I hadn't run into that yet, so it escaped my mind. It makes sense - green coolant plus red transmission fluid mixes to make brown yuck.
Coolant contaminated
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Florida
jccapri, thank you very much. I thought there was no way the two fluids could mix in the radiator. I always thought engine coolant, tranny fluid, and whatever else (Power steering fluid???) were completely separated through the radiator...... That each system had their own, separate set of tubing going through the heat exchanging fins. No? There's a way they can contaminate each other? I sure hope you're right, it'd be a much easier fix!!!Teach me my good man! (See my avatar).
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: garland tx
Your welcome I pull my hair out trying to find what that Brown fluid was in mine. what eventually led me to find it was I kept sucking the brown stuff out and two days later it would be there again after about 4 times my transmission went to locking the converter up all the time and when I checked the fluid in the trans it was the same brown stuff as what was in the radiator. got real lucky so far drain the transmission changed the filter filled her back up and she's been good ever since it's been over a year now. I believe you can get a new radiator from O'Reilly's auto-parts like $180
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: garland tx
When the truck is running it will push transmission fluid in the radiator When you kill the truck the radiator pushes and freeze and. water into the transmission cooler hopefully this helps you figure it all out. I know I have a brand new o-ring kit for the oil cooler whenever I need it now
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Northwest Florida
Wow, a whole new universe to explore. It may take me awhile, but I'll figure it out and report back. Surely there's a way to check the integrity of the radiator? What do you guys think about the idea of pulling the radiator for a thorough examination? Shouldn't cost much more than time! But then there's still the white smoke issue.....coolant in the cylinders?
I'm elbow deep into another project that cannot be put on hold, so it'll be awhile before I can start tearing into it in earnest, but in the meantime I'm going to try and learn as much as I can. If knowledge is power, I feel like a flea trying to pull a plow!
Can you tell me more about the O ring kit. Where are the O rings used in the cooler? Could this be the weak point that allows the fluids to mix?
As always, grateful for any input.
I'm elbow deep into another project that cannot be put on hold, so it'll be awhile before I can start tearing into it in earnest, but in the meantime I'm going to try and learn as much as I can. If knowledge is power, I feel like a flea trying to pull a plow!
Can you tell me more about the O ring kit. Where are the O rings used in the cooler? Could this be the weak point that allows the fluids to mix?
As always, grateful for any input.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: north of Minneapolis, MN
That would not explain the white smoke at start though...he is getting something into the combustion chamber.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Northwest Florida
I think I just had a rogue brain cell fire...... Since I have an auxiliary tranny cooler of decent capacity, I'm thinking I could simply bypass the OE cooler to eliminate that possibility. Whatcha' think?
PS, I double-checked the trans oil on the dipstick....it looks nice and clear, no milkiness at all. It smells good (but tastes just plain nasty!).
PS, I double-checked the trans oil on the dipstick....it looks nice and clear, no milkiness at all. It smells good (but tastes just plain nasty!).
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Northwest Florida
Yes Dan, I'm afearin' the same conclusion. Thanks.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Northwest Florida
Here's a pic: IMG_0485_zps84f7ee2b.jpg Photo by bunklash | Photobucket
Thought I'd labled the pic. In order it's: from my degas bottle (notice it's much darker color now?), then coolant and fuel, coolant/trans fl., then all three.
Could it be exhaust is getting in there too? I swear, it smells like oil based paint!!
Any info on the radiator O rings?
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From: garland tx
The o ring kit goes on the oil cooler that is located on the side of the motor it can leak and allow water into the oil or oil into the water. when you say there is white smoke coming out the exhaust does it linger around or doesn't dissipate think of it this way when you burn something on the stove the house fills full of smoke but when you bowl water you get a white smoke off but it's actually steam it dissipates very quickly if you're burning oil it will make a smoke that will stay in the air
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 123
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Noob chiming in
Hi guys,
Boy do I wish I could post a picture, but as a newbie, apparently I cannot. I just acquired an 02 7.3 Ex, and I've got fuel in my degas tank, about 1/4" right now, but I've sucked it out earlier. Just doesn't look exactly like the other pics. I've got the fuel in the top layer followed by about an inch of floating goop. Maybe I could email my pic to someone and they could post it for me?
Thanks!
Curt
Boy do I wish I could post a picture, but as a newbie, apparently I cannot. I just acquired an 02 7.3 Ex, and I've got fuel in my degas tank, about 1/4" right now, but I've sucked it out earlier. Just doesn't look exactly like the other pics. I've got the fuel in the top layer followed by about an inch of floating goop. Maybe I could email my pic to someone and they could post it for me?
Thanks!
Curt
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Northwest Florida
Curt,
Welcome to FTE.
This was the first time I posted pics, turns out it's pretty easy. I don't know how to put the pic right in the post, but can post a link to PhotoBucket.com It's a bit dicey getting through PB's hoops, but works pretty straight-forward once ya get it. Give it a try, others would like to see also.
Hope ya stick around, there are really good folks with lots of knowledge here.
Welcome to FTE.
This was the first time I posted pics, turns out it's pretty easy. I don't know how to put the pic right in the post, but can post a link to PhotoBucket.com It's a bit dicey getting through PB's hoops, but works pretty straight-forward once ya get it. Give it a try, others would like to see also.
Hope ya stick around, there are really good folks with lots of knowledge here.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Florida
jccapri, thanks.
I thought you were talking about the transmission oil cooler in the radiator. Is this one for the engine oil and located elsewhere. (Sorry I'm so ignant on these engines, but surely appreciate the help).
As for the smoke, it's definitely not steam or water vapor. It has a distinct odor, and hangs thick in the air until a breeze blows it away.
I keep forgetting to consider engine oil as the culprit 'cause I've not used any and it looks just fine on the dipstick.
All comments appreciated.
I thought you were talking about the transmission oil cooler in the radiator. Is this one for the engine oil and located elsewhere. (Sorry I'm so ignant on these engines, but surely appreciate the help).
As for the smoke, it's definitely not steam or water vapor. It has a distinct odor, and hangs thick in the air until a breeze blows it away.
I keep forgetting to consider engine oil as the culprit 'cause I've not used any and it looks just fine on the dipstick.
All comments appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Curt,
Welcome to FTE.
This was the first time I posted pics, turns out it's pretty easy. I don't know how to put the pic right in the post, but can post a link to PhotoBucket.com It's a bit dicey getting through PB's hoops, but works pretty straight-forward once ya get it. Give it a try, others would like to see also.
Hope ya stick around, there are really good folks with lots of knowledge here.
Welcome to FTE.
This was the first time I posted pics, turns out it's pretty easy. I don't know how to put the pic right in the post, but can post a link to PhotoBucket.com It's a bit dicey getting through PB's hoops, but works pretty straight-forward once ya get it. Give it a try, others would like to see also.
Hope ya stick around, there are really good folks with lots of knowledge here.
Thanks for the welcome, and I plan on sticking around and bugging you guys for a long time!
I think I have the photo bucket thing going. Let's see if this works:
