I need some help guys. I just had my coolant changed in my 2003 G35 sedan, and tech showed me the coolant that came out of my reservoir. The coolant was filled with little silvery particles that looked like glitter. The tech said that only the coolant in the reservoir had these particles; the coolant drained from everywhere else looked fine. He washed out the reservoir and refilled the cooling system. I drove the vehicle home (about 10 miles) and checked the reservoir, and it looks like there are particles in the reservoir again (see the photo). What do you think is going on here?

My vehicle has 48,000 miles on it and has had the coolant changed once previously at 29,000 miles.

 

Could be associated with rust. If you or someone else has ever filled or topped off your coolant with tap water....it will rust the radiator. I've seen that several times before. That'd be my initial guess.

 

To my knowledge, tap water has never been added.

There was a little rust/sludge (about the size of a quarter in corner of the reservoir) in the bottom of the reservoir before the tech cleaned it out.

 

I wouldn't be worried, I'm not even sure the radiator can rust considering you have to distil coolant with 50% distilled water

I had some specs in my reservoir container when I flushed my system too. Some type of minerals prob just condensed over time

 

Nothing really to worry about.

Start shitting bricks when there are black particles and your coolant is pressurized.

 

I'm thinking about having my coolant analyzed to see what that stuff is. Anyone ever used Polaris Labs?
http://www.polarislabs.com/

 

lol, you are way too worried

 

I'm more curious than worried.

 

take some of it out, take it to a lab and get it analysed... Problem solved

 

Some radiator stop leak will look like that.

 

If this......will help you sleep at night, do it! Normally we're not concerned about the appearance of our radiator fluid as long as it's clean and sludge doesn't show up.
Gary

 

The radiator is aluminum not steel , therefore it will not rust. You not Suposed to add tap water because of minerals that are in tap water , the minerals will collect and clog **** up. Only place where we have steel/iron in out cars are the water pipe in the passanger side, water pipe on the driver side and the sleavs in the block.

 

Hello,
I am the Tech Manager at Prestone coolants. You are likely looking at internal corrosion of the cooling system. It sounds like plating of some internal part is wearing off. Your tech should have thoroughly flushed the system before adding new coolant. While it is unlikely this will cause any issues, You could get it analyized at Polaris (we use them, very good lab) to put your mind at ease.