Brown-ish coolant in main reservoir, normal?

[Blackstallion]

In the first picture you can see the distinct difference in color compared to the secondary reservoir in the background.

In the second picture (after I topped off a fairly low reservoir with Ford yellow coolant as specified), you can see the yellow mixing with the brown coolant.

I just picked up this '21 PB from Carmax 7d ago with ~46k on the odometer.

Should I be concerned and going back to Carmax?

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[RcFlyer330]

100% normal.

You may have a leak with the coolant that low. Places to check are the exhaust heat exchanger and thermostat housing. The heat exchanger is under the truck passenger side exhaust about mid truck.

 

[Blackstallion]

100% normal.

Also check the exhaust heat exchanger for leaks. Its under the truck passenger side exhaust about mid truck. Another spot to look is the thermostat housing.

I assume you mean the discoloration is normal, but to check the heat exchanger and thermostat for leaks since the reservoir was so low?

 

[RcFlyer330]

Reread my post I was editing it as you where replying to it.

Yes discoleration is normal but you may have a leak somewhere.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Worth asking. I have the same color and had the coolant tested. The chemistry was just fine, despite the color.

 

[tbeneteau]

Normal. Mine was the same and a little low at about 28k miles. I topped it off and just check it periodically. Hasn't needed any more in 20k miles.

 

[JohnTrigger]

Color is “normal” and if the previous owner never checked it, the level could have gotten that low and also be normal, with no real leak. So don’t panic, yet. Factory fill is often just to the min line, and that was 4+ years ago. Air bubbles happen, especially when new. Dealers don’t seem to do a very good job topping off fluids at purchase, imho. Watch the level going forward, checking it a couple times per month. Hopefully you’ll be all set as far as the fill line.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Color is “normal” and if the previous owner never checked it, the level could have gotten that low and also be normal, with no real leak. So don’t panic, yet. Factory fill is often just to the min line, and that was 4+ years ago. Air bubbles happen, especially when new. Dealers don’t seem to do a very good job topping off fluids at purchase, imho. Watch the level going forward, checking it a couple times per month. Hopefully you’ll be all set as far as the fill line.

The color is mainly due to the exhaust heat exchanger. It really takes quite a bit of a toll on the coolant. It will check fine however it is just discolored.

Keep an eye on your level, a common source of leaks is the heat exchanger

 

[UGADawg96]

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/search/7121012/?q=Coolant&c[title_only]=1&o=date

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

NO, you are fine. My '21 PB was the same with different colors in the two different tanks. Used to drive me crazy, UNTIL I spoke with the service manager at the dealer - there are TWO different cooling systems on the PB truck - one for the engine and one for the battery. They each us DIFFERENT coolants with DIFFERENT colors, so my guess ... you are good!!

 

[Gros Ventre]

The Engine circuit operates at a higher temperature than the electric circuit cooling.

 

[RcFlyer330]

NO, you are fine. My '21 PB was the same with different colors in the two different tanks. Used to drive me crazy, UNTIL I spoke with the service manager at the dealer - there are TWO different cooling systems on the PB truck - one for the engine and one for the battery. They each us DIFFERENT coolants with DIFFERENT colors, so my guess ... you are good!!

Your dealer is wrong if they said the battery cooling loop and engine coolant loop use different coolant with different colors. Look at your owners manual.

Its the same coolant in each reservoir but the engine coolant sees ~200°F just about everytime you run the truck. While the battery cooling loop sees maybe 120°F. The discoloration is caused by the heat of the engine most likely just dye breaking down.

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

I might have misunderstood ... bottom line, not to worry about the different colors.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

NO, you are fine. My '21 PB was the same with different colors in the two different tanks. Used to drive me crazy, UNTIL I spoke with the service manager at the dealer - there are TWO different cooling systems on the PB truck - one for the engine and one for the battery. They each us DIFFERENT coolants with DIFFERENT colors, so my guess ... you are good!!

This is complete bullshit information.

It’s the same coolant, it’s the new yellow stuff from Motorcraft, it comes out of the jug the same exact color. Take a look at the new truck you’ll see that your dealer, it’s actually probably the service writer that you’re talking about, most of the time those idiots come from Walmart or Best Buy. They’re about as far from a vehicle technician as humanly possible.

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