Head gasket? (1 Viewer)

[Noahrob]

Hi,

My 97 LX450 has 202,000 miles on it, but had the original head gasket replaced at around 85k. I sprung a leak in my radiator and figured since I was replacing it, I should replace the water pump too. When the pump came off, the fluid did not look awesome. The fluid looked fine coming out of the radiator and looked clean in the pan.

Head gasket? Or maybe just some leaky valve seals?

I don't want to do the work if I don't have and I don't want to skip it if I need it. Any and all guidance appreciates...

 

[450LX]

Maybe the oil cooler is leaking a bit?

 

[Noahrob]

Do you mean the internal tranny cooler?

 

[rolliges]

Passenger side of engine, aft of the thermostat.

 

[Noahrob]

I know I'm being stupid, but how does the oil get to the coolant,just leak in the seal?

 

[baldilocks]

I’d base my next move on how my engine had been performing in the recent past. Put it back together, flush it, and run it while keeping tabs on the recovery tank.

A compression and leak down test wouldn’t cost you anything and oil analysis both might help your confidence.

 

[flintknapper]

Maybe the oil cooler is leaking a bit?

^^^^

This

 

[Noahrob]

Cool, thanks for the feedback folks. The trucks been running the same for the last few years, nothing super noticeable has changed. The radiator has been leaking for a while as there were signs of mold (or whatever it is). I guess I'm not thinking about the oil cooler correctly as I'm thinking of it as a stand alone unit that has no interaction with the coolant system, but I'll go take a peek today.

 

[rolliges]

Oil Cooler Question

My oil cooler is leaking coolant onto the ground, but I feel it may also be leaking into the crankcase as there is milk in my oil fill cap. So is the oil cooler actually a part that can fail, or could it merely be the cover and/or gaskets? Rather not buy one as they aren't cheap. And is it...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[flintknapper]

Cool, thanks for the feedback folks. The trucks been running the same for the last few years, nothing super noticeable has changed. The radiator has been leaking for a while as there were signs of mold (or whatever it is). I guess I'm not thinking about the oil cooler correctly as I'm thinking of it as a stand alone unit that has no interaction with the coolant system, but I'll go take a peek today.

The Engine Oil Cooler circulates (from the block) both engine oil and coolant (separated by gaskets). Gasket failure is probably the most common issue for that part (there are three gaskets) , BUT...it is not unheard of... for poorly maintained engines (coolant changes) to result in holes in the cover or coil from corrosion.

Just use the search function (oil cooler) in the 80 series forum and you'll find plenty on it.

 

[Tachycardic]

Agree with the others...if it were the HG, you would know within a few mins/miles of driving.

 

[Noahrob]

Thank you for the reply's. I've been thinking about this all night ( great distraction from worldly events) and I think what I'm going to do is put everything back together and then check it over time. Another hypothesis in addition to the oil cooler could be the tranny cooler inside of the radiator was leaking and that's how coolant and oil got mixed together. This also seems reasonable because since the radiator is bad on the outside it is reasons it is bad on the inside.

the only thing that really makes me think it might be the oil cooler is that there seem to be more milky white fluid near the water pump than there was in the radiator.

Thanks again...truly cool feedback

 

[flintknapper]

Thank you for the reply's. I've been thinking about this all night ( great distraction from worldly events) and I think what I'm going to do is put everything back together and then check it over time. Another hypothesis in addition to the oil cooler could be the tranny cooler inside of the radiator was leaking and that's how coolant and oil got mixed together. This also seems reasonable because since the radiator is bad on the outside it is reasons it is bad on the inside.

the only thing that really makes me think it might be the oil cooler is that there seem to be more milky white fluid near the water pump than there was in the radiator.

Thanks again...truly cool feedback

Let us know what you find.

 

[yknot123]

Let us know what you find.

Would lean towards the oil cooler idea. When I did the Head Gasket on our 97 a year ago almost didn't look at oil cooler on more thing to take apart. Luckily one of great ones "Onur" indicated it would be silly at that point to not open and clean. Sure enough it was very "muddy" and you could tell that the oil did not flow well. The oil and coolant are separated by gaskets, that is what helps cool/heat the oil temperature. Your engine will happy for the cleaning and the gaskets will be new OEM

 

[flintknapper]

 

[yknot123]

View attachment 2245127
View attachment 2245129
View attachment 2245130

Nice pictures Flintknapper. Shows that a picture is worth a thousand words. That shiny clean is great.
Rod Stewart quote "Every picture tells a story don't It" Carry on ih8mud community

 

[rolliges]

While you're in there replace the oil pressure relief valve, spring and brass washer (under top, upper right hex nut in picture).

Oil pump has one too.

 

[Broski]

This is what I like about Mud, good solid Tech and info. Noah text me the second picture yesterday and although i didn't use the evil word (Head gasket) I implied It. I didn't get as much info as he posted up here ( just the second picture and what do you think ) but for his sake I hope it 's the oil cooler gasket.

 

[flintknapper]

While you're in there replace the oil pressure relief valve, spring and brass washer (under top, upper right hex nut in picture).

Yes, the parts (small parts) are inexpensive. Might as well have them on hand IF you don't know the condition of the Oil Cooler.

I purchased all the small parts (gaskets, washers, plugs, spring, valve, bolts, etc).

The cover itself is not too expensive (if for some reason a person had to replace that) BUT the 'cooler/coil' (internal is a pricey item).

You don't want to have buy this...............

 

[Noahrob]

Cool, thanks. I put it all back together and went for a drive, I don't think it is driving poorly at all. I'll order the gaskets for the oil cooler and replace them. This is really funny as all I wanted to do was trim my fenders to fit 37's and I ended up flushing the tranny, replacing the radiator and then whole I was in there, I figured I should change the thermostat and water pump too...now I'll deal with the oil cooler gaskets. Oh yeah, my battery was on its last leg and as soon as I pulled it, it died. I know that seems like superstition, but my experience is that sometimes that's how it goes. No worries though as well be all good to go once we're done, broke broke broke, but good to go.


Oh yeah, still got cut the fenders...