oil in radiator

rkaylor

New User
I just purchased a farmall b, and noticed a very small of oil floating on top on the radiator. Any ideas?
 
Oil can get into the coolant in two ways a crack between the oil passages/galery, and the water jacket (head or block), and the head gasket where the oil passage to the
head/upper valve train connect near the center of the head. were it mine, I would use a paper towel corner, and touch the oil to absorb it out as best as I could.
several touches and dry edges may be needed. Then I would watch for more getting in the system. If more, I would pull the head. Jim
 
Jim, third way is contamination. I'd bet in the last 60 or 70 years the engine has had overhaul jobs, valve jobs, hoses replaced, radiator repairs that the coolant was drained in to containers and reused and these containers and funnels were perfectly clean before doing same. My take on this is monitor it and if oil increases then start with combustion gas check with test kit.
 
Good idea about contamination, people oil the strangest things, and use containers of dubious origin. Combustion gasses might be present, but not necessary because the leak can be between oil passages and coolant leaving the cylinders sealed. Jim
 
Also some folks get caught up in the idea that a engine needs water pump lube. I suspect you can still buy it. I could always tell when working on a car that someone blessed with a can of that magic. The top radiator hose would be a soft and would swell up under pressure. Yep, a little more lube in there then really needed and then there are always the folks that practice...if one is good two must be better..
 
I find the oil contamination thing sort of humorous. As we use the same funnels for everything oil fuel antifreeze so we could get some oil in a radiator that way I suppose. I have seen small amounts of oil film in radiators for years on all types of engines,even ones not owned by us previously.
So I guess I would not worry about just a film of oil there if it is more than that then cause for concern could be warranted. From gaskets to cracks will/can cause it.
 

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