New Member Help!!! Head Gasket???

[sfisher71]

Hi Everyone,

Just finished putting my 04 6.0 diesel back together today. Replaced oil cooler and EGR cooler with a unit from Bulletproof diesel. This will be my 4th EGR cooler (105k miles). I am still getting oil mixed in with the coolant as I did before this repair. This is why I replaced the oil cooler in the first place. There is no coolant getting into the oil and I have no white smoke coming from exhaust. The truck runs great. Am I looking at head gaskets or is there some other problem. I am getting really frustrated with this truck.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Deerjager]

Welcome to the forum. You will certainly find somebody on here who will be able to help. Go to your user CP and fill out the signature line with all the pertinent information on your truck so that other members can offer help with asking for the details on your rig.

 

[DaveBen]

You can have the coolant "sniffed" at a good diesel shop. They can sniff if for exhaust gasses before you go and remove the heads to change the gaskets. If they detect exhaust gasses, you need to change the head gaskets. Put ARP Studs in if you do the gaskets. This will make the 6.0 almost bullet proof. Keep us informed.

Dave

 

[jpringle83]

Did you flush the cooling system after you put it back together. In one of the ford tsb's it states the cooling system must be flushed after an oil cooler failure to get all the oil out of the cooling system.

 

[sfisher71]

I have flushed it multiple times.

 

[jpringle83]

If you can find it read Ford TSB 8-23-11 on oil cooler failure flushing procedures. Restore and Restore Plus simply do not get the oil out of the cooling system. Several threads with mechanics have been using simple green the Ford TSB suggests using powdered dishwashing liquids. Also some have stated that heater core replacement is sometimes necessary since all the oil could not be removed from them. If you don't have white smoke, coolant loss, or coolant in your oil the head gaskets are not your issue. I'm betting you still have residual oil in your system.

 

[sfisher71]

Thanks Jpringle. I have been flushing for 2 straight days now. It does not seem to be lessening at all but I am going to keep at it. I have also spoken to a local diesel shop that told me basically the same thing. Residual oil in the system, keep flushing, add some 'purple power' to help cut the oil, etc. Eventually I should get most of it out of the cooling system. I am feeling a bit better about my repair. Thanks again!

 

[jpringle83]

Thanks Jpringle. I have been flushing for 2 straight days now. It does not seem to be lessening at all but I am going to keep at it. I have also spoken to a local diesel shop that told me basically the same thing. Residual oil in the system, keep flushing, add some 'purple power' to help cut the oil, etc. Eventually I should get most of it out of the cooling system. I am feeling a bit better about my repair. Thanks again!

Did you get it all out yet?

 

[sfisher71]

I put the truck back on the road and have been driving it everyday. When I get home I open the de-gas tank and there is oil floating on top of the water, (I am waiting to add coolant when I get all the oil out). I stick the hose nozzle in there and force the oil out until it is clear. There is less and less oil in there each day, but it is still working its way out. I have been flushing it like this for a week now.
If I attempt to drain from the bottom of the radiator all I get is clear water as the oil is lighter and floats to the top.
So again, I think I have made a successful repair, just gotta keep flushing. Eventually I'll get most of the oil out of the system.
Thanks again.

 

[02SilverStroke]

Welcome aboard. Sorry about your troubles with your PSD.