I have a 2000 f250 super duty with 180,000 miles, I noticed that my antifreeze looked a little cloudy a few weeks ago, I figured I would flush it for winter and it should not be an issue. I bought the truck about 2 months ago and have not had time with my new business to get it tuned correctly and looked over. Last week the oil pressure kept dropping when I stopped, so I checked the oil. The oil was way low, it didn't occur to me at the time, but the oil went some where. I believe (figure) it was slowly leaching through a crack or gasket in the oil cooler...I added oil, because it didn't occur to me at the time,I just bought it ,I figured it might be burning some oil at that mileage. So...
because, it never got hot, it did not blow a bunch of white smoke and it still runs ( I haven't run it ) what it did was die a couple of times while I was trying to park it and when I finally got er done, about a cup or 2 of rootbeer mayo came out the the top of my antifreeze reservoir. I figure that was when the oil cooler blew and the pressure sent the oil into the antifreeze reservoir. There wasn't eve any steam or smoke coming from anywhere when I opened the hood, just the overflowed anyifreeze tank. So my question is.? How hard it is to blow a head gasket without getting the engine hot and no signs of other trouble. ? Am I on the right path ?

 

What does the oil in the crankcase look like, normal or milky looking?

 

I backed the plug out, haven't released it, it is oil. Only oil, no antifreeze no water.
thank you for replying

 

In that case it sounds more like a blown head gasket. You would need to do a compression or leak down test to confirm.

 

Really, Even with No water or antifreeze in the crankca. Hmm, so 3000$, bummer, I just bought the truck for 3000$

 

Had a mobile mechanic look at it with me and we decided that it is 99% the oil cooler. I'll start there. Thanks

 

Good idea, fingers crossed.

 

Thanks man. Hoping for the best. Ill post however it goes for reference. I figure.

 

Oil cooler is an easy repair, especially compared to a head gasket. Try that first for sure.

 

Replaced the oil cooler, that was easy... the difficult part is getting the oil/antifreeze mix out of the system. I could have and maybe should have taken the radiator off and the expansion tank and cleaned them out. Next time...I will simply keep flushing it until it is clean. Anyone know about cold start rough, slow idle...maybe fuel filter?! Vacuum lines look fine.

 

Check your IAC sensor behing the throttle body they get gummed up with crud and dont allow the engine to idle right cold or hot.