rusty looking water in radiator tank

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well.

I have a 97 Ducato 14 that was converted into a Timberland Freedom Motorhome in 99. I've owned the van since November last year.

I recently noticed that the water in the plastic radiator reservoir looks dirty with a rusty colour to it. Is this anything that I should be concerned about? I'm thinking giving the van a full service even though it was supposedly done before I bought it. Would the radiator water be flushed out and filled with a coolant during the service?

Thanks for your help.

Lee.

Hi Lee,

the easiest way to tell if it's got coolant, as opposed to just water is to feel it, it feels sticky and tastes slightly sweet, however, coolant IS poisonous so DO NOT swallow it.
It is usual to have a rusty coating on the inside of the header tank, the coolant ratio is from 30%-50% coolant to water, depending on how cold it gets in your country, and it's not only there to keep it from freezing, but also to prevent corrosion. When i took ownership of my Ducato I changed the coolant, as it was rusty looking, 4000 miles later it's still clear.

Doorman

The rusty colour gunk you found in the radiator reservoir is possibly the result of not changing the coolant in the cooling system often enough every two years a thorough flushing of the radiator and engine and refilling with fresh coolant should fix your problem.