The Ford Barn

Phred · 06-18-2013, 05:49 AM

I was helping a new Model A enthusiast check out a Tudor that is for sale. When we came back from a 2 -3 mile test drive, foam was coming out the radiator overflow. Removed radiator cap to see LOTS of foam.

Mid 1980's restoration with only 500 (approx) miles since. Don't know level of coolant in radiator before test drive (seller said he had not added water in "a couple years" and did not know what type of antifreeze was used.). No temp gauge or motometer to tell temperature. Oil dipstick did not show milky or frothy oil, nor did breather tube.

What might be causing this? Is this a serious concern for a buyer that wants to buy a ready to drive car?

Thanks in advance. Peace

Bob-A · 06-18-2013, 06:08 AM

I had Prestone antifreeze for a while in one of my "A's" years ago and it would foam up too. I switched to the Sierra brand antifreeze and no more foaming. Sierra is more ecological friendly and is even green in color.

However, for a car that sounds like it has not been driven for a few years.
I'm sure there are more reasons why it is foaming then just the type of antifreeze in it. The whole coolent system needs a thorough cleaning
most likely.

Bob-A

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 06-18-2013, 06:09 AM

Sometimes it can be antifreeze but generally that indicates there is combustion gasses entering the cooling system. Cracked head, blown/loose head gasket, cracked block? If I had the opportunity, I would drain all of the coolant and add straight water and go make the drive again and see if you still see bubbles.

Will N · 06-18-2013, 07:21 AM

I've experience foaming after driving at sustained high speed, which I cured by adding a capful of the anti-foaming stuff that they sell by those carpet cleaning machines that you can rent at a supermarket. I believe I have Prestone antifreeze in the radiator. How fast did you go on your test drive? If it was a fairly short drive at 30-35 mph, I would suspect as Brent suggested that there might be something else going on.

Richard Wilson · 06-18-2013, 08:30 AM

Very simple for owner to drain antifreeze, flush and refill with water. If it is still foaming with just water then there is a problem.

Bill Steiner · 06-18-2013, 10:04 AM

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I also don't think it is the antifreeze causing it. I never have any problem with antifreeze. Bill

Tom Wesenberg · 06-18-2013, 10:27 AM

My Allis WD and Model A both have non pressure radiators and I've also never had a foaming problem with 50% antifreeze.

Could the water pump be sucking air past the seal?
I use lead packing rings with grease smeared on them and it seals perfectly.

lindy williams · 06-18-2013, 10:31 AM

Grease pumped into cooling system from over greasing the rear bushing on the water pump can make foam.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 06-18-2013, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindy williams

Grease pumped into cooling system from over greasing the rear bushing on the water pump can make foam.

Is this from soap-based greases -or synthetics too??

Allanw · 06-18-2013, 01:34 PM

Ours foamed up with antifreeze when the radiator was blocked. We had it cleaned out, added the same brand of antifreeze (generic stuff) and it's been fine ever since.

It could be worth using Toms Vinegar trick on it.

lindy williams · 06-18-2013, 08:30 PM

Must be from soap based greases because I've never used synchetics.

Phil · 06-18-2013, 09:22 PM

Had one Midel A and one flathead V8 that foamed. Pulled heads, flushed system nothing solved the problem. A little Rug Doctor anti foam, problem solved. Thousands of miles absolutely to problems. Don't add water oil stays clean. I don't know why they foamed. Some one on here said it was just masking a big problem, may be, but many miles and years have passed and they function well.

06-18-2013, 05:49 AM	#1
Phred Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: IL Posts: 303	Foaming Antifreeze I was helping a new Model A enthusiast check out a Tudor that is for sale. When we came back from a 2 -3 mile test drive, foam was coming out the radiator overflow. Removed radiator cap to see LOTS of foam. Mid 1980's restoration with only 500 (approx) miles since. Don't know level of coolant in radiator before test drive (seller said he had not added water in "a couple years" and did not know what type of antifreeze was used.). No temp gauge or motometer to tell temperature. Oil dipstick did not show milky or frothy oil, nor did breather tube. What might be causing this? Is this a serious concern for a buyer that wants to buy a ready to drive car? Thanks in advance. Peace

06-18-2013, 06:08 AM	#2
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,138	Re: Foaming Antifreeze I had Prestone antifreeze for a while in one of my "A's" years ago and it would foam up too. I switched to the Sierra brand antifreeze and no more foaming. Sierra is more ecological friendly and is even green in color. However, for a car that sounds like it has not been driven for a few years. I'm sure there are more reasons why it is foaming then just the type of antifreeze in it. The whole coolent system needs a thorough cleaning most likely. Bob-A

06-18-2013, 06:09 AM	#3
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,520	Re: Foaming Antifreeze Sometimes it can be antifreeze but generally that indicates there is combustion gasses entering the cooling system. Cracked head, blown/loose head gasket, cracked block? If I had the opportunity, I would drain all of the coolant and add straight water and go make the drive again and see if you still see bubbles. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

06-18-2013, 07:21 AM	#4
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,100	Re: Foaming Antifreeze I've experience foaming after driving at sustained high speed, which I cured by adding a capful of the anti-foaming stuff that they sell by those carpet cleaning machines that you can rent at a supermarket. I believe I have Prestone antifreeze in the radiator. How fast did you go on your test drive? If it was a fairly short drive at 30-35 mph, I would suspect as Brent suggested that there might be something else going on.

06-18-2013, 08:30 AM	#5
Richard Wilson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NC Posts: 908	Re: Foaming Antifreeze Very simple for owner to drain antifreeze, flush and refill with water. If it is still foaming with just water then there is a problem.

06-18-2013, 10:04 AM	#6
Bill Steiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 263	Re: Foaming Antifreeze Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I also don't think it is the antifreeze causing it. I never have any problem with antifreeze. Bill

06-18-2013, 10:27 AM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Foaming Antifreeze My Allis WD and Model A both have non pressure radiators and I've also never had a foaming problem with 50% antifreeze. Could the water pump be sucking air past the seal? I use lead packing rings with grease smeared on them and it seals perfectly.

06-18-2013, 10:31 AM	#8
lindy williams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 335	Re: Foaming Antifreeze Grease pumped into cooling system from over greasing the rear bushing on the water pump can make foam.

06-18-2013, 01:34 PM	#10
Allanw Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Whangarei, New Zealand Posts: 298	Re: Foaming Antifreeze Ours foamed up with antifreeze when the radiator was blocked. We had it cleaned out, added the same brand of antifreeze (generic stuff) and it's been fine ever since. It could be worth using Toms Vinegar trick on it. __________________ Allan '29 Tudor, Canadian RHD Whangarei, NZ "Duct Tape can't fix stupid, but it can MUFFLE the sound"

06-18-2013, 08:30 PM	#11
lindy williams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 335	Re: Foaming Antifreeze Must be from soap based greases because I've never used synchetics.

06-18-2013, 09:22 PM	#12
Phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bethany, Ok Posts: 382	Re: Foaming Antifreeze Had one Midel A and one flathead V8 that foamed. Pulled heads, flushed system nothing solved the problem. A little Rug Doctor anti foam, problem solved. Thousands of miles absolutely to problems. Don't add water oil stays clean. I don't know why they foamed. Some one on here said it was just masking a big problem, may be, but many miles and years have passed and they function well.