The Ford Barn

DWester · 03-02-2018, 09:45 AM

We just bought this 31 A coupe and noticed the oil at the lower end of the radiator. It doesn't appear that there's any oil leaks up front to cause this. Has anyone experienced this before?

SeaSlugs · 03-02-2018, 10:01 AM

And your SURE its oil? Coolant leaks get sticky with time and can seem like oil.

Theres no logical reason i can think of why that big of an oil leak would show up there short of someone accidently knocking over an oil bottle.

katy · 03-02-2018, 10:04 AM

Wash it off w/detergent and see if it re-appears.

3.6rs · 03-02-2018, 10:16 AM

Probably not oil but water with antifreeze.

TinCup · 03-02-2018, 10:19 AM

If someone has over greased the rear water pump zerk the oil from the grease plus coolant can cause this. I have seen so many radiators that are full of grease from this. The rear pump zerk should get just a little grease maybe once a year. Open the cap and you may find that the extra grease will accumulate around the filler neck and the overflow.

Dan Partain · 03-02-2018, 10:21 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If you run the engine without the timing pin it will spit out oil that can get on the bottom of the radiator.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-02-2018, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

Wash it off w/detergent and see if it re-appears.

Katy,
Spray 409 or Fantastic on a wide paint brush & run the bristles across through the fins & it cleans it nice & easy. No hosing needed.
Bill W.

DWester · 03-02-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

And your SURE its oil? Coolant leaks get sticky with time and can seem like oil.

Theres no logical reason i can think of why that big of an oil leak would show up there short of someone accidently knocking over an oil bottle.

That was our thinking, but having never owned one of these before, I decided to ask you guys. I'll take a good look at the rear zerk/grease also and see if it's contributing. Thanks you guys!!

DWester · 03-02-2018, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Partain

If you run the engine without the timing pin it will spit out oil that can get on the bottom of the radiator.

Interesting. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Katy,
Spray 409 or Fantastic on a wide paint brush & run the bristles across through the fins & it cleans it nice & easy. No hosing needed.
Bill W.

I've got Fantastic and will give it a try. Thanks!!

BillEbob · 03-02-2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3.6rs

Probably not oil but water with antifreeze.

Plus 1!

SeaSlugs · 03-02-2018, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Partain

If you run the engine without the timing pin it will spit out oil that can get on the bottom of the radiator.

oooh good point. about the right height for that. Does your wisdom come from experience?

Dan Partain · 03-02-2018, 12:27 PM

Yes, Some things we learn the hard way, LOL!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-02-2018, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWester

Interesting. Thanks

I've got Fantastic and will give it a try. Thanks!!

We not only have Fantastic, but The Dog & I are "FANTASTIC"--- Just ask us----LOL
Bill W. & Buster T.

WHN · 03-02-2018, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Partain

Yes, Some things we learn the hard way, LOL!

Very nice looking car. Enjoy.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-03-2018, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Partain

If you run the engine without the timing pin it will spit out oil that can get on the bottom of the radiator.

Yep, it happened to me once, and I'd bet that's what happened here.

When I bought my 28, it had a wet spot on the top right of the radiator. I used a radiator sealant like Bars Leak or something like that, and it's been dry for the past 18 years.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-03-2018, 09:46 AM

Sometimes stains like that come from Folks that use Soluable Oil for a rust inhibitor & "maybe" it boiled over at one time. Seems that stains like that are fairly common.
I've even seen CARS for SALE, with stains like that. I've also seen them, with PUDDLES under them!!!!
Bill W.

fastroadster · 03-04-2018, 07:05 PM

Could be..... someone added soluble oil to radiator water instead of antifreeze. This is what in the old days was called water pump lubricant.

03-02-2018, 10:01 AM	#2
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Oil on radiator?? And your SURE its oil? Coolant leaks get sticky with time and can seem like oil. Theres no logical reason i can think of why that big of an oil leak would show up there short of someone accidently knocking over an oil bottle. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

03-02-2018, 10:04 AM	#3
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,043	Re: Oil on radiator?? Wash it off w/detergent and see if it re-appears. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

03-02-2018, 10:16 AM	#4
3.6rs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Belgistan (formerly known as Belgium) Posts: 573	Re: Oil on radiator?? Probably not oil but water with antifreeze.

03-02-2018, 10:19 AM	#5
TinCup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OKC / Tonkawa, Ok. Posts: 1,977	Re: Oil on radiator?? If someone has over greased the rear water pump zerk the oil from the grease plus coolant can cause this. I have seen so many radiators that are full of grease from this. The rear pump zerk should get just a little grease maybe once a year. Open the cap and you may find that the extra grease will accumulate around the filler neck and the overflow. __________________ Oklahoma City Model A Restorers Group. Last edited by TinCup; 03-02-2018 at 10:44 AM.

03-02-2018, 10:21 AM	#6
Dan Partain Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hangtown, CA Posts: 556	Re: Oil on radiator?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you run the engine without the timing pin it will spit out oil that can get on the bottom of the radiator.

03-03-2018, 09:46 AM	#16
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Oil on radiator?? Sometimes stains like that come from Folks that use Soluable Oil for a rust inhibitor & "maybe" it boiled over at one time. Seems that stains like that are fairly common. I've even seen CARS for SALE, with stains like that. I've also seen them, with PUDDLES under them!!!! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 03-03-2018 at 08:16 PM.

03-04-2018, 07:05 PM	#17
fastroadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Santa Cruz Ca. Posts: 175	Re: Oil on radiator?? Could be..... someone added soluble oil to radiator water instead of antifreeze. This is what in the old days was called water pump lubricant.