Car people: What does muddy colored coolant mean?

[PingSpike]

The woman's car had its check engine light come on yesterday while we were driving home from her parents. I checked the fluids on it morning, which is about all I know how to do. Everything seemed fine except the coolant was low...but when I looked at the coolant it seems weird colored, so I opened the cap and it looked more brownish black then blue.

I don't know anything about cars, but I've heard that might mean there is an oil leak. A quick google hinted at the idea it might just be the engine is kind of dirty. Its a 94 geo prizm, and I couldn't find anything particular on that.

It runs fine, but the engine light is on. It does of course need more coolant, but I figured it might be a good idea to have them flush it when she brings it in to be looked at.

 

[Goosemaster]

I think it should be clear/green, no?

 

[zoiks]

You might have a rust problem.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Rust or oil.
and why is your coolant blue?

 

[cavemanmoron]

what kind/year car?

get the cooling system flushed....... min.

 

[shilala]

If a seal goes bad, usually the coolant ends up in the oil rather than the oil in the coolant.
Get some radiator flush, run it through, fill it back up with water, empty that, and refill it with new coolant and distilled water.
After a few days see what's up.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
I think it should be clear/green, no?

AFAIK, there's orange, green and blue varieties of coolant/antifreeze. This stuff appears blue (maybe green? I dunno, the lighting angle was bad this morning) but muddy colored. I definately don't think it *should* be that color...but I don't know if its a normal-not-a-big-deal thing or what.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Check the Oil filler cap for a white sludge/slime, if there is then check the dipstick. If the oil looks like a chocolate milkshake you have coolant getting into your oil and vice versa.
Coolant in your oil usualy indicates a bad head gasket or cracked head.
If both of those check out fine you should probably just flush the cooling system and put fresh antifreeze in there.

 

[PingSpike]

The oil appears to be normal consistency and color for its age (bout 2k miles) from what I can tell. I'll check the cap after dinner, but I don't think there's anything weird going on there...the oil was last changed by my mechanic when the tires were getting put on and I think he *probably* would have caught that.

Would low coolant cause the engine light to come on?

 

[huesmann]

If your oil isn't frothy, you prolly don't have a head gasket problem. If the coolant is rust-colored, you have a rusting problem in your cooling system.

 

[edfcmc]

it could mean it is just "old" and needs to be flushed and replaced. Can you post a pic?