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Why Tosol darkened and became brown and what to do. Why did the antifreeze (Tosol) darkened? We dealt the main causes of antifreeze changed the color on the brown

02.11.2019

Antifreeze is one of the main liquids in the car. From its quality directly depends on the work of the entire cooling system and functioning power plant. Often during operation, the refrigerant changes its color, and then you have to urgently take action. Why Tosol became brown and what it is connected with, let's talk in our article.

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What will happen if you do not change on time?

It should be understood that after long-term operation, the refrigerant loses its original properties. It circulates inside the system, but gradually decreases its effectiveness. From this, the cooling node suffers heavy loads, which adversely affects the engine.

Each manufacturer puts different reference dates for refrigerant, but, in fact, the resource of operation is the same for almost all machines.

Approximate use of antifreeze:

  • G11 - 2-3 years;
  • G12 - up to 5 years;
  • G13 - about 6 years.

Causes of color change and smell of fluid

Experienced motorists know that with time inside expansion tank Instead of familiar shades, you can see an incomprehensible dark fluid. The process of changing the color of the refrigerant is not normal.

In most cases, Tosol acquires a brown shade or completely black, in rare - it foams, darkens, it happens with flakes. And often it happens somewhere 2-3 weeks after replacing the fluid.

Any antifreeze darkening displays important problemsthat cannot be left without attention. Probably came out. This can be determined by color transformation. At first it changes with blue on green, then on transparent. Or becomes yellow, and then - completely colorless. Thus, the loss of the initial color indicates the unsuitability of fluid to further operation. At the same time, the refrigerant acquires strong and nasty smell.

But often the problem is caused by the following reasons:

  1. The surfaces of metal nodes and parts were oxidized that the liquid washes. it frequent problem in used machines. Rust appears on them, it falls into antifreeze circulating throughout the system. From this the color changes.
  2. In the expansion tank, poor-quality toosol was flooded, without restraining additives. As you know, too, aggressive liquid easily eats rubber materials: hoses, nozzles, gaskets. In this case, the refrigerant will be black.
  3. Instead of antifreeze, ordinary water is often used. This happens, for example, on the road, when the coolant is not coolant, and one of the nozzles is torn. It is necessary to pour water from under the tap, which over time will form scatter on the walls of the radiator.
  4. Antifreeze lost its properties and changed color. Its additives with protective characteristics stopped working, the liquid is no longer able to withstand high temperatures. Already at 90 ° C may form foam.
  5. Inside the coolant fell motor oil. This happens for various reasons, as a rule, the gasket of the GBC is dissipated.
  6. Adding to the radiator of chemical means. Some motorists believe in miraculous additives, allegedly rapidly eliminate leaks in the radiator. In fact, the benefit of them is no, but the collapse of the refrigerant changes strongly, as it reacts with these substances.
  7. Antifreeze was replaced, but the system was not washed for a long time. Accumulated deposits. When a new liquid is poured, all pollutants are mixed with it, Tosol blacks out or becomes muddy.
  8. Faulty cooling system or oil exchanger, which is installed on many modern cars with powerful engines. Especially if Tosol has blackened.

It is noteworthy that in some cases antifreeze becomes red. This happens over time, and the cause is the reaction of the engine exposed to excessive loads. For example, if a car often stands in traffic jams or drivers, the driver does not comply with the rules, then the coolant is rapidly losing properties. In addition, red color indicates the presence of corrosion on the elements of the system.

What to do?

First of all, given the importance of the work of the power plant, and in order to protect themselves from the extra charges of the overhaul, it is recommended to check the engine. If obvious overheating is not observed, antifreeze is still suitable for further use, the color change is unequivocally caused by corrosion in tubes or by burning additives. Refresh the refrigerant in this situation will be worth it, although it is optional.

On the contrary, in the case when Tosol changed the color on black or brown and smells very much, and the engine is often overheated, then it is necessary to replace the work as soon as possible.

