Brown, boiling coolant
 

So the SVX had very brown coolant boiling over in the reservoir today. The car never overheated, but I'm probably in for a head gasket.

2 questions.

1: Could it be anything else or is it 100% a head gasket?

2: Anybody around Southwest PA that does good work with these? I don't have the time or the tools to tackle this job.

Re: Brown, boiling coolant
 

I would say 95% chance its head gasket, Nate is in PA and used to travel everywhere, I do not know if he still does though.

1986nate is his user id.

Re: Brown, boiling coolant
 

So the coolant in the reservoir was brown and overflowing, but the stuff in the rad is nice and green. Just did a block test and no exhaust gases were found.

I'm going to flush it out and replace the thermostat this week.

Can anyone think of a cause for boilover that doesn't involve head gaskets or overheating?

Re: Brown, boiling coolant
 

Just an update for future reference for anyone checking this.

First off, Hello future people!

Secondly, problem has been fixed with a radiator cap, really lazy rad flush, and thermostat change.

Re: Brown, boiling coolant
 

Excellent news, thanks for the update.

Re: Brown, boiling coolant
 

This seems almost exactly what is happening to me so there is hope.

Re: Brown, boiling coolant
 

Not exactly the same as it did not boil with oil, but did have a frozen mixture of a brown mud like substance before my radiator cracked. I also have a new thermostat and radiator so if it isn't a flushing issue (which it very well could be if you see my other thread) it is the head. Gives me a bit of hope seeing this thread though as it is similar to what happened to me.

Re: Brown, boiling coolant
 

For 3 weeks this past very cold winter , every time I stopped I could smell antifreeze. Checked heater core, checked overflow tank looked for bad hoses. Turned out to be radiator cap. Have an 8 lb cap now no problems.
I wanted o suggest that earlier but I am usually wrong and have been told so.