Sr20det Rust?

[Turb]

Okay so took my car apart to get my head off so I could change my head gasket, I notice that my radiator has rust in it, then water neck, then after I got the head off I notice my water passages all look a little rusty, and on my head gasket the water passages are like blocked off due to some sort of build up.

Is this a huge problem? car ran fine and first coolant change after I got the car the coolant was orangish (idk if coolant was originally orange or just rusty)
Just wanted input on this, I don't want to pull the block as its not really an option.
Thanks

[brndck]

you need to make sure to use de-mineralized water in your radiator and cooling system. there are cleaning products at your local auto parts store, get some, and flush the system out as best as possible, and do not put tap water in your car in the future.

[Turb]

I Haven't put any sort of water in the coolant system It was like this since I bought it.
Is the radiator trash or if i run that stuff through should it clean up the radiator too?

[SoundEfx]

I had the same issue and I flushed the system quite a few times with fresh coolant until the drained coolant looked clean. Others have used distilled water to do the flush as well.

Just make sure to have the car warm up with the heater on so that you get the coolant/cleaning additive flowing through the heater core.

Do this over time and that should indicate to you whether or not you have a permanent internal rust, in which case I say, good luck.

[5280VertDET]

A lot of old school guys have flushed with CLR. Maybe worth a look.

[mewantkouki]

Probably left over from the KA that was slowly dying in your car before it was SR.

[zenkicpe]

Sounds like Scale not Rust. Good cooling system flush should take care of it. Use lots of water to flush out whatever product you use, then drain the water and refill with 50/50. If its still rusty and not leaking after all that then Im guessing time for a new radiator.

[Turb]

Thanks for all the input guys, greatly appreciated!