the emulsion to drain. Otherwise, rebuilding / replacing the transmission will solve the problem.
To flush oil from the engine cooling system:
Drain the coolant from the system. Fill with water and add Radiator Oil Remover directly into the cooling system through the radiator. Install the radiator cap. Run the car until the thermostat opens and the fans start to turn on and off, and let it run for 15 minutes at normal operating temperature to allow the radiator oil remover to emulsify the oil. Then drain the cooling system and repeat the entire procedure again. After 2-3 times, fill with new Honda antifreeze.
Last edited by DundukovEM; 10-29-2023 at 07:05 PM.
First of all, when did this happen? On the way?
Was the transmission in motion when the coolant and transmission oil mixed in the radiator?
Install the new radiator and attach all hoses and fans.
It will be much more difficult to flush coolant from an automatic transmission, only 33-36% of the total volume will be removed when draining the transmission pan. Since most of the fluid is trapped inside the torque converter and clutch packs, you can try to fill and drain new ATF fluid by idling periodically for 10-15 minutes, wanting most of the emulsion to drain. Otherwise, rebuilding / replacing the transmission will solve the problem.
To flush oil from the engine cooling system:
Drain the coolant from the system. Fill with water and add Radiator Oil Remover directly into the cooling system through the radiator. Install the radiator cap. Run the car until the thermostat opens and the fans start to turn on and off, and let it run for 15 minutes at normal operating temperature to allow the radiator oil remover to emulsify the oil. Then drain the cooling system and repeat the entire procedure again. After 2-3 times, fill with new Honda antifreeze.
I was driving and the car stalled as if I had knocked the clutch out of gear. It recovered but appeared to do a single studder that was very suttle. The next morning I saw a trail of small drops leading into my garage and then found the spillage, only on passenger's side of vehicle. I checked the oil levels they appeared fine and of normal color. Transmission fluid was completely gone!
It was the gook in the bottle, when I drained the radiator it was full of it and filled a bucket. When I checked the oil dipstick, the engine oil looked normal. The gook came out of the drain and then outlet next to it. The driver's side didn't release any abnormal fluids.
The car is finally done I just picked it up and all is well runs great. Thanks guys for all your help and input. So it took 4 times to flush the trans fluid all out and I think 3 for the coolant.
cbb143 - If you are still there....can you provide a follow up to this work? I have the same problem and my research suggest you need to replace the trans and radiator hoses due to contamination. I am very curious how long your mechanic's work lasted.
11-01-2014, 06:16 AM
So I have an 05' Acura MDX and brown fluid started running out in the front left (passenger) side of the car. Once I came from a complete stop the car would hesitate to drive some. Then I notice the temp is almost on hot but defineatly not normal. Good thing I just got home 
any ideas on the problem. Once I parked the car it sounded as if the fans were still going which is unusual for my car and the fluid is still running out.......
Ok, but not sure I follow when you say under the car where the gasket is. But so long as you are comfortable with your mechanic and the diagnosis and you are on your way(or will be shortly) - that's all that matters. 
