Last month, when I had my oil changed on my 2007 F150 and the mechanic tested my coolant and said it needed more antifreeze. Two weeks later I added what I thought was antifreeze (was in an antifreeze bottle) and then last week I went to check on the levels and the overflow reservoir oozed out pink/grey goo when I opened it. I checked the oil and tranny dipsticks and neither were cloudy nor seemed "off" in any way. I'm not a mechanic but I "tinker" and can generally fix minor problems and change the oil. I just drained my coolant system and am in the process of cleaning the overflow reservoir.
Ultimately, I can only think of 2 reasons the coolant oozed this foreign goop; either oil or ATF are mixing with the radiator fluid. Because of the pinkish color, I first thought it was tranny fluid, my truck is supposed to use red ATF.
Unfortunately, when I bought the truck a year ago, my tranny needed to be fixed 2 weeks later. The mechanic who fixed it put clear ATF into it. Since I know from experience, as well as reading and watching "Youtube" (LOL), changing the tranny fluid can cause a whole lotta problems. My questions are these:

1. Is there anything on the market I can add to the ATF to help seal any minor cracks/leaks in the tranny line?
2. Can I combine red to the clear ATF (do they "clash") to top it up?
3. Do I have to flush the clear ATF & replace it with the red? Or
4. Do I just continue using the clear to top up?
5. If motor oil getting into the coolant system, is it always a head gasket or could it be something else?
6. If it's something else, is there a way to check and/or fix the problem?

I paid a LOT more money than I should have for this truck and I can't afford to replace it. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!. Thanks for your kind attention.
dlmorrissey

 

Motor oil can get into coolant in a number of places, transmission fluid from a few places. A fix in a bottle probably won't help much, and if it does, it won't be for long.

The folks that know about this sort of thing don't usually visit the "New Member Introductions" forum. Your best bet would be to ask the same question over in the "2004 - 2008 F150" forum. Someone will be able to help you there.

Be sure to include more detail on what the "clear ATF" really is, like manufacturer and specifications it is certified for.

Welcome aboard!