In order to replace the fluid, it is recommended to do the following:

  1. Merge all antifreeze from the system.
  2. Remove the expansion tank, and then carefully clean and rinse it. There are many ways to do it. You can pour inside the small rubble, after which it is actively shaken with a container within a few minutes. Free up a tank from pollution and rinse with clean water.
  3. Pour into the radiator distillate.
  4. Drive about 5 km and merge.
  5. Repeat the procedure three or four times.
  6. Fill high-quality antifreeze.

If a white emulsion is noticeable in the refrigerant, and motor oil floats in the form of droplets or clots in the tank, it is recommended to check rubber seals. We need to replace the gasket or damaged by another way.

Than you can rinse the system

Milk Row Acetic acid Lemon acid Hazing

Distilled water is not the only tool that is recommended to be used to flush the cooling system.

Here are some more options:

  1. Lemon acid divorced with water. It is able to effectively clear the channel channels from rust and contaminants. It is necessary to mix 30 grams of acid with 1 liter of fluid. If the hoses are scored very much, the amount of powder can be increased.
  2. Acetic acid. Also, it is not bad for the aggregate. It is interfered with water in the ratio of 0.5 liters of vinegar per 10 liters of fluid.
  3. Carbonated drinks such as Fed, Cola, sprite. The procedure is expensive, because it is necessary to use at least 10 liters of soda, but it is effective.
  4. Dairy reverse. To remove contamination, the substance is poured into the radiator. At the final stage of cleaning, you must rinse the water system.
  5. Caustic soda or sodium hydroxide. These substances will be perfectly cleaned with copper radiators. For aluminum parts, they are contraindicated.

Why after replacing Tosol quickly darkened

It is necessary to figure out whether there are pollution in the cooling system. Since the refrigerant can quickly darken due to the fact that the cooling system washed. Inside the channels and hoses remain impurities and sediments, which fall into the recently poured antifreeze circulating in a circle.

Therefore, with a planned replacement of the liquid, it is necessary to drain the old toxol and add water or the compositions described above into the radiator. Cleaning the system in this way and getting rid of a dirty substance, you can safely refuel the car with a new antifreeze. It is extremely recommended to simply add the refrigerant to the aggregate.

Video "Rusty Tosol on VAZ 2107"

On the video you can see why Tosol has become a rusty color. Removed evgenius.

Periodically, every motorist should check the fluid level in the expansion tank of the engine cooling system. This is the same procedure as, which also needs to be performed regularly. And so, the next check shows that antifreeze (or toosol) changed its usual color to rusty or brown. We all know that the coolant should be red, blue or green. What causes the cause of changes in the original color of antifreeze (antifreeze)? Is it possible to continue to operate such a car or need to solve the problem?

At the beginning of this article, it is worth mentioning that the liquid in the car cooling system has a certain service life, which is indicated by its manufacturer. As a rule, this indicator is about 50 thousand mileage kilometers. It all depends on the cost of the product and its characteristics. During the production of antifreeze, various substances are used, therefore, the life of liquids of different firms can differ significantly.

Causes of color change

Analysis of various materials on this topic showed that it is worth highlighting several main factors, which in most cases lead to the fact that antifreeze acquires rusty (brown) color.

