Milky coolant Possible causes?
06-18-2018, 12:41 PM
#1
Milky coolant Possible causes?
2001 F150 V6 4.2 180K
I know the first thing that comes to mind is a blown head gasket. Heres my symptoms..
-Milky Coolant, did not appear oily but looked like a light tan/beige color
-Oil leak-not sure if there are multiple oil leaks-back of passenger valve cover appears to be leaking pretty bad, the whole area under it is caked in oil, for the last year there has been a build up of oil that drips down near the oil pan. Every time I park there will be a small puddle say 2 inches in diameter on the ground.
-No over heating
-No white smoke
-Engine oil appears to be coolant free
-Oil cap looks good
Lask week after a 20 minute drive I parked and saw coolant leaking. It appeared to be leaking from the water pump. I am doing a teardown documented in another thread in this section. I am not planning on replacing the head gaskets at this point.
So my question is what other than a blown head gasket would cause my coolant to turn this milky color...when the water pump gasket breaks can oil somehow get mixed into the coolant? Any suggestions, ideas?
I know the first thing that comes to mind is a blown head gasket. Heres my symptoms..
-Milky Coolant, did not appear oily but looked like a light tan/beige color
-Oil leak-not sure if there are multiple oil leaks-back of passenger valve cover appears to be leaking pretty bad, the whole area under it is caked in oil, for the last year there has been a build up of oil that drips down near the oil pan. Every time I park there will be a small puddle say 2 inches in diameter on the ground.
-No over heating
-No white smoke
-Engine oil appears to be coolant free
-Oil cap looks good
Lask week after a 20 minute drive I parked and saw coolant leaking. It appeared to be leaking from the water pump. I am doing a teardown documented in another thread in this section. I am not planning on replacing the head gaskets at this point.
So my question is what other than a blown head gasket would cause my coolant to turn this milky color...when the water pump gasket breaks can oil somehow get mixed into the coolant? Any suggestions, ideas?
Last edited by Stang0ne50; 06-18-2018 at 12:45 PM.
06-18-2018, 12:53 PM
#2
Senior Member
Have you or do you do a lot of short trips? Not getting the engine completely up to operating temp and hot enough to burn off excess moisture can give you that issue as well. Constant short trips are not good for this engine
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Stang0ne50 (06-18-2018)
06-18-2018, 01:20 PM
#3
Yea I only drive it once a day usually to run to the store or something. I know the coolant hasnt been changed in at least 6 years. But Im not sure how long it has been this color.
06-18-2018, 01:43 PM
#4
Senior Member
2100, does that happen on the 4.2 as well? I know it's 4.6 / 5.4 issue.... didn't know the 4.2 did it too.
06-18-2018, 04:58 PM
#5
I agree, but his concern was the milky film is in the coolant and not the engine oiI. I do get the milky film on my 5.4 on the underside of the oil filler cap but not the coolant. Or can they happen on both?
06-19-2018, 01:46 AM
#7
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06-19-2018, 09:26 AM
#8
06-19-2018, 10:36 AM
#9
06-19-2018, 10:42 AM
#10
Senior Member
Do you have an automatic transmission? If so, check your trans fluid.... possible ATF/Coolant contamination here too.
The following 2 users liked this post by white89gt:
john ligere (04-04-2021),
Stang0ne50 (06-19-2018)