Brown engine coolant

[Randy Winkman]

I looked at a 2002 Nissan Primera 1.8 petrol today (boring, I know). Nice car, low mileage, drove nicely. But the engine coolant was noticably brown in colour. The oil and inside of the oil cap were clean. Could this be a minor issue or something I should completely keep clear of?

Cheers.

[Randy Winkman]

Can you all give the same answer please, either:

a) Run away, or
b) It's no problem at all

Seriously, thanks for the help so far.

[Randy Winkman]

hardcorehobbit said:

Be safe and run away.

You'll find another. I would be suspicious of completely clean coolant though. Perhaps they're covering something up.

You're probably right - it's a shame though when you find a car that's right except for one thing.

[Randy Winkman]

HellDiver said:

"Brown" isn't descriptive enough, really. Any chance you can post a pic of it?

Could be rust, could be oil, could just be pink coolant that's overdue a change.

Not possible to post a pic. Brown a bit like tea without milk or weak black coffee. Not sludgy, or with any bits or weird colours like oil on water.