Brown Coolant?

[deathbyplaane]

I had my oil changed about 1k miles ago, and the dealership told me to keep an eye on my fluids because the oil and coolant were a little low when I brought it in. So I've been keeping a regular watch on my oil and coolant but today I noticed my coolant had turned dark brown from that light pink, oil was normal. The coolant also had an odd smell, has this happened to anyone? Does anyone know what could be causing it? I'm praying it's not a head gasket. Thanks

EDIT: '97 SR5 4wd

 

[alaskaflyer]

if your coolant hadn't been changed for a long time there may be some corrosion in your radiator and that may be what's causing your coolant to turn brown, if it were oil and coolant mixing due to a head gasket your oil would be milky in color. You could try getting your radiator flushed, they sell kits at the auto parts store that will remove deposits.

 

[deathbyplaane]

if your coolant hadn't been changed for a long time there may be some corrosion in your radiator and that may be what's causing your coolant to turn brown, if it were oil and coolant mixing due to a head gasket your oil would be milky in color. You could try getting your radiator flushed, they sell kits at the auto parts store that will remove deposits.

Thanks, I think I'll try that first. I'm not sure what the previous owner did but I'm sure it's due for a flush/change.

 

[drmorbius]

I had my oil changed about 1k miles ago, and the dealership told me to keep an eye on my fluids because the oil and coolant were a little low when I brought it in. So I've been keeping a regular watch on my oil and coolant but today I noticed my coolant had turned dark brown from that light pink, oil was normal. The coolant also had an odd smell, has this happened to anyone? Does anyone know what could be causing it? I'm praying it's not a head gasket. Thanks

EDIT: '97 SR5 4wd

Check the condition of your transmission fluid.

 

[brian2sun]

Rust?

 

[deathbyplaane]

Check the condition of your transmission fluid.

It was checked a ~ 4 of months ago, I'll check again tomorrow. What am I looking for?

 

[kball]

If it doesn't look like this, you have a problem

 

[drmorbius]

It was checked a ~ 4 of months ago, I'll check again tomorrow. What am I looking for?

You are looking for coolant in your trans fluid. The trans fluid is cooled in the radiator and sometimes the tube with trans fluid in it (surrounded by coolant) corrodes through allowing the trans fluid and coolant to mix. It looks like a strawberry milkshake kind of. You mentioned the coolant had a new smell. Is it anything like trans fluid smell?

 

[deathbyplaane]

I checked the trans fluid and it looks fine... I don't think the coolant smells like trans fluid, I'm not how to explain it; kind of burnt - fishy.