Brown Coolant...GRRRR

millhouse

Founding Member
May 14, 2002
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Simpsonville, SC
Well, I just recently finished up my engine swap. I found a low mileage mountaineer engine, and ploped her into my notch. Now my coolant is nasty brown. It smells like it has a hint of oil in it. I've flushed the living crap out of the coolant system, but as soon as I close her up, it turns brown again. Now I'm not talking about oil deposits at the top either. This stuff is solid brown in color.

Now, the engine was pickled...so I was thinking that in the process of the pickling, or more likely the process of swapping intakes...oil was introduced into the cooling system. If that was the case though, I would have thought that the hours worth of flushing I've done, and the re-installation of the lower intake would have gotten it all out. I also have a new radiator, so that isnt an issue either.

I'm praying that this is not a head gasket issue. My oil looks perfect, and I dont seem to be loosing any. My exhaust smell peachy, so it doesnt appear that I'm burning coolant.

Any comments would be helpfull.

Oh, btw...she runs like a champ!!! :banana: