B18bEK

my radiator has a small leak in it and i just noticed today that the coolant in the reservoir is a kinda reddish color. any suggestions on what my problem might be??

kid-honda

iTrader: (2)

Oil would turn it black so WTF is causing the red tint? Does it feel greasy like oil? Did it just appeare?
If it is oil it would be a headgasket but I dont think it is since its red?

Jared

reddish tint could be some rust from anything in the system that isn't aluminum

ATS*Mark

ya it could be rust....hondas are known for that problem with the cooling system....orrrrrrrrrrr , did sombody accidently put extended life anti frees in because thats a reddish color

kid-honda

iTrader: (2)

I was thinking it was maybe the wrong chemicals too but as far as the rust wouldnt it have more of a brown color to it?

11psiTurboSI

I bet it had coolant additive or leak stop was add to the coolant... Do a coolant flush When I worked on customers cars at my dad's shop... Some reservoirs have the pasty reddish-brown junk on the bottom due to a additive added to the coolant!

ek9vboi

i saw the same thing in my lexus. maybe it was what the factory used, but i dunno. just flush it out...then put some water in it...fill it all the way up. start the motor up, let it run a little, flush again. then pour in the real stuff and...tada, just like new and u wont have any red stuff in it anymore.

B18bEK

awesome, thanks for the replies!!! i'll flush it tomorrow and see whats going on. i know the radiator is leaking a little bit now - but i'm gonna get a new one soon. hopefully its just an addative and not the headgasket!!

Crazy Cooter

Most likely it's just a different brand of coolant. If you get your oil changed at those "quickie shops", they usually top off all your fluids. They just fill it with whatever they have...

B18bEK

i change my oil myself but i think when i did the swap a month ago i used red coolant and just don't remember . i'm gonna flush it today and see what the outcome is .