greetings...
I have a 1990 f150 with 4.9 six and 4od tranny.

Not too long ago(when it was COLD out) the temp guage would go all the way up to the "L" in normal and then quickly plunge to below "N". I know I have a leak in the radiator at the upper hose. Its either the clamp not sealing or I need a new radiator(neither are a problem...I can fix those). While the temp guage was going up, I could hear the water pump lightly squeaking, and then stop squeaking when the thermostat opened up. ALso, the oil cap has spooge under it. I changed the oil...looked fine.

Now the water pump is still squeaking even when the thermostat opens.

This is what I am thinking. The oil....spooge is from not being able to get hot enuff and stay hot enuff to burn off. The water pump.. replace it. The radiator... goes without saying(fix or replace). The thermostat...replace.

Now then....the big question....does this at all sound like I have a bad head gasket? The oil in the pan looked like oil....not coffee or mud.


Any help would be appreciated....please EMAIL me.

bobodean(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

 

Posting your e-mail is just asking for spam - a moderator can edit it out for you.

If the engine runs OK and there's not much airflow out of the oil filler neck, then the gasket is probably fine. A radiator or tune-up shop can do a test for exhaust in the coolant.

 

When was the last time the cooling system was REALLY flushed (not undo the hoses and pour water thru the rad.?).

Sounds like a lack of maintenance and the rusty crud is building up in the system. Doubt it would be oil at this point. sounds more like a rusty/clogged system that needs a fair amount of work.

1.) Go get a Prestone reverse flush kit. Install it per instructions.

2.) Get a can of Cooling system flush, dump out the Anti-freeze/water/sludge mix until you get clear water coming out. Keep it going for 5 more minutes. NOW put the flush in the radiator and run Engine per instructions.

3.) Good idea at this point to get ALL new hoses, clamps, thermostat, and cap.

4.) at end of cycling period, flush out system with clear water (see #2). SHUT down engine.

5.) Let Engine sit a couple hours to cool down some. REPLACE ALL HOSES and CLAMPS. REPLACE THERMOSTAT if not already done. Pull drain plugs from block and completely drain engine. Replace plugs using pipe dope.

6.) Figure out how many qts. your Cooling system is. Make up a 60/40% mix of Anti-freeze/water.

7.) With all hoses buttoned up and the Flush "T" open, fill the cooling system with mix. When the radiator is full, cap the "T", and start the engine. When the thermostat opens(normal operating temp), the level in the radiator will go DOWN. Fill to top. Rev to about 2000 add to top and install NEW radiator cap while revs are up. Fill overflow tank to recommended level and shut engine down. Let cool overnight and re-check overflow tank. Top off as necessary.

DO THIS NO FURTHER APART THAN EVERY TWO YEARS. HOSES can go EVERY 5. I've never had a cooling system failure with regular maintenance.

Larry