Jim Warman

Year, mileage, use, service history.. these are some of the things that
would help form an opinion. Since your coolant was rust coloured, I would
hpld much hope.

With time and use, antifreeze coolant will loose it ability to protect
against corrosion... the Ph balance of the mixture will change and it can
become acidic. The coolant effectiely becomes "electrolyte", causing the
dis=similar metals to become the plates in an ad hoc battery. This also
means that material will start transferring between the anodes and cathodes
in the system.

Radiator core tubes will lose material and can become very thin and
brittle... solder joints can become weakened by thermocycling.. Indeed, the
nipple that signalled your current round of grief is most likely the victim
of corrosion and/or material erosion through electrolysis.

Patch-ups can be a gamble... for my part, I would study my situation and be
sure that I avoid having my smiling face on the 6 o'clock news as being the
driver at the very front of a major traffic jam....


"redbyrd" <william.rydberg@jacobs.com> wrote in message
news:1137704178.427316.118160@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> my Grand Marq overheated last night. The shop says the entire system
> needs to be replaced? The main cause of O/H was nipple at back of block
> worn and caused hose to fall out. A rust colored liquid was sprayed
> all over the engine (from radiator). Can the coolant turn to a rust
> color quickly or is it mainly do to time. Would a couple of flushes
> clean the radiator out enough to call it good?
>
> redbyrd
>