I know Coolant in the oil is bad thing, but can it be from replacing the head gasket? I had oil in the coolant before the gasket replacement, but not coolant in the oil. So I was wandering what else I should do besides change the oil? Thanks

Hi ammdc7 (name or part no?)

1. I am no expert but from first principles.

2. What did you do with the head to check there were no cracks and that it was true and flat - while it was off?

3. If you are confident true and flat, and that you have assembled correctly etc. Then:

4. Before you go slitting your wrists I would give the coolant system a thorough flush maybe with a bit of detergent introduced to scour remnants of oil from the cooling passages. Oil in cooling passages is bad news and can lead to local overheating and cracking!

5. I could not recommend what sort of detergent/doseage - but an expert will surely be along shortly.

6. I would get the engine up to op temp with detergent and run for say 10 mins or so before dropping the charge out and then conducting a good reverse flush ( maybe even take out stat during later flush procedure).

7. The reason I suggest this - that is possible oil got into coolant circuit during the maintenance procedure - you may be the best judge of that - of course. Anyways eliminate this first. If oil comes back after this then you have a problem and maybe the head is going to have to come right off again!

Best of luck!

Edit 1: I have just given an answer to a question you did not ask. Coolant in the oil - only my paras 1, 2 & 3 apply!

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NormanB
230 TE (W124) 1989 with 153,000 miles on the clock - hoping for at least another 100K

tkamiya, I think that's what I WANTED to hear!! I had just started it up today and started getting coolant in the oil. Probably residual crap! So I'll be changing some oil and coolant tomorrow. Thanks

Dont run it long with coolant in the oil, it'll beat the babbit off the bearings. Get it warm and dump it HOT, then restart it and recheck for coolant leaks. Pressure testing a fresh headgasket before a few heat cycles wont work. Even the old TDM I have tells you the gasket will not seal.



Joe

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Project Smoker, '87 603 powered wagon
Hauler, 96 CTD can you say torque?
Toy 73 Cougar xr7 convertible
Acme Automotive Inc.
Raleigh NC
919-881-0364

I really appreciate all your help! I didn't really think about things until I panicked when I started it up, and blam coolant in the oil. I warmed her up this morning and drained it hot, letting it drip all day. Just put new oil in and ran for a couple of minutes, checked and absolutely no trace of coolant... yet! So I thank you and will keep checking the oil constantly probably for a while.