Source of brown metallic sludge in coolant???

[In-transit]

Hi All,
Second post about coolant lately.
Can anyone think of a source of metallic brown sediment in coolant?
Engine in question (90k miles unknown origin, seemingly ok) that I put in my van few months ago has run fine since fitting.
Heater getting less efficient lately so cold weather made me tackle it.
Dropped coolant and it was very brown. Once settled in bucket it turned out to be a metallic particles (almost dust size) and a few bits of 2/3mm slivers of corroded metal.
Removed blocked heater matrix and that was choked with the stuff. Flushed system many times with water from watering cans (no mains water).
Water will run clear after a few gallons of fresh flushing but as soon as the engine is run up, even for a few seconds, the coolant is brown again when drained into bucket. Settles to clear water with (ever smaller) amounts of metallic brown sediment. What could it be???
I've put on fresh water pump and thermostat I had and hoses feel good? Heater matrix currently bypassed. What else could be putting sediment into the coolant or is it ' sediment from the 'past'.
Anyone got a by ideas or a crystal ball?
Arran
My love of transits surely must point to a very flawed character!

[dumper]

Being run without anti freeze at some point in its life or if being in a warmer climate and no corrosion inhibitor.

[vanfox]

I reckon you've answered your question more than once. A watering can will not flush a blocked matrix. At least mains pressure is needed. Mosy off to the nearest source armed with suitable hoses, adaptors and a big bucket to collect the water from the matrix and radiator and flush everything including the engine, including the heater hose from the head. Empty the header tank
Then back flush everything. Then do it again. Works for me. Fill with plain water and see if the heater ....heats up.
Remember the heater is air mix, it has no valve, the water is continuously at engine temp. Finally add antifreeze.

[Adam mk1]

I think run it with fresh water to get it hot and water flowing, then throw the radiator & heater matrix away, they will be blocked up with silt and start again with new rad & heater matrix, this time put antifreeze in it

[gotgcoalman]

Ive forward/backward and side ways flushed my Di today.
Heater was a bit not warm so...............
caught as much shitty coolant as possible when draining and then set about flushing the rad/matrix/engine block with
Mr Hosepipe.

Rinse fill run repeat.
total = about 3 hours.

[In-transit]

Thanks for all your input. From it I can only guess that is rust from block? Thinking about it engine was dry stored in barn for a year or two possibly more. Have flushed everything clear including matrix (it's not been refitted though, it's been bypassed) few more times. I didn't think about antifreeze having corrosion resisting properties, it's had no antifreeze since engine fitted in summer. I thought I'd put some in when weather turns, as it's stored in barn at night. It's time to put some in. I'll try that and have a look at coolant after a few miles.
Many thanks everyone.
Transits are good for the soul, like all painful experiences.

[In-transit]

Thanks for all your input. From it I can only guess that is rust from block? Thinking about it engine was dry stored in barn for a year or two possibly more. Have flushed everything clear including matrix (it's not been refitted though, it's been bypassed) few more times. I didn't think about antifreeze having corrosion resisting properties, it's had no antifreeze since engine fitted in summer. I thought I'd put some in when weather turns, as it's stored in barn at night. It's time to put some in. I'll try that and have a look at coolant after a few miles.
Many thanks everyone.
Transits are good for the soul, like all painful experiences.

[ned]

Personally I wouldn’t put water in, use coolant/antifreeze ready mixed thus will definitely have the rust inhibitors in, what are the blocks made of ally?

[gotgcoalman]

Personally I wouldn’t put water in, use coolant/antifreeze ready mixed thus will definitely have the rust inhibitors in, what are the blocks made of ally?

Ideally if you do use concentrated coolant and water..,.........
It should be distilled/de ionized water.

Vodka would work well though

[dumper]

Personally I wouldn’t put water in, use coolant/antifreeze ready mixed thus will definitely have the rust inhibitors in, what are the blocks made of ally?

Ideally if you do use concentrated coolant and water..,.........
It should be distilled/de ionized water.

Vodka would work well though

No need for that in 45 years + never used anything but tap water mixed at 50% with antifreeze.

[twin wheel camper]

Personally I wouldn’t put water in, use coolant/antifreeze ready mixed thus will definitely have the rust inhibitors in, what are the blocks made of ally?

Ideally if you do use concentrated coolant and water..,.........
It should be distilled/de ionized water.

Vodka would work well though

No need for that in 45 years + never used anything but tap water mixed at 50% with antifreeze.

+1

[In-transit]

Thanks for that everyone. I've got antifreeze on order and I'll distill some vodk. . I mean water.

[ned]

Personally I wouldn’t put water in, use coolant/antifreeze ready mixed thus will definitely have the rust inhibitors in, what are the blocks made of ally?

Ideally if you do use concentrated coolant and water..,.........
It should be distilled/de ionized water.

Vodka would work well though

No need for that in 45 years + never used anything but tap water mixed at 50% with antifreeze.

+1 [/quote]

Each to their own hence why I said me personally, when I finally get my beemer sorted I’m planning on waterless coolant for it

[dumper]

Yes that waterless coolant sounds good supposed to boil at a higher temperature it was on wheeler dealers a few years back Ed had a bit of mucking about to get all the water out of the engine to be able to use it and it wasn’t cheap but longer lasting then antifreeze ok if you don’t get a leak.

[gotgcoalman]

Yes that waterless coolant sounds good supposed to boil at a higher temperature it was on wheeler dealers a few years back Ed had a bit of mucking about to get all the water out of the engine to be able to use it and it wasn’t cheap but longer lasting then antifreeze ok if you don’t get a leak.

Need to flush the system before installation of the new coolant though.

So wash rinse repeat and forget

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