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#1
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My coolant is BROWN-with pics
Tranny fluid is pink, Engine oil is black but the dang coolant is brown.
Here is what I know- it looks like oil or some sort, I can see the 'fat lobules', whatever it is is lighter than water. I have flushed the coolant about 6 times already with a solution of distilled water and cheapo walmart coolant. When I first drained it, it was dark brown, it progressively got lighter brown. I am out of water and coolant now and will do it again tomorrow after I get resupplied. Here are the pictures...It is not rust. Does anyone have any idea what it is?
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Ben 1987 190d 2.5Turbo |
#2
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If your trans cooler is in your radiator might be time to be think about swapping out your rad. How pink are we talking?
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1996 s10 zr2 with a 6.5 turbo diesel 1996 c2500 suburban with a 6.5 turbo diesel 1981 300sd with a turbo 617 Monte carlo figure 8 car |
#3
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Yep, bad headgasket
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#4
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headgasket? sounds like the wrong symptoms to me...
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1996 s10 zr2 with a 6.5 turbo diesel 1996 c2500 suburban with a 6.5 turbo diesel 1981 300sd with a turbo 617 Monte carlo figure 8 car |
#5
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That looks like oil floating in the coolant.....not a good sign. Send some oil in for analysis and see if it comes back positive for coolant contamination, then you'll know for sure.
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#6
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Is that coolant or trans fluid in the blue jugs?
If it is coolant, try & decant some of the oil off the top. You can soak it into some paper towel. If its pink/red its trans fluid. Try a flush with straight water & see what you get.
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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort.... 1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket. 1980 300D now parts car 800k miles 1984 300D 500k miles 1987 250td 160k miles English import 2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles 1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo. 1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion. Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving |
#7
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Yeah, pink trans fluid is a sign of water contamination. Trans should be red to dirty red, depending on mileage since the last service. Have you noticed lower/higher than normal fluid levels?
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Thanks, Mark in NC "Spark plugs?...We don't need no stinking spark plugs!" 1985 300SD "Der Silberne Schlitten" 420,000 mi Wish these were diesel: 2003 Ford Club Wagon 130,000 mi |
#8
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Once all of this is resolved, a citrus flush might help clean out the rest of the contamination.
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1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head) 1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000 1981 300D - 250,000 |
#9
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More pictures
the first picture shows two blots of ATF- the lighter one came directly from the tranny dipstick, the second came directly from the Dextron III container (does this w201 use Dextron III? is it the proper baseline shade? ). Clearly the shades of pink are different.
the second picture shows what gunk is in the coolant. I just dipped a clean paper towel into the reservoir. looks more brown than red. Next question- is the radiator for the 1987 190d 2.5 the same as the radiator for the 1987 190d 2.5 turbo? the parts guide does not make a distinction. All comments are welcome. I'd like to just get the car rolling again.
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Ben 1987 190d 2.5Turbo |
#10
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Ben,
If you flush & fill with straight water what color is the gunk in the water?
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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort.... 1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket. 1980 300D now parts car 800k miles 1984 300D 500k miles 1987 250td 160k miles English import 2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles 1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo. 1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion. Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving |
#11
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I'm not sure if you would want to do this - it is a lot of work - but I'll suggest it anyway.
Why not disconnect the transmission oil cooler lines from the bottom of the radiator and plug them to stop fluid loss. Then fill the radiator with more coolant / water (though don't leave it in there for long) and see if the radiator holds pressure when the engine gets warm? If the radiator is leaking into the oil cooler side you'll soon see it. Failing that pressure test the radiator with proper kit if you can get hold of it.
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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits! Last edited by Stretch; 01-17-2011 at 05:36 AM. Reason: spelling |
#12
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Quote:
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Thanks, Mark in NC "Spark plugs?...We don't need no stinking spark plugs!" 1985 300SD "Der Silberne Schlitten" 420,000 mi Wish these were diesel: 2003 Ford Club Wagon 130,000 mi |
#13
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Quote:
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Thanks, Mark in NC "Spark plugs?...We don't need no stinking spark plugs!" 1985 300SD "Der Silberne Schlitten" 420,000 mi Wish these were diesel: 2003 Ford Club Wagon 130,000 mi |
#14
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how do you plug the connection to the radiator? will golf tees work?
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Ben 1987 190d 2.5Turbo |
#15
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Perhaps, but usually you get a vacuum plug/fitting assortment with a mighty vac kit. As long as it seals, it should work. You can also try the golf tee trick.
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Thanks, Mark in NC "Spark plugs?...We don't need no stinking spark plugs!" 1985 300SD "Der Silberne Schlitten" 420,000 mi Wish these were diesel: 2003 Ford Club Wagon 130,000 mi |
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