Oil in coolant

darv · #1 03-13-2011, 06:31 PM

Noticed some kind of oil in the coolant reservoir, the truck has been overheating from time to time. There in no indication of coolant in the oil though. Dipstick oil looks normal. I guess I should do a compression test, any idea on how much compression there should be?

Psychopete · #2 03-14-2011, 11:44 AM

Think the min on compression is around 110 PSI. I have seen engines run on less though.

Do you have an automatic? Check the fluid level if you do, radiator can break internally mixing the transmission fluid with coolant.

OreEle · #3 03-14-2011, 03:44 PM

Does your resevoir smell like exhaust?

If it does, I had a subaru that had a head gasket blow and it was leaking water into the exhaust (and exhaust back into the radiator). What would happen is that the car would run find for a while (about 10-15 miles) and regulate its tempurature just fine, but after time, a bubble of exhaust would build up and cause the cooling system to stop working and the engine temp would sky rocket in about 30 seconds.

Just got it fixed (new head gaskets, thankfully the heads didn't warp) and it is running fine now.

darv · #4 03-18-2011, 09:28 AM

all are about 120 to 140 lbs. Runs fine, not sure what to do from here?

klinger86 · #5 03-18-2011, 09:47 AM

check the trans fluid if the radiator has broken internally it coul/would leak some tranny fluid into the antifreeze and into the reservoir... unless you have a seperate tranny fluid cooler...

darv · #6 03-18-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psychopete

Think the min on compression is around 110 PSI. I have seen engines run on less though.

Do you have an automatic? Check the fluid level if you do, radiator can break internally mixing the transmission fluid with coolant.

Compression looks ok, I hoping it something like the radiator.

Psychopete · #7 03-18-2011, 01:57 PM

Need to get it addressed ASAP if that is the case. Coolant in engine oil or transmission will cause pre-mature damage in short order.

camador · #8 03-20-2011, 02:35 PM

Same issue here, oil into radiator and reservoir, engine and transmission oil levels are ok and no coolant there, also temperatur climbed a little and "little beast" feels weak, yesterday I had an issue, temperature went at the middle of the gauge and upper radiator hose blew, then temperature lowered, after I changed the hose temperature have been just fine, but I noticed that the engine started to sound like a sewing machine (loud) oil pressure lowered for a while then its normal again, but still sounds, maybe the lifters, don't know, any suggestions ?

Will drain the radiator and take it for a deep clean up to remove all the oil in there.

darv · #9 03-21-2011, 08:37 AM

Going to do a pressure test on the radiator to see if I have a head gasket problem. I'm hoping that I have a bad radiator (trans oil leaking) for a easier fix.

camador · #10 03-21-2011, 06:22 PM

Just found that the radiator has a huge amount of oil & dirt at the bottom, so it needs a clean up, maybe that's the answer to the issue, sewing mahcine sound is gone, oil pressure is ok, it runs better now, tried to drain the radiator by myself but when opened the drain valve nothing came out, so removed the lower hose to drain the coolant and a lot of oily dirt came out, maybe a block sealant I threw in it messed the radiator, or maybe it was an old issue and It just appeared like oil in the rad but head gaskets are ok.

Did a compression test, all are between 140 & 160 psi so the engine is ok (I assume) will keep checking it and will let you know what the problem was and how I solved it.

darv · #11 03-26-2011, 07:45 AM

I haven't had good weather here yet to test the radiator but I did order a oil sample kit. this will tell if there any coolant in the oil, even if its not visible on the stick.