Whats all this crap in my coolant tank?

[theshaggystump]

So, I already know I have a small leak somewhere (small enough to where I've had the car for a little over 20k miles and I just now felt the need to top it off) but when I went to top off the coolant I noticed all this crud in the coolant tank. Any idea what would cause that or how it could have gotten in there?

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[SourKandi]

So, I already know I have a small leak somewhere (small enough to where I've had the car for a little over 20k miles and I just now felt the need to top it off) but when I went to top off the coolant I noticed all this crud in the coolant tank. Any idea what would cause that or how it could have gotten in there?

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I just took my '13 to the dealer last week for its 3rd oil pan gasket leak. I also had them check out why our coolant was 1/2 empty (again... they always tell me it's normal); however, besides the pan leaking they found the oil cooler was leaking & bad- coolant was leaking into the oil cooler- [emoji15] so they also replaced the oil cooler.

I would suggest looking for something like that. I've had a mysterious coolant disappearing trick with my car for years. They just advise to top off. But luckily I at least do my own oil changes so I check for oil leaks EVERY time I change the oil. Takes less than a year for the pan to leak...

 

[theshaggystump]

Ill take a look around that area to see if I see anything unusual. Would oil contamination look like that though? This is kind of flake like where I feel as oil would be more globby and liquidy

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[gnonne]

Looks Like Black Mold

The coolant is about 50% distilled water, and the overflow tank stays warm fairly long after driving, depending on your location. Maybe its just some mold forming in the overflow tank - it does have a vent to the atmosphere. If the black stuff was in the coolant itself, I'd be more concerned.

 

[theshaggystump]

Oh there is, zoom into the picture and you can see some particles floating around in the coolant

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[JesusTheAgnostic]

I don't know but I think mine has it too. I assumed it was from the venting. Like little dirt getting trapped in there.

 

[BigLee]

I was thinking it may have been the beginnings the famous Dexcool sludge, but after looking at the pic, it might just be small particles from the block or head that didnt get fully washed out after those components were cast and/or machined.

 

[RMinNJ]

Maybe drain that tank and clean it out and see if it appears again? Maybe is just crud from the techs
using a dirty funnel when they did the oil cooler ?