• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Oh Snap - The Magic Yoo-Hoo Machine: Brown Coolant


RangerJoey

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2017
Messages
96
Reaction score
7
Points
8
Location
BMore
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L V6
Transmission
Automatic
My credo
Teen Wolf for President!
Hi All,
I'm trying to flush the cooling system on a '99 4.0 OHV and first drained the coolant on a cool engine. Rather disgusting:


Nasty stuff. I then removed the thermostat, threw a bottle of Prestone flush + distilled water in there, let it idle with the heat maxed and drained again:


Not much difference. I did a 3rd flush with just distilled water, (again, still no thermostat and up to operating temp with cabin heat on):


Clearly, a lack of progress. I've since done a 4th flush too. The first flush had a lot more sediment and color was darker, (only because I can compare side by side), but even this 4th or 5th flush (with the peacock open), is still pretty nasty. The consistency of each flush is definitely more water-like so I'm not worried about oil contamination, but does anyone have any ideas if this is normal neglect or something else going on? I see no signs of leakage but I'm concerned the sediment I keep pulling might be one of those radiator sealers:


At this point, I think I've gone through about 8 gallons of distilled water. I'll keep going to do it right, but is there light at the end of the tunnel or should I sell this stuff to neighborhood kids?
 


Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,709
Reaction score
13,165
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
What does the oil look like?
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,213
Reaction score
17,528
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Not unheard of for southern trucks to just run water. Good for plugging up heater cores with rust. Is it from down south?
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,991
Reaction score
2,793
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
I'd a garden hose and run that through until things look clean, then switch to distilled once it runs clear.
 

RangerJoey

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2017
Messages
96
Reaction score
7
Points
8
Location
BMore
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L V6
Transmission
Automatic
My credo
Teen Wolf for President!
Thanks all! And nope, truck has been in MD it's whole life. Just means southern weather one summer, then New England-like the next :confused:
Oil is clean though. Did a change shortly before this. Still super clean. But I like the garden hose idea. How would I do that though? I've seen things like splicing into the heater core and stuff.
I should also mention, I have new hoses and t-Stat housing but wanted to wait until things ran clear. Would that help now or stick with the plan?
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,872
Reaction score
5,031
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
When you have it up to temp, is the rad the same temp on all areas? I've pulled a rad apart that had water like yours and the sediment clogged the bottom third of the rad. No amount of flushing is going to clean that out.
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Could be worse. I changed my radiator one day because it was leaking a bit, coolant was black.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
Mmmmmmmm i just made myself a big glass of ovaltine.
 

black_demon69

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Messages
1,510
Reaction score
142
Points
63
Location
AZ
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0l
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
A few things
1 add flushing T s to the heater core Inlet and outlet (you will need a female hose adapter to connect to hose also)
2 take hose out of over flow and shorten it with angle and clean over flow (with shorter hose it won't suck coolant in right off the bottom so let's crap settle over night and acts like a filter of sorts) also over will have to be cleaned and refilled periodically.
3 flush system with tstat removed and 1T open and other T with hose attached open T is used to give short bursts of air while flushing
4 replace tstat and remove as much water as possible before refilling with a 60/40 mix of global (yellow) coolant

It will have to be done again but give it about 3 months because it is almost impossible to get it all the first time.. Then it might even need to be done again after that.
 

RangerJoey

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2017
Messages
96
Reaction score
7
Points
8
Location
BMore
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L V6
Transmission
Automatic
My credo
Teen Wolf for President!
Thanks all for the input so far - much appreciated! I think longterm, I have no problem replacing the radiator. I wouldn't mind doing it now, but I know it's a rabbit hole thing with me, (leads to water pump, belt, etc). After thinking about it, I probably should play it conservatively and swap the radiator. I can't get my temp gun to get an accurate reading with the engine running to figure out if it's sludge in the passageways or the radiator itself, but considering I was already going to do the hoses & t-stat, why not pull the unit and trash it?

Next question though: If doing the radiator, what else should I be doing with all that clearance? Water pump? Idler Pulley? Serpentine Belt? Oh, and before even starting this, should I continue flushing until I can get things as clear as possible? I'd hate to dirty up those purdy hoses I just picked up :giggle: Just thinking that water's never going to look good until I get the old parts out of there.
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,991
Reaction score
2,793
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
At the very least, pull the radiator and flush it separately. You can flip it upside down, spray it on both directions, etc until you're sure things are coming clean.
 

RangerJoey

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2017
Messages
96
Reaction score
7
Points
8
Location
BMore
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L V6
Transmission
Automatic
My credo
Teen Wolf for President!
Silly question, but which way do I turn the fan clutch bolt to remove it?
I got the radiator and shroud out in 20 minutes. Then - boom - stopped all progress.
The shroud says it's RH thread on this 4.0 OHV. So does that mean turn left/passenger side (when facing the truck)? Or right, driver's side.
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,213
Reaction score
16,350
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
As you face the head of the bolt, turn it counter-clockwise.
 

RangerJoey

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2017
Messages
96
Reaction score
7
Points
8
Location
BMore
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L V6
Transmission
Automatic
My credo
Teen Wolf for President!
Thank you! And seriously dense, but that's towards passenger side facing truck?
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

No members online now.

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top