Oil in coolant

Fordfan90

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hey guys my 7.3idi non turbo has oil in the coolant. I just changed the oil about 2 weeks ago but haven't gone through any. Any ideas before I pull the oil cooler and rebuild it? The radiator is shot so I'm buying a new one. I just want to know what else could cause oil in coolant.
 

shawn deere

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Going a new radiator? I just upgraded to an aluminum, the copper one was good as far as i know
 

austin92

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My first thought would be head gaskets.


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DaveBen

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Non turbos generally don't blow head gaskets. Check the oil cooler. They do cause oil in the coolant.
 

Fordfan90

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Non turbos generally don't blow head gaskets. Check the oil cooler. They do cause oil in the coolant.

I will pull it tomorrow I have the new kit to rebuild it. Do I need to use a press to get it back together?
 

Robert 85f250

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i just did my oil cooler last week, no press. i had two friends pull on both sides as i tapped with a 2x4 and hammer to get it apart. lay something down for easy cleanup first. to get it together, i used a jack, block of wood, and the rear bumper of a truck to get em together. grease helped it go together easier, a tip i read on here a couple different places
 

Hydro-idi

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Okay let's hold on here guys. If you blow a headgasket, you do not typically see oil in coolant as a result. You would either see exhaust gas bubbles in cooling system, white sweet smelling exhaust, or an external leak.
And yes, even non turbo engines can pop a headgasket, especially 6.9's due to smaller headbolts.
Since oil psi is greater than coolant pressure, the most likely cause of your problem would be a failed oil cooler o-ring. They are kind of a pain to rebuild and have always taken them to a shop. If it is in fact the oil cooler, make sure you use a reseal kit that includes both the green & black o-rings. If all 4 o-rings are black in color, that is the "cheap" kit & will eventually leak on ya.
 

rustygold

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I would say oil cooler them seals get so hard over the years.

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shawn deere

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I will pull it tomorrow I have the new kit to rebuild it. Do I need to use a press to get it back together?
I did it myself by hand. Might have gotten lucky tho. I put a knee on it, used a hand to line it up and another hand had a pry bar that i tapped on the lip. It snapped right in for me.
To get it off there are about 3 ways to do it.
1. Pull engine. ( dont do it)
2. Diss assemble under the hood and take it out in pieces
3. Remove motor mount, use a jack to lift the engine a bit to get it out
4. Remove power steering pump, and steering column. ( thats what i picked. )
 

shawn deere

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Is the aluminum a good one?
Hope so! Lol
From what i gather on heat transfer copper is the best, aluminum is second, and brass is trailing far behind. I believe the copper radiators are mainly brass. Ive got a turbo and im cranking it up, felt like i could some extra cooling power.
 

Fordfan90

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Okay let's hold on here guys. If you blow a headgasket, you do not typically see oil in coolant as a result. You would either see exhaust gas bubbles in cooling system, white sweet smelling exhaust, or an external leak.
And yes, even non turbo engines can pop a headgasket, especially 6.9's due to smaller headbolts.
Since oil psi is greater than coolant pressure, the most likely cause of your problem would be a failed oil cooler o-ring. They are kind of a pain to rebuild and have always taken them to a shop. If it is in fact the oil cooler, make sure you use a reseal kit that includes both the green & black o-rings. If all 4 o-rings are black in color, that is the "cheap" kit & will eventually leak on ya.


My kit has 2 green and 4 black is that a good kit?
 

shawn deere

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My kit has 2 green and 4 black is that a good kit?
Might be the wrong kit actually.
The old 6.9 used a 6 ring deal. 7.3 used 4 ive heard both ways if there interchangeable or not. Someone who knows will chime in im sure
 

Fordfan90

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Might be the wrong kit actually.
The old 6.9 used a 6 ring deal. 7.3 used 4 ive heard both ways if there interchangeable or not. Someone who knows will chime in im sure


It has 2 green o rings with two black and the gaskets that gone on the block then in a separate bag it has two more o rings. I was looking under the pickup today sense at work I didn't want to put it on the lift. I found coolant on passenger side on the bottom of the motor on the starter and power cable. The bottom of the radiator leaks a lot could that be from that? I looked all of the place and can't find where any other coolant is coming from I just did the t stat a couple weeks ago in it and it's not leaking. Any idea?
 

MtnHaul

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Passenger side coolant leak I would inspect the hoses going to the heater core. And you should be able to get the cooler together without a press. I used assembly lube and one side popped right in but the other needed a bit more effort--still not that bad. I actually just held one end against my flatbed and pushed on the other with my chest. Not very elegant but it got the job done.
 

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