Grey in coolant
#1
Grey in coolant
I started my car for the first time today, ran great, but at the end of the day I checked the radiator make sure it was full, which it is, but the very top of the coolant is grey. It will swish to the side and green is right under. What do you guys think? I'm going to flush my coolant system tomorrow. Btw, this is an old radiator that I have never used before...
#2
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Re: Grey in coolant
No way to answer this. You used an old radiator so it might be contaminants from it sitting or junk blown into it from the death of an engine from its previous life in a different car.
It does look interesting though. How does it taste?
:p
It does look interesting though. How does it taste?
:p
#4
Honda-Tech Member
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Re: Grey in coolant
I believe traditional green coolant separates (for lack of a better term) over time. It sort of gunks up radiators. Why not get a new-er-ish radiator?
EDIT:
The picture is the best thing I could find. I saw a thread on here about this not too long ago (<1 yr). Someone was talking about blue coolant or some other radiator system and this came up. I couldn't find it (didn't search) but I found this on Google. I will search and add the thread if I can find it.
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#9
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Re: Grey in coolant
How about a concern for anyone running coolant? Which would be everyone, so nothing special there. Just didn't see any indication in the OP of a boosted vehicle. Also hoping the OP isn't just sitting there taking pictures and staring at it and has since flushed the system (which he claims he will do) and maybe gotten a new radiator.
#10
Honda-Tech Member
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Re: Grey in coolant
I'd definitely get a new radiator and flush out the block before using it. That's stupid nasty. I can only imagine what has settled if that is on top.
EDIT:
I'd trust 4drEF on this one. Definitely more experienced than I am.
His post below sparked this edit.
EDIT:
I'd trust 4drEF on this one. Definitely more experienced than I am.
His post below sparked this edit.
Last edited by Freemananana; 07-09-2014 at 09:51 AM.
#11
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Re: Grey in coolant
What odd is that silicate fallout usually settles to the bottom.
He's able to poke around at the surface and see green fluid underneath.
The pic makes it appear to be whitish looking... like old chewing gum. I have heard of phosphate based coolants producing oxidized aluminum salts. If that was in the radiator while it sat unused maybe it created a film that came off when the OP started using the radiator.
I think he can probably get away with just a flush.
He's able to poke around at the surface and see green fluid underneath.
The pic makes it appear to be whitish looking... like old chewing gum. I have heard of phosphate based coolants producing oxidized aluminum salts. If that was in the radiator while it sat unused maybe it created a film that came off when the OP started using the radiator.
I think he can probably get away with just a flush.
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