Besides someone mixing green antifreeze (coolant) with the red/Orange one..what would make the coolant brown?

Question

Took my 2002 Ford Winstar in for a oil change and they said the coolant was brown? Is this serious and what could cause it?

What do you mean oil contamination?
My van is leaking oil told me today when I took it in for oil change...

Answer 1

Antifreeze is like oil, tires, filters etc... It will wear out. Although it won't freeze you loose all your inhibiters allowing your rad. to rust from the inside. Every other year drain and dispose your coolant. Do not drain on the ground or save because it will kill animals. Take it to your local parts store or fire department for disposal. Now remove your thermostat and flush. Install a new T/stat and gasket. Fill with a 50 50 mix of antifreeze and water. Start your car and let it run for 30 minutes. Kill it and allow to cool for another 15 minutes. Top off your fluid level and fill your resivour to the full mark. Check for the next 2-3 mornings for leaks and to see if more coolant is needed. After that your good for the next 2 yrs.

Answer 2

It's not a good idea at all, because they are different, contrary to what others say here. They are not supposed to be mixed, that is one reason they are different colors. However, there are some new antifreezes that can be added to both green or orange. I would suggest draining and flushing the system and refilling it with the correct coolant. Here's why. Engine blocks and radiators are often made of aluminum, and aluminum can corrode if the wrong coolant or the wrong mixture are used. This corrosion can cause lots of problems, both from overheating due to all this corrosion dissolving and clogging up the radiator, or from the corrosion and deterioration of critical engine parts. Some engines are built with aluminum heads and iron blocks, and if the wrong coolant is used, electrolysis occurs between the head and the block, which can cause very small compression leaks, which can cause water to enter the cylinders, causing all kinds of other problems, not the least of which is what is referred to as a "slugged" engine that will not turn over. This can in turn damage your starter. It is simply not worth it to ignore your car's manual.

Answer 3

If you have not changed the coolant yet I suggest that you have a professional perform a test with a special Die and a black light to see if there is actually oil and antifreeze mixed. The results of this test are best when performed on the old antifreeze and engine oil before you change or flush the system. I had the test done and my head gasket was at fault. Is your car overheating at all?
If you mixed the red and the green together you will need a complete flush to get those out of the system anyway.

Answer 4

A 2002 Windstar uses GREEN coolant. 2003 was the model year Ford switched to GOLD coloured coolant. Just have a coolant flush done and you'll be okay.

Unless the oil is leaking INTERNALLY, which I doubt is the case, since an oil change "technician" is the one who brought it to your attention, I wouldn't be too concerned unless you are consuming oil, meaning that you need to top up your engine oil more than a quart between oil changes. Just have the coolant flush done, and you'll be fine as I've already advised.

Answer 5

Either the coolant is very old and needs to be flushed wich is not a big deal or you have a blown head gasket and oil is mixing with the coolant which is a very big deal. So big that its not usually worth fixing.

Answer 6

The inside of the raditor has some rust or sludge build up in the
bottom of it. Discoloration means its time to change its no longer
doing a good job. Engine will over-heat when the temperture
outside gets above 75 degree's and U run your A.C. unit.

Answer 7

Rust can cause this as well as oil in the water/antifreeze thru the head gaskets.

Answer 8

brown, it can be from rust, which is unlikely, but can happen...
if there are hole in the block that leads to ur radiater, it might be oil, did your oil smell like dead fish??? u changed ur antifreeze? well it should be changed every 2-5years. so if its your first time changeing it might be brown, but check it now, is it still green? if not change it and check it like in a week, then if brown, check every cooling systems.

Answer 9

It could be rust but more than likely the coolant is burnt. I would have the water pump checked.

Answer 10

hope u dont have oil leaking into your coolant system this will lead to costly repairs. best case its just a little engine rust and it needs to be flushed...........lots of causes for that unless u have been changing u your own fluids.