There's Oil in my coolant, but no coolant in oil! 2007 VNL670 w ISX

Hi guys,

I've read a lot of posts on here over the years, but this is my first time posting. I need help! Here's some background on what's going on. About 2 months ago I changed the coolant out on my truck for the first time since I bought it (60,000) miles ago. The first 2 weeks everything was fine, and then I developed a leak. 2 or 3 days after I noticed the leak I blew a heater hose, and so I bought all new hoses, and a reservoir cap. The next few trips I still noticed a little leaking, and finally I found a small crack in the plastic part of the radiator. I jb welded it, and used some fiberglass to give it some backbone, and jbwelded again. It worked great! I checked the coolant for the next few days, and all was well.

Now, I'll get to my current issue. A few days ago I noticed white smoke coming from under the truck from what I believe to be a breather tube of some sort. I'm attaching a picture, and hoping someone can identify it for me. I checked all under the hood, and then checked the coolant. I was horrified! My reservoir was packed with thick sludge! I drove on to the house, and drained out buckets upon buckets of sludge, and it's still packed in there. After doing a little research I'm thinking it's a bad oil cooler or oil cooler gasket. I have been having to add oil which is not unusual because I have a few oil leaks, but it seems I've been adding more than usual. I checked the transmission oil, and it's still up to the plug so that's not the problem. Do you guys have any advice, thoughts, or other possibilities of what it may be before I start taking stuff apart? I'm attaching several pictures so you know what I'm dealing with. There is one more thing, and I feel as though I will sound very stupid for this one, but I don't much care haha. I have an oil leak that it's drip point is directly on top of where the bottom radiator hose connects to the metal tube going up to the coolant filter. The clamp is tight, but it just makes me wonder if some how that oil is getting past the clamp. I know the dripping oil has no pressure, which is why I feel so stupid for saying it. If there was a leak at all in that case it'd be the pressurized coolant coming out of the hose not the dripping oil getting in. Anyhow, any help with my issue will be much appreciated! BTW please help me identify that hose in the first picture. It hangs down to below the bottom of the engine and usually blows out steam, but has been blowing white smoke. I'm pretty sure it's related to my issue somehow. Thanks,

 

I forgot to mention, when I changed out the coolant, I did run straight water through the system and drove it probably 60 miles round trip to see if the system was still leaking before I put that expensive coolant back in. I've heard the water can damage gaskets, but I never thought there was any truth to it. The coolant I've been using is the Global final charge red 50/50 stuff. I've changed it out 3 times now, and I don't want to have to do it again.

 

Is there a way to figure out whether it's the oil cooler or head gasket? Or do I just need to remove the oil cooler and test it, and then move onto the head gasket if that's not the problem? Also, what is the white smoke out of the blow by tube indicating? It just started, and I just found out there was oil in my coolant. The problems have to be connected somehow. Thanks for all of the advice so far guys.

 

Hey popcorn It's an 07 with just over a million miles. I'm hoping its just the oil cooler. I'm working on removing the turbo now. Not sure if I'll get it done today or not, but at least I started haha.