Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil in radiator

[JGheen]

Well, I think I finally blew the headgasket. Went out to check the oil before start-up this morning and noticed it seemed to be a little lower on the level than the last time I checked it. So as I was filling it up with some more oil I noticed that the coolant overflow bottle fluid was quite black and sure enough it was filled with oil. Pulled the radiator cap and it puked out tons of oil all over the place. :{

So, I think it is my headgasket from the pressure that seemed to come out of the radiator but I am also thinking it could be the oil cooler. The engine has way over 150K on it and been seeing 40+ lbs. of boost for the last 60K so I am leaning towards the gasket. Anyone care to take a stab at my problem, cooler or gasket?? I guess I will be pulling the oil cooler first before the head to make sure it is not the cooler, which I don't think it is with the very minimal cooler issues I have seen and heard of on here. Overall, IMO I think the cooler is a somewhat reliable unit, but then again... ... .



Joe

 

[obert]

A quick check is for bubbles in the rad when the engine is running. If so that should be a head gasket.

 

[JGheen]

Well, thing is I am afraid to start it back up so I don't do any unnecessary damage to do that easy check of bubbles in the radiator.

 

[supeerman4422]

do you have white smoke comming from your exhaust... this is usually a good sign of a headgasket problem...



-Tom

 

[Grizzly]

Could also be a cracked cylinder wall, although not as likely. This happened to me on a Ford gasser.

 

[DWitcher]

I'd say oil cooler. Cracked cyl wall would put water in the oil leading to higher dip stick levels. Head would probably put water in the oil aswell. Either way man sorry to here about the bad luck. Atleast it's only nuts and bolts.

 

[JGheen]

do you have white smoke comming from your exhaust... this is usually a good sign of a headgasket problem...



-Tom

Smoke lately seemed to be a little whiter than normal.

 

[JGheen]

I'd say oil cooler. Cracked cyl wall would put water in the oil leading to higher dip stick levels. Head would probably put water in the oil aswell. Either way man sorry to here about the bad luck. Atleast it's only nuts and bolts.

Yeah, I am gonna start with the oil cooler, get it out and pressure check it since that is a much easier job than the HG. Truck is coming apart somewhat extensive anyway to get all that oil out of the water system.



Does anyone think I may hurt anything if I start it up to check for bubbles in the radiator, just don't want to hurt anything that is not necessary. No coolant seems to be in the oil according to many dipstick checks.



Joe

 

[DPS]

Very doubtful that you would hurt it running it to check for combustion gas in the radiator. Probably a 90% chance that it is the HG. Very rarely do HGs end up with water in the oil. Always more oil pressure than water pressure and usually they only leak when running.



Josh



www.dieselperformancesolutions.com

 

[ata]

If it was me I would turn the engine over by hand at least one Revolution. If theres water or oil in any of the Cylenders it will not compress and the starter motor has enough power to bend and or break things.

 

[obert]

Very doubtful that you would hurt it running it to check for combustion gas in the radiator. Probably a 90% chance that it is the HG. Very rarely do HGs end up with water in the oil. Always more oil pressure than water pressure and usually they only leak when running.



Josh



www.dieselperformancesolutions.com

took the words out of my mouth :-laf

 

[JGheen]

Well, I went ahead and started it up to check for combustion leak. Double checked the oil on the dipstick to make sure there wasn't, if any, coolant on it and after about 3 dips, no coolant, so went ahead and started it. Popped the hood and pulled the radiator cap off and no bubbles. I only ran it for about 30-45 seconds with the cap off then shut it down. Is it possible there could be so much oil in the radiator that it may take a few minutes for any bubbles to show up??

Before I started it up, I looked real closely at the oil in the radiator as well as the oil in the overflow bottle and to me there was almost no trace of coolant anywhere. Of course there were small beads of green coolant in the oil when I spread some on my hand and on a towel but it's almost like there is nothing but oil in the cooling system. I don't really want to run it any more for it to just end up being a HG, but I think I will start with pulling the oil cooler this weekend just for kicks to make sure it is not cracked.



Joe

 

[DWitcher]

A head gasket will leak throuh the oil return and down into the crankcase aswell as leak into the cylinder and past the rings and into the crankcase of corse the coolant in the cyl will hydrolock if the leak is bad. But as Joe stated the oil is in the coolant and lots of it. The only way the oil can leak into the coolant is through the oil cooler element because it sits in the coolant at all times.

 

[DWitcher]

Well did you figure anything out yet?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

My vote is for the oil cooler. I'm pretty sure the oil is pressurized as it goes through the cooler, so if the tubing leaks you'll get a lot of oil in the cooling system pretty fast.



If the head gasket failed bad enough to blow into the coolant I would think you'd see some evidence of it seeping out between the block and head.



Vaughn

 

[DWitcher]

My vote is for the oil cooler. I'm pretty sure the oil is pressurized as it goes through the cooler, so if the tubing leaks you'll get a lot of oil in the cooling system pretty fast.



If the head gasket failed bad enough to blow into the coolant I would think you'd see some evidence of it seeping out between the block and head.



Vaughn

Thank you! Before I put my foot in my mouth let see what Joe comes up with.

The oil also dose'nt need to be pressurized to leak into the coolant through the oil cooler. Warm thined oil will also leak past the smallest of cracks.

 

[DProehl]

Joe, there is pressurized oil going through the head gasket to lube the rockers, you might look at a head gasket to see how close these transfer slots are to a coolant passage. Anyone have a spair gasket hanging around to check this out? I worked for a week flushing a 8. 3 C model that oiled the coolant threw the cooler. Good luck!

 

[JGheen]

Haven't found out anything yet guys, I won't be able to tear into it until tomorrow morning, but I am definately starting with the oil cooler and eliminating that before I remove the head and destroy a possible perfectly sealed stock HG. After looking at the oil in the radiator and overflow bottle again, I am leaning more towards the cooler for the main reason of the engine still running good and no coolant in the oil. I have not had a chance to drain the oil yet, but I guess I will know for sure if it is the HG if I get some coolant dumping out first when I pull the drain plug. Anyone know how much a new oil cooler assembly runs?? Is it a Cummins part, if so, anyone know the part #??



Thanks, Joe

 

[DWitcher]

The best way I've found is to add a little Cascade dishwasher soap in the radiator. It will cut the grease and not foam like liquid Palmolive or other types of liquid dishwashing soap.

 

[CToney]

Head Gasket

Joe I would guess that your headgasket failed between an oil passage and a coolant passage. This is what happened to me my fire rings still looked in good shape with no leaks visible. I removed my oil cooler and checked it out This also let the snot (oil/coolant) drain faster. I would remove the rad and all your hoses and get them cleaned and if you haven't done it yet put the kdp tab on as it's easier with the rad out. With the power you are making I would look into o-rings and studs. I was only doing about 35psi with straight 3" and stock turbo. I think the stock turbo is quite reliable but doesn't flow well past 32psi of boost. They took off 7 thousandths and did my valves.



Good Luck



C R Toney