Oil In coolant

[Highwind59]

I have been reading on here about issues with oil in coolant and everything points to HG or oil cooler. I have replaced both. Head was pressure tested and resurfaced and I put on a new oil cooler on. I used to have coolant in the oil and oil in the coolant. Now it's just oil in the coolant. It's been like this for almost a year. I just keep emptying the resovoior every so often but I keep getting a thin layer on the top. I don't see any oil sitting at the top of the radiator. Any ideas what it could be? Also is it bad to keep running it like it is?

 

[shocktower]

How often does this happen, also look under your oil cap on the head for oil, did you flush the system and made sure you got oil out of it

 

[Highwind59]

The cap looks pretty clean. Just a little oil on it. No signs of coolant. Every week or 2 I look in the resovoior and there is a little more oil in it. Never a lot. Just a thin layer. I was hoping it would flush itself out. I had replaced all the coolant when the HG was done.

 

[flintknapper]

I have been reading on here about issues with oil in coolant and everything points to HG or oil cooler. I have replaced both. Head was pressure tested and resurfaced and I put on a new oil cooler on.
Was there a reason for replacing the Oil Cooler (Damaged?) instead of just the Gaskets (3 of them)?

I used to have coolant in the oil and oil in the coolant. Now it's just oil in the coolant. It's been like this for almost a year. I just keep emptying the resovoior every so often but I keep getting a thin layer on the top. I don't see any oil sitting at the top of the radiator.
My guess is that you have some amount of oil still in the block someplace and that it is simply self evacuating (albeit slowly). Has there been anything added to the system (I.E. Stop Leak)?

Any ideas what it could be? Also is it bad to keep running it like it is?
I can't imagine that SMALL amounts of oil in your cooling system would present any problems. Coolant in your OIL would be another matter.

^^^^^^^^ Expand above.

 

[Kaninja]

Might try flushing the cooling system with Cascade or TSP. Need something to remove the oil in the system. Simple Green can work as well. Drive it around a bit then do 2 complete flushes with distilled water and you should be good to go.

 

[Highwind59]

I replaced the cooler because I was still getting oil in coolant after the HG was done.
We looked at the cooler and it looked like there might have been a very small crack the would expand when it got hot. That's why we replaced the whole unit along with new gaskets. All 3.

No stop leak has been added since the HG has been done. I had put some rear main seal fix in it at one point before the new HG.

 

[flintknapper]

I replaced the cooler because I was still getting oil in coolant after the HG was done.
We looked at the cooler and it looked like there might have been a very small crack the would expand when it got hot. That's why we replaced the whole unit along with new gaskets. All 3.

Understand. Sounds like the prudent thing to do...then.

No stop leak has been added since the HG has been done. I had put some rear main seal fix in it at one point before the new HG.
Are you certain it is 'Oil' you are seeing in the coolant? Anything floating on the top at the radiator or are you just getting a film/residue of something in the overflow tank?

Expand ^^^^^^^

 

[Highwind59]

Expand ^^^^^^^

It is defiantly oil. I will try flushing and see what happens. Thanks guys.

 

[Rivman1243]

I would flush with water and liquid dish soap. I've used powdered soap and it works but not as well or as fast. Also very slowly and carefully remove the rad cap while the engine is still hot. You want the water/soap/oil to come out of the top of the rad. When you drain it out the bottom of the rad or block the oil coats everything on its way out because it had all floated to top. Think of the BP oil spill. All the oil was floating on the surface. Hope that makes sense

 

[97CruiserJoe]

I have the same issue but it's just not affecting the temp or how it runs so I have just been keeping an eye on it. Looking to rebuild at some point so I'm leaving it alone till next year.

 

[Highwind59]

I would flush with water and liquid dish soap. I've used powdered soap and it works but not as well or as fast. Also very slowly and carefully remove the rad cap while the engine is still hot. You want the water/soap/oil to come out of the top of the rad. When you drain it out the bottom of the rad or block the oil coats everything on its way out because it had all floated to top. Think of the BP oil spill. All the oil was floating on the surface. Hope that makes sense

That's good info. Thanks.

 

[LINUS]

Think of the BP oil spill. All the oil was floating on the surface. Hope that makes sense

Refined oil generally does have a lighter SG / floats on water.

What poured out of the blown wellhead from D.H. was a crude that made blood red / burgundy mess that would make miles long slicks floating at mid-level in the Gulf.

BP has a refinery right next to the Shell one here on Marches Point, they flat had an open call for ideas from all the refineries & anyone who had any idea, no matter how dumb, buddy who moved to TX & works Texaco SRU down there said they sent a ton of guys just to even work contain/cleanup.

If it floated it wouldn't be the $73BB mess it was/is.