• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Engine 302 oil leak when running

  • Thread starter Thread starter AlexM556
  • Start date Start date Sep 8, 2026
Prev
  • 1
  • 2
First Prev 2 of 2

horse sence

15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
12,457
8,426
233
Wile Coyote's stunt double
Yesterday at 6:28 PM
#21
  • Yesterday at 6:28 PM
  • #21
Valve cover bolts do not enter any coolant passage ,may be leaking from the end of the intake and running around the valve cover but I am not sure that is possible .
 
Reactions: DadLife0724

DadLife0724

Advanced Member
Mar 22, 2024
415
277
73
Cooperstown, PA
Yesterday at 6:48 PM
#22
  • Yesterday at 6:48 PM
  • #22
Your finding coolant and oil now? That's not good man.
 
A

AlexM556

Member
Sep 8, 2026
11
3
13
North little rock, AR
Yesterday at 9:15 PM
#23
  • Yesterday at 9:15 PM
  • #23
I pulled the valve cover and took the radiator cap off to compare the fluids and they are both green, but visibly different shades of green. The fluid under the valve cover still feels and smells like oil and the fluid in the radiator still feels and smells like coolant which is weird but I guess this just means it didnt have enough time to completely mix during the couple minutes it was running today. On the bright side, I figured out part of the problem: the previous owner had put the wrong dipstick in it and that was why the oil level was reading wrong. I got the correct one and it now shows full with 5 quarts as it should so at least that part is solved. No idea why or how coolant is mixing with oil all of a sudden though.
 

DadLife0724

Advanced Member
Mar 22, 2024
415
277
73
Cooperstown, PA
Today at 6:08 AM
#24
  • Today at 6:08 AM
  • #24
AlexM556 said:
I pulled the valve cover and took the radiator cap off to compare the fluids and they are both green, but visibly different shades of green. The fluid under the valve cover still feels and smells like oil and the fluid in the radiator still feels and smells like coolant which is weird but I guess this just means it didnt have enough time to completely mix during the couple minutes it was running today. On the bright side, I figured out part of the problem: the previous owner had put the wrong dipstick in it and that was why the oil level was reading wrong. I got the correct one and it now shows full with 5 quarts as it should so at least that part is solved. No idea why or how coolant is mixing with oil all of a sudden though.
Click to expand...
For your sake, I hope they aren't mixing. You got something goofy going on somewhere. I'd say run it more and get it hotter to see if you find more coolant, but it seems you can't do that without damn near starting a fire. I'd keep after that oil leak and pretend the coolant thing isn't a thing right now. Once you get the oil buttoned up, then turn to the coolant issue if you are still finding it.
 
Prev
  • 1
  • 2
First Prev 2 of 2
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
Edelbrock 1405 Setup
  • nathantaylor200
  • Nov 4, 2025
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Replies
3
Views
309
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Nov 5, 2025
nathantaylor200
N
Who the hell puts the wrong spark plugs in a 3.8L?
  • snowstang
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
564
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 3, 2026
LILCBRA
O
Sooty/Oily Front Engine & Pulleys
  • ozenator
  • Jun 15, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
415
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 22, 2026
Blackhawkxx
M
Help! 2003 GT misfire when hot
  • Modular03
  • Feb 10, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
519
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Feb 13, 2026
Mustang5L5
Engine New Oil Leak Help.
  • Slo5Oh89
  • Mar 14, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
697
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 19, 2025
Slo5Oh89
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?