  • Expired expiration. We mentioned this at the beginning of the article. The cooling fluid darkening indicates that the additives consisting of it can no longer cope with their functions. As a result, a characteristic precipitate is formed in the cooling system, which leads to a change in the color of antifreeze.
  • Overheating of the engine and boiling coolant (coolant). This factor is the result. undime replacement Antifreeze. The life of the liquid ends, it can no longer perform its task, which leads to a boiling. As a result, the coolant changes its original color.
  • Oxidation of metal parts of the cooling system. This item is also associated with the completion of the expiration of antifreeze. The components of the fluid are no longer able to protect the inner walls from the metal, which is why the oxidation process begins. As a result, antifreeze becomes rusty.
  • The destruction of rubber pipes. Sometimes, as a result of aging coolant and pulling out its replacement, the rubber components of the system begin to collapse. As a result, antifreeze darkens, but in this case its color is more like black.
  • Use of water as a coolant. There are situations when the engine cooling system starts to flow and the motorist fills it with ordinary water due to the absence of antifreeze or antifreeze. But such a solution can only be applied in emergency cases. Immediately after this, the system should be flushed, restore its tightness and pour a new cooling fluid. Because it does not do everything, over time they see Tososol brown color In an expansion tank.
  • Motor oil contact. The cause of the cooling fluid darkening can be its contact with oil. This can occur due to damage to the gasket of the head of the cylinder or heat exchanger (in it, the coolant can be mixed with oil). Usually, in such situations, there will be no liquid in the tank in the tank, but a peculiar emulsion of beige color, which is also called "condensed milk" (really similar!).
  • Means for eliminating the leaks of radiators. Many motorists use a variety of sealants intended for the "treatment" of the leaks of radiators. Usually they coped well with their task, but only for a short time. In addition, antifreeze itself after such contact can change the color on brown or rusty (but it happens rarely).

Any of the above situations needs to fulfill certain actions on the part of the car owner. Leave everything as it is, extremely undesirable and you should understand it.

Solution to the problem

It all depends on what exactly led to a change in the color of the coolant. If you saw an emulsion or droplets of engine oil in an expansion tank, we advise you to deal with the problem as soon as possible. Dig up gBC pads or heat exchanger. Only in these places can usually contact motor oil and antifreeze. It is not worth a delay, since such a mixture will score a system, and the engine will not cool normally. In such a situation, after eliminating the cause of the appearance of the emulsion, a high-quality flushing of the cooling system and the replacement of antifreeze is performed.

If the reason for the appearance of brown (rusty) color of antifreeze is the completion of its operational period, it only needs to be replaced.

Important! In any case, rinse the engine cooling system. Use for this only distilled water. It is necessary to flush until the water is clean. Only then pour a new cooling fluid.

If you replaced the antifreeze, there was some time (days or weeks), and its color changed again, this means that the flushing of the cooling system was made unfair.

And you can not change the coolant and ride on?

All types of coolant have a certain service life. After a while, antifreeze will lose its characteristics. What does this lead to? That's right, to overheating the engine! And what does the overheating lead to? At best, the engine power will seriously fall and oil consumption will increase. At worst, he is simply sworn, and you will not be able to continue the movement.

When antifreeze (toosol) is better, it is better to immediately solve the problem, as in the future it can pull the appearance of more serious difficulties requiring significant financial investments. Timely change the liquid in the car engine cooling system and remember that prevention is always cheaper than the repair!

The coolant is one of the main consumables in the vehicle. The operation of the cooling system, respectively, and the entire engine as a whole depends on its quality. Read more about why the consumable material changes the color for which reasons it happens and what to do in such cases, you can learn from this article.

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The reasons

In fact, the reasons why "Tosol" became brown, not so much.

Consider all of them in order:

