The Ford Barn

PeterBo · 09-12-2018, 06:54 PM

I have just changed the engine oil - No problems.

I was emptying the drain pan into a drum for responsible disposal when at the bottom of the pan, I noticed some white streaks. These milky white streaks (see picture) are evidence of coolant in the oil, but only a very small amount!!

The question is, how much is too much? Should I be concerned about so little coolant loss and keep running but keep an eye on the amount, or should I lift the head, check the block for cracks etc. etc.? I am aware of the damage the coolant can do if it gets on to the bearings. Note too that I am running with 50:50 antifreeze.EEA95E93-218F-4774-B354-059F4C022CD0.jpg

Jerry in Shasta · 09-12-2018, 06:58 PM

For me any is to much.
JB

WHN · 09-12-2018, 07:04 PM

Fingers crossed. Never had water in oil. Before you start taking things apart, try some stop leak.

You don’t want anti freeze around your bearings.

JOHN CT · 09-12-2018, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry in Shasta

For me any is to much.
JB

I agree it’s too much. Step 1 it’s not going to get any better. Step 2 antifreeze is the worst thing for the engine babbitts

Jacksonlll · 09-12-2018, 07:51 PM

Retorque your head first.

Synchro909 · 09-12-2018, 08:38 PM

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Before you have a full scale panic attack, are you sure it is coolant in the sump? Could it be condensation? How long is it since you did a decent, long drive in the car and got it thoroughly warm and kept it that way for a while?

Big hammer · 09-12-2018, 08:45 PM

Was there any condensation in you catch pan? Did you get the engine nice and hot before draining the oil? Drain the antifreeze and retorque the head, refill with water and some anti rust water pump lubricant and go for a drive. Drain the oil and check for water. My fingers are crossed!

eagle · 09-12-2018, 09:41 PM

Don't jump off a bridge yet. Very likely it could be condensation as mentioned above. You can put a sample of it in a jar or clean container and have it analyzed. Then you KNOW what is going on.

Tom Wesenberg · 09-12-2018, 11:29 PM

I agree with it could be condensation since you are in winter down there. I never start an engine unless it's going to get to operating temp and run for at lease another 30 minutes. Mine stay parked for 6 to 7 months of winter, which will be here all too soon.

PeterBo · 09-13-2018, 01:56 AM

Hmmmm, that condensation idea is a really good thought. It has been bl...dy cold where we are and I only ran the car for 15 minutes before draining the oil. The ‘condensate’ is really white, not green, as is the antifreeze. Not an option to test the white fluid as I didn’t keep it after taking the photo - Whoops....

The other thought I had was to do a compression test. This would indicate if I have a blown head gasket or a head crack and the likely cylinder. Obviously a gasket would be preferred as it’s a relatively simple fix assuming it is a coolant leak.

Tom Wesenberg · 09-13-2018, 05:28 AM

Any white condensation in the oil fill pipe?

Patrick L. · 09-13-2018, 05:34 AM

If you are not losing any coolant then I agree with the condensation replies. I have that problem.

DHZIEMAN · 09-13-2018, 02:20 PM

Are you losing coolant where you must refill? Is there any seaping around the head gasket? is water blowing out the radiator? Regardless, before doing a bunch of stuff, Start out with Jacksonlll suggestion of tightening the head bolts. As an FYI, this is accomplished with a torque wrench, for all nuts but the one by the Distributor and what I did for that one nut is used a crows wrench for that one nut. The method of tightening the head is one of loosening the nut and then retightening it to the proper foot pounds. I went slightly over on mine and went to 55 ft-lbs. Use the same tightening pattern as specified by Ford. Do what you can to flush the oil pan, fill with new oil. Afterwards fill the radiator with antifreeze and add some kind of stop leak and run the car for week or two and monitor. Then if milk shows up again, more investigation is needed. Hope things work out!

Chuck Sea/Tac · 09-15-2018, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Any white condensation in the oil fill pipe?

What Tom said!! I wasn’t running a thermostat for a couple years, and in the winter time the engine didn’t get warm enough. When I went to change the oil in the spring the fill tube was full of milky guck. It was just condensation accumulation caused from not running the engine warm enough or possibly long enough.

