I already posted this in the oil forum but didin't get any feedback. Is is common for the inline six to drink a little coolant? I have heard that it is, but am looking for more opinions. I don't drive it much anymore. Mostly for hauling or driving in the fields. I usually change the oil at 3000 or 6 months, but changed this early since it was jet black, never looked like that before, and I was going on a long trip towing the boat. I am concerned about the antifreeze. I do notice that it looses a little. I thought that it was leaking, but I never smelled it. I can drive on the highway up north and don't loose any, but short trips and it goes down. I add around a pint every few months so it isn't much. I suppose it is the head gasket? I will do a pressure check.


I am positive I did not contaminate the sample. I guess that is not good.
I am driving it on a trip with the canoe in a week. Anyone think that would be a problem? Also, would this cause pinging. I drove up north with the boat right after I changed it and had to use premium gas so it wouldn't ping.

Model: 1990 F150
Miles on Oil: 1475 (5 months)
Miles on Unit: 146,000
oil filter: Wix
Air filter: Wix

We've put a "?" in the anti-freeze field, but unless your oil sample could have gotten contaminated outside the engine, we think the potassium and sodium show minor anti-freeze in the oil, seeping from the cooling system. Your oil wasn't in use many miles and wear was low. Aluminum though, was higher than expected compared to the levels for the other wear elements. Aluminum
normally comes from pistons so the coolant seep may be at the upper cylinder area of the engine. Suggest a cooling system pressure check. Note fuel dilution too.

ALUMINUM--4
CHROMIUM--2
IRON--8
COPPER--3
LEAD--4
TIN--0
MOLYBDENUM--5
NICKEL--0
MANGANESE--0
SILVER--0
TITANIUM--0
POTASSIUM--81
BORON--10
SILICON--13
SODIUM--20
CALCIUM--2217
MAGNESIUM--40
PHOSPHORUS--852
ZINC--985
BARIUM--1

Fuel--2.0
H20---0
Glycol--?
SUS VIS @210F 56.8
Insoulubles--0.3