Coolant Turned Black

[grippy6176]

I have 25k miles on the truck and poped the hood to check the oil, coolant and washer fluid. The coolant was black, no loss, just black. I am going to take it to the dealer this week. Anyone seen or heard of this, its something i have never seen before on any engine. Runs fine, so I hope its just degrading.

[a2elvis]

If the coolant is black it could be engine oil in the cooling system...

They still use the stacked plate heat exchanger on the 6.7L. So the possibility of engine oil contaminating the cooling system still exists.

["Stroker 8"]

keep us posted.

[grippy6176]

Ok, I got the truck back today. Dealer changed the coolant in both systems but hot side was the one that had turned black. They said that they did a compressin check on all the cylinders, and that came up normal. Preasure tested the cooling system and that also was ok. The coolant is going to places unknown to be tested, the test strips didn't show anything unusual. All the radiator hoses were replaced, But they did not say anything was wrong with them. So I guess for now its fine? They said just to keep an eye on it and if happens again bring it back.

[pete37922]

If everything wuz normal u wouldnt have had black coolant

Sent from my ADR6400L using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[grippy6176]

Ok, now the problem has surfaced. Took a trip to Traverse City, MI from NW Indiana hauling my 38 ft boat, no real problems on the way up. The coolant has been going black again since I last posted from the dealer. While stopped for fuel I opened the hood to look at the coolant tank and it was bubbling, so I figured head gaskets or heads. Drove it all the way back, so I'm off to the dealer soon as they open. Truck now has 28k on it.

[Riglet]

Keep us posted

[offroadsd]

I took mine in for the same problem last week. I noticed the coolant color had changed when I was washing the truck. It was about two weeks ago when I checked last and the coolant was still orange. Two mechanics checked it with a flashlight and they said the coolant is still orange and they did a test strip test and found that the coolant is okay.
I have 33K miles on mine and the coolant was replaced at 15K when my water pump started leaking.
Please keep us updated on what the dealer finds.

[Boat Hauler]

jeez... i hope they get their acts together with these things. Sounds like oil to me.

[KAKnight]

Keep us posted


- Bubba