mk1 orange/terracotta colour coolant

[plunky]

hi, the coolant in my 1.4 mk1 has gone a orange/terracotta colour, almost like rust. could this just be because it hasnt been changed in ages or could it be the head gasket? i cant see any other signs of the head gasket going.
if it does just need changing, how do i flush the system out?
cheers
Liam

 

[Dan@SJM]

It'll be as it hasnt been changed for ages, but it'll carry on doing that now as the block will have rusted...

 

[JAMIN]

myns the same ave cleand it all out twice an it just comes back again

 

[Josh@Renparts]

as above just change it, make sure you use a coolant with anti corrosion properties to stop it setting in too much and change it regularly... Even the cheap stuff in the shiny blue bottle (think its carplan) says it has an anti corrosion additive.