radiator gunk... something is wrong

[joezee]

hey all: need some help here.bought a 2000 solara with about 50,000 miles on it.went out yesterday to look at the engine and check things out for curiousity sake.i noticed the radiator reserve bottle was dark in color.more like gray.i thought someone started to put another fluid in it and caught himself and stopped.so i took the bottle off to clean it and refill with water.well i took it out today for a drive and came back home and the resevoir was somewhat filled again with the dark liquid...what do you all think.!!!! i was thinking it needed a flush and fill or worst case scenario would be something wrong with the engine.now i'm spooked.checked the oil yesterday real quick and it looked good.what do i need to do.should i take it to toyota to get checked out? now the wife is upset.....arrrrrr.....thanks for the imput..........joezee

[Flipside909]

hey all: need some help here.bought a 2000 solara with about 50,000 miles on it.went out yesterday to look at the engine and check things out for curiousity sake.i noticed the radiator reserve bottle was dark in color.more like gray.i thought someone started to put another fluid in it and caught himself and stopped.so i took the bottle off to clean it and refill with water.well i took it out today for a drive and came back home and the resevoir was somewhat filled again with the dark liquid...what do you all think.!!!! i was thinking it needed a flush and fill or worst case scenario would be something wrong with the engine.now i'm spooked.checked the oil yesterday real quick and it looked good.what do i need to do.should i take it to toyota to get checked out? now the wife is upset.....arrrrrr.....thanks for the imput..........joezee

Where did you buy the car from. It would be smart to get the radiator flushed and refilled asap.

[DavPak]

sounds like someone who doesn't know toyotas put green antifreeze in it! good ole toyota red stuff strikes again!

[joezee]

hello:: somebody was right.thanks. someone did mix the green antifreeze with the red.took it to toyota for a flush.everything looks good now.was freaking out their for a bit.once more i,m a happy camper.anyway,thanks for getting back to me on this. now it's time for a wash job.....joezee

[Flipside909]

Nothing beats Toyota red fluid. I hate the green stuff...especially when it's mixed into the Toyota red.