11 replies to this topic

[Ron Alan]

I've seen this 3 times now over the years. Has been in both 1.6 and 1.8 motors. Each time, the coolant just turns into mud and regardless the number of flushes it just keeps occuring. This always reeks havoc with the cooling  Cause? Maybe electrical current misdirected?

[Bench Racer]

Maybe someone from this site is connected to an analytical lab that could test the mud for it's source?

[trimless]

Have the same issue with a 1.8, really would like to know how to solve the problem too.

[Johnny D]

Purple Ice says "corrosion inhibitor"

 

http://purple-ice.com/

 

Maybe worth a try if you're using Water Wetter.

J~

[Johnny D]

Just in searching...

http://www.barsleaks...ant-heavy-duty/

 

Maybe a flush, IDK.

http://www.thecaryco...ltisurface.html

J~

[Ron Alan]

Thanks for the effort John...but there has to be a root cause??  Would like to understand why this happens since it does not happen in the majority of motors. I just drained a block that has been sitting for 12 years...no rust, just a lot of clear water(very little antifreeze if any). I cant imagine this happened in many street cars. I think there is something we are doing when we build a car that creates this problem...either deleting something or adding something??

[Johnny D]

Well I think the block is made out of cast iron which rusts, but doesn't with coolant in it and the lack of oxygen in the system.

Stainless Steel and Aluminum doesn't rust but costs more to make.

 

But air and water do it, so your supposed to add the water wetter.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rust

 

J~

[Ron Alan]

Thanks for the science lesson...pretty sure i'm aware of the obvious!

 

What i'm looking for is a reason the rust process would seem to be accelerated in certain situations. The particular car I looked at this weekend has been using distilled and water wetter since the new motor was put in. I did read that air or leaks in the system will cause rust to occur more quickly. But I'm just wondering, based on the 2 new motors I've seen that rusted instantly, if its a function of the block that was used(not cleaned or cleaned to well...corrosion protection maybe baked right off?), or is there some sort of electrolysis going on or in reverse? Sorry...not a mad scientist or electrical engineer here so sorry if I'm not using terms correctly!

[Johnny D]

That's why I started with how to get rid of it first and not insult you with the obvious until later. 

J~

[Johnny D]

I'm not sure if Mike did mine, but I thought I heard you need/should use coolant during the break in period.

Maybe the engine builders can shed some light.

J~

[tom1977]

Water wetter is not a Very good corrosion inhibitor given my experience. If you run distilled, it is always a good idea to store the car with a antifreeze mix. Can use rust inhibitor additive.

[Alberto]

FWIW, the coolant/water in my car's cooling system was kinda muddy looking after I installed a used Koyo I bought on craigslist.  Yeah, I'm a sucker for a deal...  I had thought that it would have cleaned up after the new engine as the block was cleaned thoroughly by the machine shop.  It didn't.  I wound up removing the thermostat and running a flush and fill cycle with Prestone cleaner stuff.  Then I did another 6 fill, bring up to temps, flush, repeat with distilled water.  It was pretty clean after the 6th cycle.  There was a bunch of crap in the radiator fins in my case.  Not sure if it's the same crap you saw in yours.