Is there a collective wisdom on my D250 automatic, 1991?

It has a small amount of oil in the coolant system. Part of me says just bit the bullet- but last coolant change 2 years a go it was similar level of oil. Do HG seep before failure?
Head gasket- do I need to do head studs? If so, for a stockish(sub 300hp) engine, what stud kits are the easiest to install and cheapest. I do have access to a mill if necessary.

Need suggestions to proceed.

Michael

 

Run the engine with the radiator cap off. If you see bubbles then it is very likely a head gasket. After it sits for a week or so check the trans dip stick for any white or gray goop on it. That would indicate water/coolant in the trans fluid.

 

Mr. Fusion, please check your PM's

 

How much is a "small amount".

If it hasn't changed in two years it seems minor to me but I'm no expert. And there is still the fact that there is oil in the coolant and where did it come from? Nothing else is contaminated? Like MrFusion hinted at in the trans or engine oil?

I wanted to do studs when I did my head gasket but ran out of money and just reused my bolts after checking for stretch. Been ok since but would be a nice bit of insurance. I always like to fix the next weakest link when I can afford it. Pay now or pay later is always in the back of my mind...

 

You decide on head studs, ARP studs are hard to beat.

 

Run the engine with the radiator cap off. If you see bubbles then it is very likely a head gasket. After it sits for a week or so check the trans dip stick for any white or gray goop on it. That would indicate water/coolant in the trans fluid.

The goop is under the radiator cap flange on the radiator- I'd say a few table spoons. Coolant isn't a milk shake. Trans is doesn't have water. I guess I can wash it out with some soap and wait.

Can a oil analysis place tell me if it's engine oil ? I noticed at the parts store they sell water soluble oil for the radiator?? Is it possible someone added some "water pump" Lubricant?

 

Yes, on the oil analysis. Call Blackstone labs tomorrow at (260)744-2380 and ask them for a free sampling kit- should be at your door by Thursday. The $28 test will tell all.
You can request a case of the sampling kits, and they'll send you a 4 pack for free. You can test all your fluids if need be. I try and do both an oil and ATF analysis religiously once a year, just so I'm on top of things. $56 is a worthwhile investment, just to know how the major components are doing.

 

What Bigragu said about Blackstone Labs. I've used their services several times and will continue to use them.


Goop on the radiator cap indicates oil in the coolant. Similarly, goop on the oil or trans dipstick indicates water in the oil or ATF. If you're not seeing goop on either dipstick then water/coolant is probably not getting in to the oil or ATF. Oil does seem to be getting into the coolant so it could be a couple of things: head gasket or a pin hole in the oil cooler on the side of the block come to mind.


Generally the oil is more pressurized than the coolant system but the coolant system stays pressurized when you shut off the engine while it's hot and there is no oil pressure. The side with more pressure is generally going to contaminate the other side. For instance if you have a pinhole in the engine oil cooler the oil system may have enough pressure to push a little oil into the cooling system but the cooling system will not have enough pressure to contaminate the oil while the engine is running and may not have enough pressure even when it isn't. Also consider that when the engine oil gets hot it can evaporate off coolant/water contamination but the cooling system cannot evaporate oil.