mmaragos

I think that it is normal for a poorly cared for FD.

When I purchased mine it was not just particles, the coolant was in bad shape and there were signs of rust. I have since flushed the system multiple times to improve corrosion protection, etc.

Do your best to keep the coolant system clean. If it is only a few particles, I wouldn't sweat it, but I would still flush the system and fill with new coolant. If it is more than just a few, you might want to check out some of the components (are the hoses in good condition? radiator in good condition? AST? etc.). Potentially, you could have degrading components that are contaminanting the coolant.

maxcooper

Every third gen I have pulled the overflow tank stick on has been an ugly mess. I think dust and dirt get into the overflow tank somehow.

-Max

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Yep, I have mine flushed regularly and still have that mess on the stick...

JONSKI

[copy & paste]When I checked my overflow tank dipstick, it looked like someone put it up their ***. I mean there was this brown algae on the submerged end of the dipstick. WTF was it? Has anybody else had this experience?[/copy & paste]

maxpesce

The brown sludge / black chunky stuff is formed by combustion gasses & oil that get forced past the waterseals and into the coolant. a little bit of that is normal for a rotary.

My Overflow Tank had a some scum in it when I got it and collected about 2" of gunk in the last couple weeks before my seals blew. Since my rebuild (15k mi it has collected some more crap but nothing to be alarmed about its fairly normal. If you are getting a lot of crap after changing the coolant (and cleaning out the bottle!), check the filler neck with the engine cold & at idle (low not AWS) for bubbles in the coolant - if the coolant is fizzing like Mountain Dew, your water seals are on their way out and you are on a short trip to a Rebuild.

JONSKI

How do I look at my overflow tank? Do I need to take out my passenger side headlight? Any special tools involved?

maxpesce

just check it with the dipstick - you check for bubble in the Filler Neck, the cap on the engine over the thermostst housing.

I think you can see the overflow tank from undeneath when the undertray is off.

Enthu

iTrader: (1)

When I removed the filler neck cap, there was a ring of crap around the top of it. just black sludge crap. I've had my engine rebuilt, and maintenance it regularly, is this a big problem?