djb383

Git 'er done asap, u don't want to be the 1st of many overheating posts for the new year. I doubt a shop will do as thorough a flush as u yourself can do and it may may take several flushes over several months to get the system clean enough that it will stay nice and green/clean for a while. With shops charging $100/hr, something to consider.

No4x4Yet

I spoke to the shop, they have a machine that power washed the system so Im thinking it'll be better than I can do. Its in the 30s this week too and I dont have a garage. Im not exactly feeling a day playing with fluids!

TheJerm

Coolant flushes suck alot when you try to do them in the winter.

no rdplz

1. NOMINATED
2. Why would you wait on changing a water pump when it's leaking? You're just asking for problems. Get it changed ASAP.
3. If you're getting the whole system power flushed, get a new 195 t-stat as well.

xPlover24x

30s. lucky. try oil change in 7 degree weather

black_771

Not saying you shouldn't change your antifreeze, but color shouldn't be the only reason why. If you test it with a hydrometer and its still in the normal range, its perfectly usable. Granted its prettier green and clean, but it doesn't mean its worthless.

djb383

Couldn't agree more but how many posts say something like "brown lumpy stuff" in my radiator. Think those folks know what a hydrometer is?

black_771

I must have missed the "lumpy" part. Are we sure the OP is looking at his cooling system and not the bottom of a porta-potty?

No4x4Yet

Its not leaking, coolant level isnt dropping, but I see moisture seeping out from some where. Im not even sure thats it and its a bit cold to start pulling things apart that aren't broken. If its bad the shop will let me know. Ill be keeping an eye on it as well.

well Ill be changing oil this weekend, but 7 is rough.

Its below freezing now and i haven't had issues and it doesn't over heat. The brown coolant makes me wonder if it was ever changed though. Thats the main reason Im changing it so I know its good and gonna last.

weight312

Not sure if I'm following along with this conversation the right way or not but if you have brown antifreeze and theres lumpy, sludgy material in it... BIG PROBLEM! This most likely happens because oil has been introduced to the coolant. Your most likely source would be a blown headgasket. It is common with the 4.0's because of how long the head is there is a greater tendency for the warpage, creating a weak seal in the gasket and then voila! ..peanut butter in your radiator. I just went through this entire ordeal and I started off the same way thinking that since my coolant way brown that I could just flush it thoroughly and the problem would be solved. approximately $900 later my problem is now solved and I have an entirely new cooling system from the thermostat to the radiator, heater core, water pump, and every line hose and clamp in between.

dukie564

How on earth did you get oil in your coolant? It usually happens the other way around due to a cracked head. You must have had a pretty severe head gasket leak.

TheJerm

Dont scare this guy, His coolant has probable never been changed and the brown stuff is rust from the water jackets in the block (not a big deal) but the rust does plug up stuff. Head only warp when you over heat them or install them wrong

honesT

While you are flushing the system it`s a very good idea to swap in a new thermostat as they tend to start acting up right after you put in new coolant.
I don`t have a proffesional explaination just what I`ve been told by family & friends and always followed...

Paramedic

I just did the same thing as the OP. Coolant was brown. Shop flushed it. Ended up having a rad leak so had to throw a new radiator in there. Big fun! I'm good to go now though.

weight312

engine oil runs at a pressure of approximately 40 (give or take).. radiator coolant is usually around 15psi. common sense says that if theres a gap the 40psi will win. This is how it was explained to me anyhow. The head overheated due to the lack of cooling capacity. My water pump was totally shot (blades were almost gone), so i guess I should go back and say that along with brown coolant I also had a overheating problem. I appologize if I got anyone worried. Just wanted to indicate something to keep an eye out for if the problem persists. more than likely its just a little bit of rust from the block.