ROSSARONIE

What would cause my engine coolant to turn brown?


I checked the reservoir and it was a light brown, and not transparent.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

rust.
the radiator can rust from within, if coolant hasnt been changed in a while.

Change coolant, and you will be good to go.

TacoBello

I instantly thought about the headgasket and oil mixing into the coolant... hopefully that's not your problem.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

OoOoOoOo

lol is it a light brown?

or is it a very dark brown?

TacoBello

also, do you change your own oil? did it look unusual to you? When was the last time it was changed? When did you notice your coolant color?

truonghthe

take a pic and show us how brown is it.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

<p>Oil contamination would make more sense to me. Assuming it's always had oe type-2 or equivalent coolant.</p>

ROSSARONIE

To answer everyone above.


I do change my own oil, and did not see anything unusual. I am due for a change in the next couple of weeks, but the engine seems to be fine once into gear.


However I also have a post on here, where I am having a transmission problem. I checked my transmission fluid yesterday and it was low. I ran into problems with getting the fill bolt undone, because of a fuse box. Tonight I will be adding tranny fluid through the Dip stick in lue of the fill bolt.


But in combination with Low Tranny fluid, brown coolant and HIGH levels of coolant in my reservoir, I think I have a leak. Red + BLUE = BROWN?


Anyone think my logic here with the leak from the tranny fluid into the coolant is incorrect.


I have read and heard about the head gasket but im hoping that isn't the case.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

<p>So it's possible it had oe blue coolant and then you or someone added red coolant? Not sure that would really make brown per se but hey...who knows. A pic really would help.</p>

ROSSARONIE

Pic to come later today.


Red tranny fluid plus Blue Coolant = Brown Fluid


Not sure how tranny fluid would get to mixed with the coolant which is why im asking if this is possible.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

<p>AFAIK the only place would be the heat exchanger. Replace it immediately, flush both the tranny and the radiator, and replace with OE fluids for both.</p><p>Seriously coolant will wreck the transmission.&nbsp;</p>

ROSSARONIE

truonghthe

that seem like ATF mixed with coolant. BHG will give the color like coffee with cream and the rush will cause it discolor with some chunk floating around but this is another level.

ROSSARONIE

Bhg = blown head gasket?

Just as an update. I added about 1.5 quartz to the transmission via th we dip stick. Ran the engine a few times to make sure the fluid was back to a good level. Everything during idle sounded just fine. I went for a 15 minute drive, where things were going well. Last 5 minutes started to feel some slipping again through gears and higher rpms. When I got home I noticed some dripping from where I was driving.

My consensus is that there is a Leak in my transmission. Subsequently I have an hunch that the transmission fluid is connected to my brown coolant, because once again the coolant was very high after the drive.

Please tell me if you have any input.

thoiboi

Aren't there transmission lines going to the bottom of the radiator..?? I suggest starting there

csmeance

^ agree the radiator has lines to the transmission for a heat exchanger. You might have an internal leak in your radiator.

ROSSARONIE

Can I drive it to the mechanic? Don't want to risk ruining anything.

ROSSARONIE

Update:


I started the car this morning in an attempt to bring it to a trustworthy mechanic. I started the vehicle and the coolant reservoir started to OVERFLOW! At that point I decided to get the vehicle towed.


Mechanic says: " Radiator is bad, and he needs to first replace that. The tranny fluid, and coolant are not mixing together. Hell need to flush cooling lines, tranny, and he may have said the enginer im not 100% sure on the engine. After doing that he hopes that my tranny is still in good shape. Cross your fingers for me.




Car has 143K miles on it, so im hoping the tanny is still ok. I will update once I hear back from the mechanic in the next few days.


Current est. price is 1K, about 1/2 days worth of work, a radiator, and ALOT of fluid used during the flushing process. All in hopes that the tranny is still good.


Thank you for all your input

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

<p>A grand to replace the radiator? I don't know about that...</p><p>What was his reason for the coolant color?</p>

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

OEM DENSO Radiator can be found for $100.


pull out old radiator, run water through it to see if you can unclog it.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

NO WAY a 1000 dollar job

TacoBello

yeah mang, you're getting ripped off...

Mechanic knows you're desperate to get your car back, so he's gouging your pocket big time.

thoiboi

basically what you need is:

Replace radiator
Drain and replace coolant (2 gallons)
3 x 3 quarts ATF drain and refill
oil change for shits


Those things separately are nowhere near 1k..

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

<p></p><p></p><p>Radiator - $100-$150</p><p>OE Type-2 Coolant - $20-$25 each</p><p>OE ATF - $10-$15 each?</p><p>Oil + filter - $35</p><p>Maybe $400? Replacing the radiator is pretty straight forward too.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

erg69

Call any Acura dealer and ask what they would charge. When even they are under a grand... you know you are getting hosed.

truonghthe

The labor should be around $350 for a shop. Acura might charge you about 4 hours. Your coolant color indicate that the two fluid mixing together.

MarcDavidoff

Once new radiator is in I would flush the system a few times over. If it is trans fluid it has now circulated thru the heater core, engine block, etc

TVL65

My radiator blew last spring while I was driving, when I stopped there was smoke and the transmission fluid is housed in a separate compartment underneath the radiator, the lower tank blew spewing trans fluid. At first I didn't know what happened so when I initially tried to move the car the trans slipped so I shut it off & waiting for flatbed to the dealer. New radiator was $650 installed. Hate to tell you, but from driving yours you could have damaged your transmission. Sounds like coolant & trans fluid are mixed.