1997 4runner brown radiator fluid, help!

[vegas4runner69]

car gets hot, checked the coolant and its brown and it boils into the overflow... please help... I know it needs flushing but perhaps its more? Thank you.

 

[Nunyabiz]

What was the original color?

If it was lime green or whatever then you might have a "Brown Milkshake" instead of a Pink Milkshake.

I am assuming the ATF mixing with lime green might make brown.

Check your ATF see what it looks like.

Either way sounds like a new radiator I would think.

 

[Pioww]

Wether you flush or replace your radiator, check to make sure your heater core is not clogged. Run the defogger to see if it get hot.

 

[ABOZEYAD]

what was the original color?

If it was lime green or whatever then you might have a "brown milkshake" instead of a pink milkshake.

I am assuming the atf mixing with lime green might make brown.

Check your atf see what it looks like.

Either way sounds like a new radiator i would think.

do this as of right now please....

 

[fourwd1]

Rust can turn old coolant brown, the cooling system may just need a good flushing

 

[vegas4runner69]

Results!

Thank you all for your informative comments! Very helpful site.... I did completely flush the radiator and removed the thermostat and its housing.... Thermostat was trashed and sticking... Ran water through the block and flushed it was all rust colored water. Put new coolant in and started it up... Same thing happened upon driving... Radiator wont hold pressure at all... Bad radiator all RUSTED to hell.... So today I am installing a new radiator... Hope that will do the trick... Vegas4runner.....