  1. The first and most common cause - "Tosol" lost properties performance characteristics. In other words, antifreeze is no longer able to perform the functions assigned to it. As a rule, such a problem occurs as a result of a long use of coolant without replacement. Since the chemicals present in the refrigerant lose their properties, one way or another it is reflected on the color of the fluid. Accordingly, the change in its color can signal the driver about the need to replace consumables.
  2. One more of the most probable reasons is a large number of deposits in the system. When the consumables are replaced in the cooling system, the entire system must be a variable. If the flushing system is not produced, then all sediments that accumulated during operation vehicle On the old antifreeze, remain in the nozzles. Accordingly, when the new "Tosol" is flooded, it can almost immediately become brown, as soon as the expenditure material passes through all the cooling system hoses. This is the answer to the question of many car owners "Why am I only changed the antifreeze, and he became brown?". Believe me, this question cars ask themselves very often, although the answer to it lies on the surface.
  3. Metal corrosion or rubber destruction. The fact is that today many antifreeze are in their composition all sorts of inhibitors and other chemical elements that perform various functions. These additives are designed to prevent corrosion, the appearance of foam in the system, increasing the resource of the liquid service and many others. If you often interfere with one brand "Tosola" on the other, then you should not be surprised why he became brown.
    As a rule, as a result of mixing, the coolant loses its properties, which is primarily reflected on the anti-corrosion characteristics of the consumable material. Accordingly, rust begins to form almost immediately, which, of course, is immediately reflected in the color of Tosla. If he became brown, then, most likely, he lost its properties, and the internal components of the cooling system were subjected to the appearance of rust.
    Actually, for the same reason, the rubber components of the system are also destroyed. Many antifreeges today contain elements that prevent the destruction of the rubber pipes of the system. If the refrigerants are incompatibilities, these substances lose their functions, which provokes the destruction of rubber parts.
  4. Another reason can be punched by the cylinder head gasket. When traces of damage appear on the gasket, the coolant will fall into the engine. And the engine oil, on the contrary, will flow into the cooling system. As you understand, in this case wonder why Tosol has become brown, it is not worth it. After all, when mixing the coolant with motor fluid Color change is not the worst thing that can happen. As a rule, in such cases, the consumables begins to spill in the expansion tank, and its color becomes very dark.

What to do?

Regardless of why "Tosol" became brown, the coolant will need to be replaced, and rinse cool cooling system. If you have, then you will preliminarily disassemble the block head, and replace the sealing gasket.

Only after replacing the gasket can be processed to the change of consumables:

  1. So, for beginnings, antifreeze from the system should be merged. It is recommended to do it on a cold engine so as not to burn. Find the plug of the consumable material under the bottom of the car and substitute a basin, a bucket or any other container to which "testing" will be merged. To unscrew the plug hole and wait about 15-20 minutes until the antifreeze is completely out of the system.
  2. If the refrigerant darkened for the reason that rubber nozzles came into disrepair, they need to be replaced anyway. You can visually inspect all the hoses - if you can see that the refrigerant is somewhere leaking, then these nozzles need to be changed, and the places of their contact are selected.
  3. The next step will be washing the system. The plum stop must be spinning, and the lid of the expansion tank is open. As a flushing fluid, it is possible to use conventional distilled water - it will clean all sediments. However, the distillate will not be able to cope with rust. In this case, there are several ways: you can use distillate, stirred with vinegar and citric acid. In practice, this option is more efficient if you need to wash the entire rust from the system.
    In addition, for this purpose you can use special tools sold in auto-stores and designed for flushing the cooling system. We will have to spend a little, but the effect will be obvious. Some motorists for this purpose use the Kola, they say that it perfectly removes the whole rust. According to the reviews of motorists, this method is effective, however, we did not use it in practice, so we will not talk about its effectiveness. In any case, the bay washing fluid in the system, the engine must be launched for 10 minutes, let it work on idling.
    After that, the procedure of draining the coolant should be repeated. It may be necessary to repeat it several times. If you use conventional water, it is necessary to wash the system until pure water is out of it.
  4. When the system of industrial, the plum stop can be spinning, and to pour into the system new antifreeze. If the system of procure is qualitatively, the coolant will save its color for a very long time.