Ernie Vitucci · 09-15-2018, 05:00 PM

The major suppliers have a special wrench for tightning head bolts. It is not much money and it makes the job easy. It is u shaped and is the right size for your 1/2 inch torque wrench on one end and the head bolt on the other end. I would follow the advice of number 7...Ernie in Arizona

09-12-2018, 06:54 PM	#1
PeterBo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Crackenback, NSW, Australia Posts: 25	Coolant in sump oil I have just changed the engine oil - No problems. I was emptying the drain pan into a drum for responsible disposal when at the bottom of the pan, I noticed some white streaks. These milky white streaks (see picture) are evidence of coolant in the oil, but only a very small amount!! The question is, how much is too much? Should I be concerned about so little coolant loss and keep running but keep an eye on the amount, or should I lift the head, check the block for cracks etc. etc.? I am aware of the damage the coolant can do if it gets on to the bearings. Note too that I am running with 50:50 antifreeze.EEA95E93-218F-4774-B354-059F4C022CD0.jpg

09-12-2018, 06:58 PM	#2
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 385	Re: Coolant in sump oil For me any is to much. JB __________________ Connoisseur of Rust

09-12-2018, 07:04 PM	#3
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,823	Re: Coolant in sump oil Fingers crossed. Never had water in oil. Before you start taking things apart, try some stop leak. You don’t want anti freeze around your bearings.

09-12-2018, 07:51 PM	#5
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Coolant in sump oil Retorque your head first.

09-12-2018, 08:38 PM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Coolant in sump oil Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Before you have a full scale panic attack, are you sure it is coolant in the sump? Could it be condensation? How long is it since you did a decent, long drive in the car and got it thoroughly warm and kept it that way for a while? __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood. Last edited by Synchro909; 09-13-2018 at 06:12 PM.

09-12-2018, 08:45 PM	#7
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Coolant in sump oil Was there any condensation in you catch pan? Did you get the engine nice and hot before draining the oil? Drain the antifreeze and retorque the head, refill with water and some anti rust water pump lubricant and go for a drive. Drain the oil and check for water. My fingers are crossed! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

09-12-2018, 09:41 PM	#8
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Coolant in sump oil Don't jump off a bridge yet. Very likely it could be condensation as mentioned above. You can put a sample of it in a jar or clean container and have it analyzed. Then you KNOW what is going on. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

09-12-2018, 11:29 PM	#9
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Coolant in sump oil I agree with it could be condensation since you are in winter down there. I never start an engine unless it's going to get to operating temp and run for at lease another 30 minutes. Mine stay parked for 6 to 7 months of winter, which will be here all too soon.

09-13-2018, 01:56 AM	#10
PeterBo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Crackenback, NSW, Australia Posts: 25	Re: Coolant in sump oil Hmmmm, that condensation idea is a really good thought. It has been bl...dy cold where we are and I only ran the car for 15 minutes before draining the oil. The ‘condensate’ is really white, not green, as is the antifreeze. Not an option to test the white fluid as I didn’t keep it after taking the photo - Whoops.... The other thought I had was to do a compression test. This would indicate if I have a blown head gasket or a head crack and the likely cylinder. Obviously a gasket would be preferred as it’s a relatively simple fix assuming it is a coolant leak.

09-13-2018, 05:28 AM	#11
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Coolant in sump oil Any white condensation in the oil fill pipe?

09-13-2018, 05:34 AM	#12
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Coolant in sump oil If you are not losing any coolant then I agree with the condensation replies. I have that problem.

09-13-2018, 02:20 PM	#13
DHZIEMAN Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Sunrise Beach, Mo Posts: 439	Re: Coolant in sump oil Are you losing coolant where you must refill? Is there any seaping around the head gasket? is water blowing out the radiator? Regardless, before doing a bunch of stuff, Start out with Jacksonlll suggestion of tightening the head bolts. As an FYI, this is accomplished with a torque wrench, for all nuts but the one by the Distributor and what I did for that one nut is used a crows wrench for that one nut. The method of tightening the head is one of loosening the nut and then retightening it to the proper foot pounds. I went slightly over on mine and went to 55 ft-lbs. Use the same tightening pattern as specified by Ford. Do what you can to flush the oil pan, fill with new oil. Afterwards fill the radiator with antifreeze and add some kind of stop leak and run the car for week or two and monitor. Then if milk shows up again, more investigation is needed. Hope things work out!

09-15-2018, 05:00 PM	#15
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 612	Re: Coolant in sump oil The major suppliers have a special wrench for tightning head bolts. It is not much money and it makes the job easy. It is u shaped and is the right size for your 1/2 inch torque wrench on one end and the head bolt on the other end. I would follow the advice of number 7...Ernie in Arizona