Don't worry, I have never heard of a radiator or engine block corroding through from the inside, however, before plastic VW's did have a few issues with aluminium housings corroding through.
Get the system flushed through and replenished with a 50:50 coolant mix (8 litres of G12+ or equivelent spec A/freeze). Chances are no permanent damage has occurred.
The main issues arising from this would be silt deposits blocking up the radiator...thankfully, yours is not showing signs of overheating so it does' t sound like this has happened.
Look to have the vehicle thoroughly checked over and serviced given the possible previous neglect.
Martin
Black Coolant??!
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California Dreamin
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Re: Black Coolant??!
Last edited by California Dreamin on 02 Jan 2013, 11:40, edited 1 time in total.
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Ian Hulley
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Re: Black Coolant??!
The only concern I would really add to Martin's comments above are that it reflects mechanical neglect on the part of the previous owner. A thorough service and inspection should be the priority whenever you buy a new vehicle but especially in view of what you've found already 
Ian
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Oldiebut goodie
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Re: Black Coolant??!
I can show you a diesel head where the waterway has eaten as far as the ring around the bore due to lack of coolant! I'll put a pic up shortly.
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AdrianC
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Re: Black Coolant??!
Ian Hulley wrote:The only concern I would really add to Martin's comments above are that it reflects mechanical neglect on the part of the previous owner.
Definitely. Time to drain the coolant, rinse through, fill/bleed/etc with plain water, then drain. If it still comes through manky, repeat until it doesn't. THEN put proper coolant in, and see what happens from there on in.
A thorough service and inspection should be the priority whenever you buy a new vehicle but especially in view of what you've found already
Yup, it's a bit of a golden rule for life.
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dave friday
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Re: Black Coolant??!
well...i had very black,oily coolant due to the head gasket leaking oil into the coolant!!!the oil seal in the head gasket had shrivelled up!.
I'm not saying that its whats wrong with your engine but it does happen.
I'm not saying that its whats wrong with your engine but it does happen.
I dont think, so I'm not[do I exist?]
1992 1600td [ jx ] syncro panel van[leisuredrive camper ]
1992 1600td [ jx ] syncro panel van[leisuredrive camper ]
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Matt and Danni
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Re: Black Coolant??!
We will have to hope and just see what happens!
I had it thoroughly checked over and serviced by a reputable mechanic.
The previous owner was my previous neighbour before I moved away, so I can speak to him about it, see if he ever knew anything of it.
In the mean time on with the flushing! Can you get a flushing kit or some sort of chemical additive? Or will plain water be ok?
Thanks for all the responses by the way, everyone is very helpful
Matt
I had it thoroughly checked over and serviced by a reputable mechanic.
The previous owner was my previous neighbour before I moved away, so I can speak to him about it, see if he ever knew anything of it.
In the mean time on with the flushing! Can you get a flushing kit or some sort of chemical additive? Or will plain water be ok?
Thanks for all the responses by the way, everyone is very helpful
Matt
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AdrianC
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Re: Black Coolant??!
Matt and Danni wrote:In the mean time on with the flushing! Can you get a flushing kit or some sort of chemical additive? Or will plain water be ok?
You can get chemical flushes, but I'm not sure I'd bother - at least to start with. Plain water, two or three times - getting it up to fan-cutting-in temperature each time - then if THAT comes out filthy again, or if the rad isn't getting warm all the way up and down evenly, think about a chemical flush.
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ferraldog
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Re: Black Coolant??!
I don't know where you got to with this, but my '83 1.6CS also has the black oil in the water. I know she was stood in a garage for 7 years before I rescued her. I'm handy with a spanner, but new to the VW camper gang (already feeling part of a cool club!). The bodywork is pretty solid, a little welding in the front arches, but good none-the-less.
Mine starts and runs fine, the engine sounds healthy enough, and I oil n filter changed her on day 1. But there is a rattling noise coming from the pulleys area and I can't for the life of me locate it.... Also I have discovered the black oil in the water, I've heard the oil cooler is more commonly the culprit here, so I'll be checking that this weekend. I've a million questions I want to blurt out, but they probably belong in different sections, regarding upgrading the engine, what I could do a straight install with. Can I use my old pug 306hdi engine and gearbox that's sitting in the yard at work. Who should I speak to about rotating the final drive in the pug box if it's plausible so it spins the other way (5 forward, 1 reverse!). Elite motors in Essex - been looking at a new looking 1.6cs remanufactured engine, which looks beautiful, but they seem really hit and miss, with ever review I've seen. Here's the current motor. Do I understand correctly that the oil cooler is under the filter?
Mine starts and runs fine, the engine sounds healthy enough, and I oil n filter changed her on day 1. But there is a rattling noise coming from the pulleys area and I can't for the life of me locate it.... Also I have discovered the black oil in the water, I've heard the oil cooler is more commonly the culprit here, so I'll be checking that this weekend. I've a million questions I want to blurt out, but they probably belong in different sections, regarding upgrading the engine, what I could do a straight install with. Can I use my old pug 306hdi engine and gearbox that's sitting in the yard at work. Who should I speak to about rotating the final drive in the pug box if it's plausible so it spins the other way (5 forward, 1 reverse!). Elite motors in Essex - been looking at a new looking 1.6cs remanufactured engine, which looks beautiful, but they seem really hit and miss, with ever review I've seen. Here's the current motor. Do I understand correctly that the oil cooler is under the filter?