Conclusion

And in conclusion, I would like to celebrate several nuances that will help to increase the resource:

  1. The first thing you need to remember is that the consumables should always be of the highest quality. If you do not want to face the problem of darkened "antifreeze," you cannot use liquid purchased from traders on the side of the road or in unverified stores. If you use the original products, then pay attention to the check of its placement. Sometimes high-quality European antifreezes are manufactured in China or Mongolia, which, of course, testifies to their poor quality.
  2. Warning characteristics should also be paid attention. You need to know which specifically "Tosol" recommends using the manufacturer of your car. There are certain additives, the use of which is allowed or is not allowed by the manufacturer of the machine. Therefore, such nuances should be considered.
  3. Always before replacing the consumables, the cooling system should be rinsed. Regardless of whether obvious sediments are visible in an expansion tank or not. Washing will always help get rid of precipitation, which may not be visible to the naked eye. In any case, even after a year of exploitation, deposits will be present in the sockets of the system, which we can talk about the three to four years of the refrigerant.

Video "Washing procedure with your own hands"

About how to rinse the system on your own, look at the video.

From time to time, any owner of the vehicle needs to check the condition of liquids, in particular antifreeze. There are situations in which the coolant changes the color, becomes brown, rusty. To understand the cause, you need to analyze, and the simple replacement may not solve the problem.

Main reasons

It should be noted that antifreeze, like oil, has a certain use. Often, the replacement is required every 50,000 km, but the average indicator and depends on the quality of the liquid, the manufacturer.

There are several main factors why antifreeze has become a rusty color. The main ones are as follows:

  1. Shelf life is expired. A brown tint indicates that the additives in the material can no longer perform the assigned functions, the precipitate begins, which causes a change in color.
  2. Motor overheating. The problem may be in a late change of fluid, and after the expiration date, it boils quickly, the initial shade changes. In addition, overheating of the motor can be in many other reasons that also cause rusty color.
  3. Oxidation of parts. In the cooling system there are metal structures that can rust and change the shade of antifreeze. The problem is characteristic of long-term operation of the fluid, which can no longer protect the metal surface. The natural oxidation process begins.
  4. Destruction of pipes. Without a planned replacement of the coolant, it leads to disrepair of rubber products, namely nozzles, they gradually destroy, and their parts fall into the fluid itself, but the color will often be black, and not a red.
  5. Water instead of antifreeze. During leaks, many use water as a temporary alternative. It is necessary to use such measures in extreme cases, and after the water, the system is important thoroughly rinse, pour antifreeze. If you do not follow the rule, then metal parts from the water rust, in the future they change the color of the coolant.
  6. Oil hit. When breaking the gaskets, the engine oil can fall into the cooling system, the color changes during mixing. In this case, the antifreeze will not just be rusty, an emulsion appears in the tank, which resembles a condensed milk in color and consistency.
  7. Use of chemistry. Radiator leaks often appear during a ride, in emergency situations, additives can be used to remove leaks, sealants and other chemicals. They help for a short time, and antifreeze itself quickly repainted in brown.

Understanding what is the reason, it is necessary to eliminate it and replace the fluid to the new one. Leave the process on self-shot is fraught with consequences. The main danger is the overheating of the motor, which becomes the cause of serious and expensive repairs.

In some cases, even after the change of antifreeze, it can become a red seaside after a couple of weeks. The problem appears due to non-compliance with the basic rules. Namely, after removing the main reason, the system must be washed, otherwise, antifreeze will quickly become red, and its properties are lost. New liquid in the system, starts to wash the old tax, gradually staining.

Methods for solving the problem

To solve the problem with rusty antifreeze, a car enthusiast need to know the exact reason. If an emulsion or part of an engine oil appears under the lid of the expansion tank, then it is necessary to look for a fault as quickly as possible. It is recommended to pay attention to:

  1. Gasket GBC.
  2. Heat exchanger.
  3. Nozzles and other types of pads.

As a rule, in the first two places it often happens to contact oil and coolant. After the alignment of the liquids, the cooling system begins, there are malfunctions in the motor operation. After removal, the causes make washing systems and replace the coolant.

It is much easier to solve the task if antifreeze has ended the service life. It will be enough to replace the liquid, but pre-rinse everything with special means or distilled water. Washing is carried out until the water is clean, without a redhead.