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Oil in Coolant

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Grouch, Apr 15, 2017.

  1. Apr 15, 2017 #1
    Grouch

    Grouch Road Train Member

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    Last nite, I was getting ready to go out, cranked the truck, it ran for a few seconds and shut down. I checked the coolant reservoir, dry and when I shined the flashlight down in it, I saw "gunk". Called our mechanic, he came out, checked it and declared that it was a blown head gasket. Now, my question, if oil was getting into the coolant, no doubt about that, why or how did the reservoir not overflow, what happened to the coolant?? No coolant in the oil, so where did the coolant go?? I am just a dumb truck driver, I realize this fact, but it doesn't make sense,
     
    Grouch, Apr 15, 2017
    Grouch, Apr 15, 2017
    #1
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  3. Apr 15, 2017 #2
    GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    If it is in fact a head gasket, then your coolant most likely burned out your exhaust. Did you drain the oil, or just look at the dip stick? If your oil cooler failed, it would push oil into the coolant, but when you shut it off, coolant pressure is higher and coolant can push into the oil. You would not see it on the dipstick if that happened over night and you did not run it long enough it to churn it. The coolant would be at the bottom of the pan.
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2017
    GrapeApe, Apr 15, 2017
    GrapeApe, Apr 15, 2017
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  4. Apr 15, 2017 #3
    spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    If you got the head off to change a head gasket you really need to consider going ahead and doing an inframe. 90% of the labor in inframing an engine is getting the head off.

    To determine if coolant is in the oil the easiest way i have found is let it sit a few hours and crack the drain plug. Oil floats on coolant, so the coolant will drop to the bottom of the pan. When you crack it open, the coolant will come out first. I limited a truck from wisconsin home to Florida by doing this. Ran 5 hours, leet it sit a while, drained the coolant out of the pan, topped off the reservoir and ran 5 more hours. Pain in the butt but got it home so i could rebuild it at cost vs 12 grand at some detroit shop.
     
    spyder7723, Apr 15, 2017
    spyder7723, Apr 15, 2017
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  5. Apr 15, 2017 #4
    Grouch

    Grouch Road Train Member

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    Appreciate the replies. Very good advice and the coolant i n the bottom of the pan. I only pulled the dipstick. The mechanic is really not an engine man, he does pretty good with what he has to work with, but they will send this truck to our home office to be repaired. We do have two super engine men there. Thanks again.
     
    Grouch, Apr 15, 2017
    Grouch, Apr 15, 2017
    #4
  7. Apr 19, 2017 #5
    WildK100c

    WildK100c Bobtail Member

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    What kind of engine?
    What does the oil look Like?
    Up till the point of coolant loss was there a decrease in power?
     
    WildK100c, Apr 19, 2017
    WildK100c, Apr 19, 2017
    #5
  8. Apr 19, 2017 #6
    WildK100c

    WildK100c Bobtail Member

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    One more thing may have a pin hole just starting in oil cooler or water pump turbo
     
    WildK100c, Apr 19, 2017
    WildK100c, Apr 19, 2017
    #6
  9. Apr 19, 2017 #7
    Grouch

    Grouch Road Train Member

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    Detroit ----Oil looks like black oil---no loss in power

    A small round hole was found on the left side of engine block right about where the starter is at. The small round hole had threads in it and the mechanic inserted a bolt that would fit and screwed it in. Oil is still in the coolant, I was told to "run it". The oil level is staying normal, the coolant level is also staying normal. I have put over 1500 miles on the engine since all this took place. Have not added oil or coolant. Everything is normal as far as running goes.
     
    Grouch, Apr 19, 2017
    Grouch, Apr 19, 2017
    #7
  10. Apr 25, 2017 #8
    379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    If there's oil in the COOLANT not the other way around I'd lean towards an oil cooler long before a head gasket just my .02 I've had the problem not once but twice in 2 years.

    Both times it was an oil cooler (I have 2 1 on the trans 1 on the motor one went then the other). Usually with a head gasket it'll either push water out the overflow when it's topped off put water back into the oil or blow water out the stack (combo of all 3 in some cases).

    It doesn't take long to gum up the tank either little oil makes a large mess both on the ground and in the resiovouir. Cascade complete packs work wonders after draining the system fill with water run it up to temp then flush and repeat until the water runs clear.
     
    379exhd, Apr 25, 2017
    379exhd, Apr 25, 2017
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