Brown coolant

Jonnyb · Sep 3, 2022

18 ram. Smelled coolant. Checked under the hood and small amount leaking around upper hose at radiator neck. 110,000 miles on her. Upon coolant inspection I find it’s brown colored. Inside of hose looks like rusty water. A little bit of gunk on radiator cap as well.
Any Thoughts appreciated ?

crash68 · Sep 3, 2022

If a comparable OAT coolant other than the Mopar purple koolaid was used to top off the overflow expansion tank, that could explain the brown color.
The factory OAT coolant does start off purple but will change to an orangeish-rose color over time when cold but turns more purple when warm/hot.
Might be a good idea for a flush and fill.

Jonnyb · Sep 3, 2022

Thanks. Topped of at a Valvoline quick change months ago. First time any coolant has been added since new. I hope they would use the proper coolant. I could t see what it was and didn’t question it.

crash68 · Sep 3, 2022

Jonnyb said:
Topped of at a Valvoline quick change

It was most likely a universal OAT compatible coolant that's a yellow or green based coolant, unfortunately when mixed with the purple koolaid the resulting color looks bad. Coolant wise it's probably fine and doesn't pose an operational issue. There's only so many products an instant oil change place can stock, things like coolant tend to be a one size fits many.
Some of the instant oil change places in colder climates you have to stop them from topping off the windshield wiper fluid around this time of year as some of the bulk stuff tends to freeze in the winter.

Jonnyb · Sep 3, 2022

Good thoughts. It’s Saturday and Labor Day weekend. Do you know if parts store support OAT or is it dealer item. Is there a certain flush method?

indept · Sep 3, 2022

Word of advice, STAY AWAY FROM QUICK CHANGE LUBE SHOPS. Many problems, didn't tighten the filter, cross threaded drain plug running it on with an impact gun, "oh they forgot to put oil back in, etc etc. People that work there probably got fired from McDonald's for putting cheese on the outside of the bun.

EdGs · Sep 3, 2022

Personally, I would drain it (Unless you undo the block drains, you will only get a couple gallons out), fill with distilled water, run to operating temp, and repeat until clear water when drained. You will have to do this several times until it runs clear.

Then refill with 2 gallons of Mopar OAT concentrate. It should mix sufficiently after a couple warm-ups, and you will be around 50-50 mix.

KoboldTaco · Sep 3, 2022

Never would of figured the color mixing but I’m glad for the OP that it might be that simple. I’d drain/flush and put it back to spec But that's just me.

I’m sure your truck has YouTube videos out there to see the best procedure or at least different people with different approaches. I find myself watching a lot of mechanics nowadays for YouTube entertainment. Since I like to wrench myself, it’s fun to see what the pro‘s do and their tools.

Jonnyb · Sep 3, 2022

I should have not admitted using quick oil change on the forum. I’m the type that has anxiety attacks while they are working in my truck. Get home Check for missing bolts etc. just getting older and harder to get under there and deal with it all. I drive a lot so an oil change every other month. That’s why I’m a little freaked about the brown coolant. It’s not orange. I’m going to flush and fill and hope it’s just a coolant mixture issue.

Dodge 1500 4X4 · Sep 3, 2022

Parts stores do not carry the OAT coolant for our trucks, the quick change place probibly used the prestone type antifreeze that is usually not Oat compatible, yours changed the color, some will have a jell like substance in the cooling system, I would flush your cooling system, sooner than later, W/distilled water and OEM concentrated OAT antifreeze, also make sure you flush and refill the overflow jug.

Burla · Sep 4, 2022

Live and learn.

Anyhow, once the "film" has been established, all you need is universal from here on. So you can move to peak global life and run it forever, it is the same exact base as mopar 10 year. I prefer mopar 10 year for the color factor, but once that goes away, I like using pgl.

coolant thread is most of the info

peak global life

mopar 10

ExpressRules · Sep 4, 2022

I've read numerous articles that state Prestone is usable regardless of original coolant and doesn't cause bad interactions. If that is not true can someone point me to something that says otherwise. I've used in in many cars over the years as a top off after doing repair to a sensor or hose that lowered coolant level.

BuschLatte420 · Sep 4, 2022

indept said:
Word of advice, STAY AWAY FROM QUICK CHANGE LUBE SHOPS. Many problems, didn't tighten the filter, cross threaded drain plug running it on with an impact gun, "oh they forgot to put oil back in, etc etc. People that work there probably got fired from McDonald's for putting cheese on the outside of the bun.

Agreed!

06 Dodge · Sep 4, 2022

Dodge 1500 4X4 said:
Parts stores do not carry the OAT coolant for our trucks, the quick change place probibly used the prestone type antifreeze that is usually not Oat compatible, yours changed the color, some will have a jell like substance in the cooling system, I would flush your cooling system, sooner than later, W/distilled water and OEM concentrated OAT antifreeze, also make sure you flush and refill the overflow jug.

My local Napa carry's Dex Cool that is OAT thus it should be compatible with other brands of OAT anti freeze.

06 Dodge · Sep 4, 2022

ExpressRules said:
I've read numerous articles that state Prestone is usable regardless of original coolant and doesn't cause bad interactions. If that is not true can someone point me to something that says otherwise. I've used in in many cars over the years as a top off after doing repair to a sensor or hose that lowered coolant level.

Any time you mix OAT and HOAT you shorten its life, I have been told by no less then 50%, it may not have bad interactions (like turning to gel) with other types of anti freeze but its not a good idea to mix the 2 types unless that is all you can get at the time, then IMO with in the next year you should flush the cooling system and install 100% of the proper type of coolant..

GTyankee · Sep 4, 2022

I won't recommend to anyone how to do a simple radiator flush

Myself i would go to Walmart, Albertsons, Kroger, Home Depot, Big Lots, etc.
I would buy 4 gallons of Distilled water for $5.00
Then drain the radiator into a large pan
Then fill the radiator with distilled water & run it for a couple days to a week.

repeat the process a second time, but run the Heater for a short period of time.

Drain & fill one more time & properly fill it with a good anti freeze
Then TEST the coolant mixture to get the 50/50 mix

IF you choose to use a Universal Coolant, instead of MOPAR Coolant. Mark the coolant brand & type somewhere under the hood & point it out to anyone else that may open your hood

Burla · Sep 4, 2022

There is zero reason to use dex cool in a ram, and plenty of reasons not too.

GTyankee · Sep 4, 2022

I believe 2 things are happening

1) don't want to buy coolant from Dealership or Online, too inconvenient & costly

Then they get upset when the coolant gels

Wild one · Sep 5, 2022

GTyankee said:
I believe 2 things are happening

1) don't want to buy coolant from Dealership or Online, too inconvenient & costly

Then they get upset when the coolant gels

I agree GT they'll buy a $40,000 or $50,000 truck,then whine about spending an extra 15 or 20 bucks on fluids or oils.

BuschLatte420 · Sep 5, 2022

Burla said:
There is zero reason to use dex cool in a ram, and plenty of reasons not too.

I own a GM, there is this saying for that coolant what was it again, oh, DEXKILL lol.

Brown coolant

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