Tiny Oil Bubbles in Coolant, 01 F150

[Scraps]

I've been peeking into my overflow reservoir and see from time to time some tiny, little brown bubbles. They certainly look like what could be motor oil. The truck is an 01, got 103k on in adn it's the 5.4l. I've flushed the radiator probably twice in the time I've owned this rig, each time using water wetter and usually flushing with an additive. I do plan on flushing and repalcing hoses soon, but has anyone else had this and should I worry.

Thanks.

 

[Jim 5]

Could be a head gasket or intake gasket, though I'm not familiar with architecture of that engine.

Most radiator shops have a device filled with a transparent chemical that they hold over your open radiator cap and allow the expanding gasses to bubble through. If you have a bead headgastket, the gasses released will turn the transparent chemical blue and you'll know you have hydrocarbons in the coolant which means bad headgasket.

Are you sure it's not just cooling system sludge (a mixture of rust and sludgy old coolant)?

 

[Scraps]

I think you may be right Jim, about the rad itself. Probably more likely it's coming from the radiator itself and may be a sign for me to do another flush. I have the additional cooling package for towing so there's a lot of cooling. The last flush I even went so far as to drain the block too - there are ports on either side to drain all of the fluid. Otherwise a flush only drains I think about half the fluid.

 

[JHZR2]

I had that in my old 83MB... At 238k when it was wrecked it still didn't burn oil, shifted perfectly and returned 28-29 MPG.

It used G05 chemistry like I'd assume your ford did. Nothing was wrong with my car, only testing can tell if anything is with yours...

 

[mechanicx]

Maybe it's the water wetter.

 

[JHZR2]

+1 to that - I used water wetter...

 

[Scraps]

Ya'll don't care for Water Wetter? I started using that a long time ago with little research. If not, what would a better alternative be for better cooling performance. I ask because I have that big radiator and do tow a 3500lb bass boat.

 

[widman]

Bubbles are normally from a blown head gasket, and entrance of exhaust gases through that gasket. Oil can also be from that.
I'd second Jim's suggestion. 2 tests, a pressure test to see if the system leaks pressure, and the hydrocarbon test. the second might cost you $50 because of the reactives used, but it's cheaper than rebuilding a 5.4 if not necessary, or ruining the bearings if coolant is getting into them.

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: Scraps
I've been peeking into my overflow reservoir and see from time to time some tiny, little brown bubbles. They certainly look like what could be motor oil. The truck is an 01, got 103k on in adn it's the 5.4l. I've flushed the radiator probably twice in the time I've owned this rig, each time using water wetter and usually flushing with an additive. I do plan on flushing and repalcing hoses soon, but has anyone else had this and should I worry.

Thanks.


My bet - it's the WaterWetter. I had something similar happen to me and if you open things up you'll find that brown stuff COATING some kinds of surfaces in the cooling system.

Get the WaterWetter out of there and perhaps run some RMI-25 if you can find some.

I had no WW trouble in a couple of vehicles until I ran it in G-48 and then it turned to goo. Google will find other accounts if you search.

 

[dparm]

I have run Water Wetter for years in almost every car my family owns and it has never been an issue. (Acura Integra, Infiniti G35, Infiniti I30, Honda S2000, Audi S4, VW Jetta)

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I have run Water Wetter for years in almost every car my family owns and it has never been an issue. (Acura Integra, Infiniti G35, Infiniti I30, Honda S2000, Audi S4, VW Jetta)


Same here, until I put it in G-48 (BMW coolant) and then there were issues. The type of coolant is what matters, not the car it's in.

I'm not a WW basher, but I experienced it myself and google confirms it isn't just me. The sooner the OP gets the WW out of there the less build up inside the cooling system he will have.

The little "bubbles" don't emulsify like oil, and when he starts to get bigger chunks of the stuff he'll find it's about like wheel bearing grease.

This thread from here has at least a couple of "me toos":

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1227800/

 

[onion]

Lots of people have experienced oily sludge with water-wetter.

It's just another snake-oil IMO. Possibly useful for race-only applications... but I'd never put it in a daily-driven vehicle.

 

[rslifkin]

Water Wetter is primarily intended for racing and other situations where you would otherwise be running 100% water, and want the corrosion protection, etc. For use in coolant, it's not needed. It works fine with some coolants, but causes sludge in others, as a few people above have experienced.