I have an 07 Type-S MT with approx 121,500 miles. I bought it certified from Acura in March of 2012 with 73,000 miles. Since I have owed the car the coolant has had a slow leak. I tried to get Acura to fix it while certified and they said the "pressure were fine, there is no leak" which I thought was bogus because I was adding coolant but whatever. When I bought the car it had blue coolant so I'm assuming it was Honda Type 2, and that's what I've always used to fill it up. The leak is slow, I added about 1 gallon of coolant over the course of a year. I have never had any over-heating problems, engine problems, everything runs perfect (as far as I can tell).
The other day I went to add coolant because it was just below the "MIN" mark, and I noticed that there was a layer of dirt inside where the coolant had been. I kinda freaked out because I don't know how my coolant could be that dirty. I had the 105k service done at 106,000 miles by a trusted shop, and I thought they would have replaced the coolant (but maybe they didn't). Anyway, I decided to drain the radiator and remove the reservoir to clean it. Well there was like 1/4" - 1/2" of sediment/dirt in the bottom of the reservoir. Also, the coolant I drained from the radiator was cloudy and dirty. I poured 3 gallons of distilled water through the radiator to clean it out, and it came out (1) really cloudy, (2) semi cloudy, then (3) mostly clear. I didn't have time to drain the engine block, so I know there must be dirt in there too... This really worries me. I am completely stock, so no CAI. I use the Acura air filter. Could a small leak in the system cause that much dirt to get in over time? I'm sure coolant shouldn't really get this dirty, but could it if it has never been changed? I live in the suburbs of Memphis, TN, and it is not a dusty environment at all, and I haven't driven through a dry baseball field or anything like that, so.... I'm at a loss.
See the pictures of the reservoir and radiator below. You guys have tons of experience and knowledge, and I have learned a ton about this awesome car and DIY maintenance from reading on this site, so I figured this is the place to come for help. Thanks!
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Layers inside of reservoir
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Dirt around radiator neck
The other day I went to add coolant because it was just below the "MIN" mark, and I noticed that there was a layer of dirt inside where the coolant had been. I kinda freaked out because I don't know how my coolant could be that dirty. I had the 105k service done at 106,000 miles by a trusted shop, and I thought they would have replaced the coolant (but maybe they didn't). Anyway, I decided to drain the radiator and remove the reservoir to clean it. Well there was like 1/4" - 1/2" of sediment/dirt in the bottom of the reservoir. Also, the coolant I drained from the radiator was cloudy and dirty. I poured 3 gallons of distilled water through the radiator to clean it out, and it came out (1) really cloudy, (2) semi cloudy, then (3) mostly clear. I didn't have time to drain the engine block, so I know there must be dirt in there too... This really worries me. I am completely stock, so no CAI. I use the Acura air filter. Could a small leak in the system cause that much dirt to get in over time? I'm sure coolant shouldn't really get this dirty, but could it if it has never been changed? I live in the suburbs of Memphis, TN, and it is not a dusty environment at all, and I haven't driven through a dry baseball field or anything like that, so.... I'm at a loss.
See the pictures of the reservoir and radiator below. You guys have tons of experience and knowledge, and I have learned a ton about this awesome car and DIY maintenance from reading on this site, so I figured this is the place to come for help. Thanks!
Layers inside of reservoir
Dirt around radiator neck