thanks for the good info. I checked it out and it looks to be a great service at reasonable price.

Just been changing water lately. No anti freeze. I flushed the anti freeze earlier when I tried some block, crack sealer. K&B ? Didn't help. I could tell long story on that......but read about oil pressure being higher than water pressure, I didn't think retreating the water system made sense. I really don't like running straight water all the time. This has been going on for about 6 months. I use it every couple of weeks for about 200 mile trip.

I didn't know about oil cooler at first.

test oil and change oil.....

 

I have put a couple of hundred miles on it since I changed the water. I still have very, very small amount of oil in water tank. It is such a very small amount that I wonder if it is just a dab of oil that didn't come out just by draining and refilling the water. It is really almost an pil sheen. When I put a small piece of white cloth in the water tank and then pull it out, there is only very very small oil spots on it. Then visually looking in the tank, looks clean. Not perfect because of some residue in tank.

Any ideas on what to use to properly flush cooling system to rid it of any lingering oil.

I have considered the compression test but, accessing the spark plugs on this van is not easy. I'm sure you know this.

I do like the idea of oil cooler.

.........

I bought replacement key-less fob to replace the one that quit working. Can't seem to locate programing connector at lower end of steering column. Maybe on the wrong track.?? 1997 E150 conversion van.

.........

 

Here's the good news.

I completely disconnected the water line hoses from the oil cooler and looped them together.. I then started the engine and saw a little oil leaking out of oil cooler. I used a short piece of hose and looped oil cooler openings where the water lines were previously connected.
I changed oil and filter. Flushed water system using some "Dawn" dishwashing soap as an emulsifier to help clean cooling system of oil. Probably will do it again.

Took the van on 1000 mile trip. Gone for 3 days on the road.

Problem solved. No oil in the water system. No water in the oil. Never did have any water in the oil that I detected.

I think I have found the problem. I going to replace the oil cooler. This is the oil cooler that is located where the oil filter is on the engine.

Thanks for input and ideas. Hope this helps someone.

......

 

This also happened to me exactly. It WAS a blown oil cooler 100%.
(Search for 'brown trouble overflowing' and you will find my link).
I did similar tricks (wish I had seen this thread last January). Removed two coolant lines and tied them together with a coolant rated elbow and original hose clamps.
On startup, I could easily see oil pouring out of the defective oil cooler. Obvi, should not be doing that.
I have a slight residue in system as well, interesting to read your comments about Dawn. I may try that soon.

 

the dawn worked good, did take a lot of flushing to get soap out. I did read dishwasher soap works and not as much suds to deal with. Didn't bother me and I had dawn.
worked out good. just left oil cooler unhooked from water lines.

might help out if i have to replace lower radiator hose. that hose is expensive.

 

a little oil in the water won't hurt anything
I'd be careful using any detergents
it will hurt the WP seal

 

Interesting comments Vettex2.
3 people who really know how to wrench on trucks told me the same thing lately. That a little oil residue left over is no big deal at all.
I read a lot of forum people freaking out about and doing all sorts of measures, but not sure it's that big of an issue now.

 

on race cars where anti freeze is not allowed, we add oil to the water for the WP

 

Wait what?
I did not know that.
I know with track bikes I've seen many of them use that water wetter product with distilled water. I know what you mean about the anitfreeze track ban. Just didn't know you might add oil. Gosh, that's quite some news.
I've thoroughly cleaned out my de-gas bottle 4x. Each time the amount of oil residue dramatically lessens. It's very little at this point - and I am thinking most of the residue in the system rises up there and floats on the top of the coolant (rather than stay deep down in the system / block / heater core / cooler - at least that's my hope).

 

Yup. Water Wetter is more expensive but it really is no better
They make a bunch of claims but I never seen it in the same car for long enough for it to matter
The "it runs cooler" claim is pure BS though

 

I had read that oil in water would hurt rubber hoses. After reading reply guess not true.
Would have saved bunch of flushing time....

 

well a bunch of oil will but a sheen sure won't
If it is milky, yup I'd flush it thoroughly, but you don't need to use chemicals
Worrying about every last drop isn't needed