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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: RockOcean on June 09, 2016, 01:58:32 pm

Title: Grey Coolant??
Post by: RockOcean on June 09, 2016, 01:58:32 pm

Hello all, it has been almost 4 years since my "AAZ rebuild (broke down in Maine)" post where I rebuilt my motor thanks to the help of you all. I have put about 90,000 miles on the motor since then.

Recently I noticed that my coolant has turned grey and seems to have tiny bits of rubber inside the expansion tank. Any ideas on why it is, and how to fix this?

It does not overheat, and I haven't had to add coolant for awhile.


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7360/27533979696_07f05ebcb4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HX5QTS)GreyCoolant01 (https://flic.kr/p/HX5QTS) by RockOcean.com (https://www.flickr.com/photos/atflickr/), on Flickr

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7423/27568062055_0a6440442b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/J16woK)GreyCoolant02 (https://flic.kr/p/J16woK) by RockOcean.com (https://www.flickr.com/photos/atflickr/), on Flickr

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7234/27568067965_3f875b271f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/J16y9D)GreyCoolant (https://flic.kr/p/J16y9D) by RockOcean.com (https://www.flickr.com/photos/atflickr/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Grey Coolant??
Post by: ORCoaster on June 09, 2016, 10:43:36 pm

I have never seen that before.  Perhaps a ground up gremlin?  You will never have another electrical problem again. 

It almost looks like a hose deteriorating OR something corroding off the flanges.  Very odd indeed.

 

Title: Re: Grey Coolant??
Post by: vanbcguy on June 10, 2016, 07:29:57 am

I'd be leaning towards a hose on its way out for sure.  What are you running for coolant?  I know the Vanagon cooling system is a bit of a *** but it'd be worth flushing the whole thing and replacing it with G12/G13 if you do have to open it up to replace a hose.  That stuff is awesome.

Title: Re: Grey Coolant??
Post by: RockOcean on June 10, 2016, 12:46:29 pm

I agree, trouble is knowing which one is causing it. I would hate to flush it all out and put new coolant in only for it to turn grey again. I have been using the universal green coolant over the past 4 years. I guess it would be best to flush the system then disconnect all the hoses and check inside.

Title: Re: Grey Coolant??
Post by: air-cooled or diesel on June 10, 2016, 01:13:37 pm

i think you have it backwards, find/replace bad hose, it could also turn out to be an o-ring sealing a water flange. after this id then flush.

Title: Re: Grey Coolant??
Post by: ORCoaster on June 10, 2016, 03:09:36 pm

Are there any O rings other than the one at the thermostat on a Van?  Not familiar enough to know.  But those dots do look rubber like don't they. 

Title: Re: Grey Coolant??
Post by: RockOcean on June 11, 2016, 03:00:00 pm

I do believe the only other o-ring is where the water pump housing connects to the block. I will let you know what I find once I get to a good place to drain the system, and can get whatever hose maybe deteriorating. I have heard some of the hoses are hard to come by. Any tips, on where to source them?

Title: Re: Grey Coolant??
Post by: RockOcean on July 20, 2016, 12:31:04 pm

I ended up buying 40ft of 5/8" heater hose for the heater core, with plans to replace it once flushing the system. After flushing the system the inside of those hoses looked fine, so I just refilled it. I have driven about 500 mile since then with no signs of grey coolant returning :~ )

Title: Re: Grey Coolant??
Post by: RabbitJockey on July 20, 2016, 12:45:27 pm

i was thinking headgasket but that'd have other symptoms, glad to hear it's worked out.