rpuddles99

I am new to diesels. I have two 92 D250's. The second one i bought for $500 because there is a little oil in the antifreeze and the guy assumed it was a head gasket. There is no antifreeze in the oil. No steam coming out of the tail pipe. No exhaust burping out of the radiator. Just doesn't sound like a head gasket. The truck runs great. Doesn't over heat or anything. I am going to change the oil cooler gaskets and was wondering if i should change the oil cooler it self. Was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Thanks for the help...

Ace

Yep, seems not uncommon for these oil coolers to eventually let go, symptoms just like you describe. I don't think the cooler gasket or the head gasket has anything do with the oily anti-freeze, but gotta take the cooler out to get the gasket anyway, so just pressure test the cooler then. Depending on mileage, I'd probably just replace it anyway. Don't forget to run several cycles of cleaning the cooling system after the repair to get the oil and emulsified gunk out of there.

rpuddles99

Thanks I didn't think it sounded like a head gasket either. I am going to change the gaskets and check cooler. thanks.......

woodrat

I pressure tested my cooler in a bucket of water with 60PSI of air put to it. Don't go over 70 PSI according to the Cummins book. Mine didn't leak at lower pressures but had a steady stream of bubbles starting at about 40-50PSI.

go for a new cooler, I put a used one in and had to replace it right away, not from leaks, but because the pitted surface wouldn't seal at the gasket.