I have a 02 7.3 w/163k & upon doing a "once over" before going on a long trip I noticed a thin layer of oil on the top of coolant in overflow tank. I've done a little research-- oil cooler o-rings/gasket? head gasket? NEVER overheated or even close to it -- if I recall if it were a Inj o-ring it would be fuel not oil? Coolant looks good(not "milkshake" looking--engine oil is @ level @ in great condition. Dealer wants $100 to diag am I better off to pay this or start w/replacing oil cooler reseal? ANY HELP OR ADVICE MUCH APPRICIATED! Thx in advance.

 

99% of the time oil in the coolant is due to a leaking oil cooler o-ring. That was my problem when I noticed oil in my coolant. Just did an oil cooler R&R a couple of weeks and 3,000 miles ago and no sign of oil in the coolant. In my case I also had a trace of coolant in a used oil analysis.

 

Robin has you taken care of, but here is a link for you.

DieselOrings.com: Oil Cooler Kit

 

Damn. Why didn't I think of that link.

 

All that driving fast and following Jeff made you 98 years old

 

I fell asleep in my recliner right after we talked. 2 1/2 hiurs later I was down to 89. Woke up this morning 77. In a couple of days I will be back to a young 63.

Sorry toolfan. End of hijack, maybe.

 

Thx to those for a fast reply on my situation but would like this post to kind of stay "on topic" as I am set to take a VERY $$ cargo about 900 miles in 2 days (I work on cars for a living & I know its VERY hard to diag over the phone or comp.) just looking for some guidance to get me & cargo home w/little to no issues. So far it looks as if I have a oil cooler issue--it looks fairly easy to R&R for a reseal. @ this point I will prob take to dealer for diag just to verify(not sure what they do for $100) but w/little knowledge on diesels I need to start there(I THINK)!

 

Let us know what their diagnosis is. Our collective knowledge is 1000 times better then one diesel tech.

 

Is it oil or fuel, it may look like oil from the outside, but be sure its not fuel, if its fuel then you have injector cup issues. Just wanna help you cover your bases on this.

 

stuck my finger in the tank doesn't smell like fuel more like oil. Goes into dealer this morning--update with their diag later.

 

It is easy to do yourself. You will get hosed at the dealer

 

And that hose is about a foot in diameter and wrapped in fraying stainless steel braid. OOOOOOUCH!!!!!

 

Yep you guys were right. Went to the stealership today & without even writing it up the diesel tech looked in the coolant res. & said "yep its a bad oil cooler" Serv advisor said $1000 to repair. went back to my shop called on parts (YES I WENT OVERBOARD) got a oil cooler, reseal kit, & overflow tank for $329 & about 2 hrs later w/oil & coolant flush all is well again. O-rings were rock hard & the gasket @ oil filter housing had failed--didn't NEED to do the cooler itself but its my d.d. so I guess if its worth doing its worth overdoing! Anyway thx for the help!

 

it is sure a messy job huh! Glad you got it figured out.

 

$671.00 saved. Well worth the effort. Good work.