Crust on overflow tank

[fdbyrne]

Is this normal?

I had my head gaskets replaced about 6 months ago and haven't noticed any problems since until a few days ago. I smelled warm coolant after a drive and found this under the hood.

When not running, the coolant level is in the normal range.

 

[jamesewells]

I'm interested in this as well. mine does the same thing, from time to time.

 

[fdbyrne]

Thanks for posting and bumping the thread. I'm still looking for an answer.

 

[bob3dsf]

Tank too full??

I'll bump also by saying that I get this stuff as well. I had been worrying that it was indicating a head gasket problem (I have the V6, though it's an 08 and I gather the 06-09's have a very low incidence of HG problems vs. the 04-05's). But I have no other symptoms of HG problems. In my research I had begun to think that by filling my overflow tank to the top line, I was getting overflow from that when the fluid is hot and at it's highest expansion. My fluid would drop down near the lower mark after a while (thus making me think about losing fluid due to HG leak). But, the level has been stable where it's at. Anyway I wonder if it's overflowing due to filling the overflow tank too much... ???

 

[fdbyrne]

My head gaskets were replaced in December and the dealer filled the coolant afterwards. I don't recall this happening until recently. If I had to guess I'd say that either my overflow tank cap is defective in some way or the weather warming up for the first time since the system was overhauled has caused the fluid level to rise which is why I haven't had it happen before now.