Just bought a third gen-07qcsb 4x4 5.7. I recently checked the coolant and found a brownish/orange fluid occupying the radiator. Is this the dealer coolant color, or has someone run straight water through my block? (looks almost like rust).



The coolant overflow tank has red colored coolant in it (dex-cool maybe?)



Am I good, or do I need to flush it out? Don't wanna deal with rust damage.

 

Its never a bad idea when you buy a used vehicle to change the fluids. You never know when it was changed or what it was changed with. It least if you do it yourself you have peace of mind in knowing its new fluid.

 

The particles could be scale deposits.

I would do a drain and fill. It'll change out 85% of the fluid(block will contain the rest). You need Hoat G-05, I believe. Use only distilled water. You can buy it at the grocery store in gallons for dirt cheap. You'll need 2gal of water for your 2gal of concentrate

How many miles are on it?

 

70k miles and change. I planned on changing it, but not this soon. Might do it next weekend; its looking like rain today.

Is that the color of the Mopar coolant, or is it water w/ rust? Has a faint smell of antifreeze, and a filmy/slimy texture.

 

I'm guessing that the previous owner changed it out at some point, the original is red, but what you have looks like the orange universal stuff-----good for iron or aluminum components. Either way, its a great idea to change it out regularly, with a good flush. Keeps the ph and anti oxidants where they belong. Last time I did mine I used the universal orange stuff, a few years ago, now at 161K and no problems.

2005, 2500---5.7