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Is this oil in my radiator?

  • Thread starter Thread starter opihinalu
  • Start date Start date May 19, 2021
  • Tags Tags
    foxbody head gasket oil leak

opihinalu

Active Member
Feb 10, 2021
180
19
28
Florida
May 19, 2021
#1
  • May 19, 2021
  • #1
Car overheated yesterday and I opened up the radiator a few minutes ago and found brown sludge. Is this oil? If so whats wrong? Cracked head gasket?
 

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,993
3,500
184
Mililani, Hawaii
May 19, 2021
#2
  • May 19, 2021
  • #2
Looks like corrosion to me. This happens when people run regular tap water in their radiator. Flush the radiator and cooling system completely and refill with distilled water and anti freeze/coolant.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,926
10,572
203
polk county florida
May 19, 2021
#3
  • May 19, 2021
  • #3
That's just rusty crud
 

KRUISR

10 Year Member
Apr 16, 2015
1,817
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143
May 19, 2021
#4
  • May 19, 2021
  • #4
Comes from the coolant passages in the block. We have 30+ year old engine blocks that are cast iron. Unless flushed with regularity, this is the norm.
 

opihinalu

Active Member
Feb 10, 2021
180
19
28
Florida
May 19, 2021
#5
  • May 19, 2021
  • #5
Mstng93SSP said:
Looks like corrosion to me. This happens when people run regular tap water in their radiator. Flush the radiator and cooling system completely and refill with distilled water and anti freeze/coolant.
Click to expand...
General karthief said:
That's just rusty crud
Click to expand...
KRUISR said:
Comes from the coolant passages in the block. We have 30+ year old engine blocks that are cast iron. Unless flushed with regularity, this is the norm.
Click to expand...
Thank god. This is my daily so i would be in trouble
 
Reactions: Mstng93SSP

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
May 19, 2021
#6
  • May 19, 2021
  • #6
On a 4.6, either the oil filter adapter seal leaked or the quick lube got the PS fluid and coolant tank confused. It did not look like that, but was a mess. The tanks are clearly marked now.
 
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