Disgusting inside coolant resovoir

[GotToyota?]

I put on my NA-T intercooler for fun tonight since I was bored, but I noticed that when I took out my coolant resovoir, the fluid/coolant inside was a very nasty dark brown. I look inside and realize there is a big chunk of rust at the bottom, have no idea what this came from. I loosened the rust out with WD-40, and washed it out a bunch of times. I also noticed that the sensor bolt at the bottom was rusted, I believe that's what it all came from. I put new coolant and water in the resovoir and was good to go. I haven't started it up again since then, but if it DOES get that rusty color again, does that mean that I need to flush out my radiator or possibly look into getting another?

Cliffs: Took out coolant resovoir, fluid was rusty brown. Is there a problem with my radiator?

-Matt

 

[ForcedTorque]

Matt,

I pulled the cap off my resevoir the other day, and found something similar. At the bottom of the hose on the cap, there was a rusty lookin something that looked like plastic. It was stuck in one of the holes of the pick up nipple down there. Once I removed it, my bird cage finally went off. I had burped, and checked my system several times, but never found it.

The only explanation I can come up with goes like this (please don't flame)
My car sat idle for almost 2 years after it's previous owner had blown a head gasket. I suspect he had run straight water in the radiator, and a small amout of this rusty "coolant" was left in the resevoir. Over those 2 years in a climate where 100 degree temperatures and 100% humidity often collide, this mixture evaporated and crystalized. Once rebuilt, and good coolant flowed through here the crystalized sheet got sucked into the tube. I think the change in pressures due to the clog caused my bird cage to light.

 

[cjsupra90]

Is it like a slimy gel?

If so, its the coolant that is doing that. Its a problem with a lot of modern long/extended life coolants). When its hot and exposed to oxygen, its forms a rusty/brownish colored gel like substance.

I've had the same problem in the past and since then have strictly used to Toyota coolent and or old style normal coolant and flush the system and overflow bottle once a year. No slimy gel since then.