Okay guys, from what I've read, y'all really know your stuff. And I need some good sound advice. Here's my challenges:

I have a 1981 F-150. I am only the second owner and the truck has less than 99,000 miles.

Prior to discovering the following my problems, the truck has run okay. Previous problems were minimal: Slightly sluggish pulling mountains and hills. Sometimes wanting to stall out when first started. Poor gas mileage. Not wanted to start when parked on a hill where front end is higher than rear.

Recent Discoveries/Problems:
1. When I went to check my oil, I was amazed! The oil was thick and milk chocolate in color. And was full of soft, mushy debris. Also has a faint odor of gasoline to it. (Oil and filter was just changed less than 200 miles ago) When the dipstick is cleaned, reinserted and pulled back out, the entire stick is covered with this thick chunky goo. It doesnt even resemble the color or texture of oil.
2. Radiator is losing 1/2 gallon of water each time I fill it. Appears to be leaking somewhere around the front of the engine. Even leaks water when I fill it and the engine isnt on!! Small steady drops until it loses the typical amount of 1/2 gallon. (Radiator was recently flushed and filled...the same time as the oil was changed) Overflow resevoir constantly stays empty with the same type of residue in the bottom as whats in my oil....or so it appears. Same color and texture, though I dont smell the gasoline (Ithink). People have told me in the past, that the residue in the overflow resevoir was rust. Though when I wiped it onto my rag, it appeared to be same color and texture as the oil smudges.
3. My engine and most areas surrounding it are filthy with oil and coolant splatters and spills. Therefore, it is hard to determine or eyeball what may be happening. This is recent as well.

As I stated, truck was running not too bad prior to my noticing the bad oil. I had been topping off the radiator before I ran it, and just assumed there was a small leak or a loose hose, since all my hosed are recently replaced.

I've even been taking my truck into the mountains and hauling my firewood in it! So it hasnt run bad at all...even when loaded down with wood!!

Please, please, please....I'm a single gal, in a small town with a limited budget that needs quality advice here. I would like to trouble-shoot first, ascertain whats wrong, and then pursue my options for remedy. Thanks to all of you who will take the time to assist me. It will be very much appreciated!!!

Kim

 

Welcome to FTE >Single gal !

The first thing I would check would be the weep hole on the water pump.
This requires you to lay under the truck and with a light look for brown stained water leaks from the water pump.

1)Now, Does the oil level in the crankcase get higher with this coolant fluid loss?

2)I would suggest removing the oil filter and having a mechanic inspect it.

3)Has there ever been an additive made to either the coolant or engine oil?

Start with this and get back to us.

Dennis

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Sounds like it could be a couple of things:
1. water pump leak...either from weep hole as stated above by Dennis. Or the water pump bearings are starting to fail. With the engine OFF, grab tip of fan blade and push/pull...if movement is more than 1/8 inch the front pump bearing and seals are failing.

2. Head gasket leak or crack in head or block allowing oil into water. This is the most likley reason for having goo in oil (a leaking water pump wouldn't contaminate the oil). Take to a reliable mechanic and have them pressure test block and radiator.

3. Weeping soft-plug, good possibility for engine over ten years old but would not account for oil contamination.

Good luck, Deen

 

A blown head gasket would account for the contaminated oil and could lead to serious damage if not replaced and the engine cleaned properly.


The leaking coolant I would agree sounds like a weep hole in the front lower portion of the water pump.
Water pumps are pretty inexpensive.
I doubt that is the only problem.I would suggest the you either pull the head & check for Warpage & replace the gaskets or take it to a reputable shop for dis-assembly and service.





Upper Case edited out & corrected spelling for future searches regarding this problem ,done by Administration.

Please refrain from the use of upper case

 

the intake manifold gaskets could be leaking antifreez to the outside or the inside of the engine. or the timing cover. other ideas posted are good too

 

Good answer.
Welcome to the club!
One small note of netiquette:
Please don't post in all caps.

It's hard to read and is considered yelling. Thanks!

 

I know this post is kind of old but you forgot one other item that could be leaking fluid into the block. The timing covers are sometimes casted with thin walls. If this is the case you could be pulling your engine apart for nothing. Best word of advice is to remove the water pump from the front cover and look for coolant stains on the center of the timing cover. If you have these chances are that the timing cover is bad. I pulled my 460 apart for a rebuild and found this on mine. Just didn't break all the way through when I found mine. Easier to do that then to pull the heads and ship them for no apparent reason.