Is brown coolant harmful?
 

Hello fellow Jeepers.

My 2001 XJ recently had the coolant flushed and changed as part of a major service by the dealer. It was green went it went in and is now a light rusty brown when I pop the cap off the expansion bottle and peer in.

I'm no expert, but I figure the colour is due to crap which was already in the system which wasn't flushed out properly. The bottle is stained brown inside and looks as if it could do with a real good scrub.

The radiator was replaced about 1 year ago, as was the lower radiator hose. No leaks any where, no oil in the coolant, Jeep runs like a dream otherwise.

My question is this - is the effectiveness of the coolant affected by the presence of this brown residue? Also, will I be doing the rig any damage if I continue to run it with the coolant stained as it is?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Ash

It is somewhat abrasive and will damage your water pump over time. The pump is water-lubricated and the impellar will get worn away as well.

Best to just drain it all out and pour in some brand new prestone. Being in Qatar I'm assuming it doesnt get cold there so you could just use water, not tap water btw...

did the dealer use a different color coolant some are different colors now adays?

Uh...what moronic mechanic would put Dex-Cool antifreeze into a car that obviously doesn't take it?

I would have it flushed again with the regular stuff.

wow, I didnt even think about him putting Dex-Cool.

Definitely get that garbage out of your vehicle TODAY.

just a thought :pinch:

Yeah its probably dexcool. I didnt think of it until LT6916 mentioned it.

I should have assumed they were that stupid though. lol

Guys - not sure about what is being meant by the Dexcool references? I am assuming that whatever coolant the dealer (that is the Jeep main dealer who did the work) used was what was specified by Jeep.

The coolant used was definitely green.

Thanks for the heads up on the water pump damage. I'll get it drained and flushed again when its next due it's service.

Ash

Ahhh...after re-deciphering your sentence, I see it now.

Meh, probably just some rust off metal surfaces. If done properly, it should be drained, "flushed", then filled.

x2

Sounds to me like it just pulled some gunk/scale that was built up in the system. It may not have been flushed for long enough by the person who serviced it.

EDIT: LT6916 beat me to it. I agree with what he's saying.

x3