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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Rust colored coolant

  • Thread starter Thread starter CaseyRF
  • Start date Start date Mar 10, 2020
C

CaseyRF

New Member
Feb 19, 2020
12
0
1
Morehead City
Mar 10, 2020
#1
  • Mar 10, 2020
  • #1
I have flushed my coolant 12+ times in an attempt to get pure water back out of the radiator. However, it still has a rust tint to it.
The reason is because I’m about to install new hoses and radiator and wanted a clean system before install.

Any recommendations?
 

RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT
Mod Dude
Jul 20, 2014
4,733
3,175
203
Taylorsville ky
Mar 10, 2020
#2
  • Mar 10, 2020
  • #2
Air pressure and water usually works the best. You can try chemical coolant flushes with rust inhibitors , but it’s likely you will never get all the rust out. Cause it’s going to be an every crevice it can find in the cooling system .
 

Gs1987GT

Active Member
Sep 25, 2019
484
170
53
MidAtlantic
Mar 10, 2020
#3
  • Mar 10, 2020
  • #3
In my experience, once the inside of the block rusts due to neglect of cooling system maintenance, there's no going back. Sooner or later your new coolant will be rust colored again.

Only way I know to get rid of it is tear down the engine and have the block cooked out.
 

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to
15 Year Member
Jun 28, 2013
3,427
1,518
194
Maryland
Mar 10, 2020
#4
  • Mar 10, 2020
  • #4
Flush it out as best you can, put the proper mix of coolant / water in, then forget about it.
 
8

89 fox 351

Member
Mar 8, 2020
10
1
13
Texas
Mar 10, 2020
#5
  • Mar 10, 2020
  • #5
You're doing it the right way. There is no other secret method. Like the others have stated you'll most likely never get it all. Flush the heater core separately with a garden hose. Same with your current radiator. Remove top and bottom radiator hose and flush with garden hose. Hold your hand over the bottom, let the radi fill up, puke it out, repeat a few times. Obviously catch all the coolant first, don't go letting that junk dribble down the driveway.

Then once it's clear water, hook it all up, burp it, drive it, repeat until satisfied, then put your new stuff on.

Honestly it's overkill but if that's what you want to do, go for it.

Otherwise just run it, it'll be fine.
 

Neuron

5 Year Member
Nov 6, 2016
859
192
93
Mar 14, 2020
#6
  • Mar 14, 2020
  • #6
Cast Iron it will never come completely clean.
 
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