how bad is...

[georgeramos]

A little bit of oil in the cooling system. Im a f...ing moron and grabbed an old coolant jug that i had filled with oil...and put a couple of ounces into my radiator before i noticed...

I flushed it immediately and my funnel filler lets it float out to the top but...what a boob

[DieselSpider]

A little bit of oil in the cooling system. Im a f...ing moron and grabbed an old coolant jug that i had filled with oil...and put a couple of ounces into my radiator before i noticed...

I flushed it immediately and my funnel filler lets it float out to the top but...what a boob

Can create a thermal layer in the cooling system with reduced cooling efficiency. If you notice a temperature increase you may need to flush the system with some white vinegar or some non-sudsing degreaser. Really depends on how low the system was. If it had not migrated to the block and you were able to float the majority of it out before starting it your probably OK. Are you noticing any greying or soapiness in the coolant?

[bradartigue]

Here's how I look at it - it isn't a problem until it is one. You can't do much about it beyond what you did, and you likely did enough to make it right. In a few weeks pop the radiator cap, if it is foamy then get some cooling system flush and flush it really well.

[georgeramos]

Thanks guys. The system was full. Just a few oz and they stayed floating at the top of the rad cap. I flushed the rad which in hindsight was a mistake but the funnel locked onbthere and overfilled really let it separate out. I did that 3 times until it looked like clean coolant in the neck. Ill keep an eye on it

[TX82FIAT]

I think you are going to be fine with the flush. Last time I blew the head gasket and oil entered into the coolant, flushing the system with water then coolant worked just fine.

[DieselSpider]

You only need to use a cleaner/degreaser if it lathers and forms a soapy layer. A white vinegar mix is the old tried and true flush for general cleaning especially if you have evidence of lime scale from previous owners using tap water in the cooling system just like when cleaning a coffee maker. Your supposed to flush and refill with fresh coolant every 2 years anyway unless you convert to Evans Permanent Coolant so if your close to 24 months since you last changed the coolant and inadvertently add waste oil to the radiator then its simply time for a flush and refill anyways.

I mark containers I use for waste oil to help prevent this as other family members may not realize that the antifreeze or perish the thought, liquid laundry detergent bottle contains waste oil until its too late. Don't want the wife accidentally pouring waste oil into the washing machine as you'll never live that one down.

[georgeramos]

Early results are as always...overheats. I pressurized the syatem to 17lbs with the stant tester. Is that enough to veeify no leak? Could heat and load change this result?

[MrWampus]

Does the cooling fan ever come on? Could be a bad thermal switch or could just be a bad connection between the switch and fan. How rapidly does it heat up? Is it the usual 5-8 minutes running idle, or faster than that? Is this a sudden issue or have you done work on the cooling system lately?

[georgeramos]

The system seems to be operating correctly. The lower radiator and lower hose are hot. This says the thermostat isbopening right?

The fan was hard wired but i disconnected it until i was just below operating temp then re connected it so i have fan power. It is supposed to be pulling not pushing right? Is it possible to wire it incorrectly so its running in reverse? I ask because i pulled the radiator and diaconnected the wires but didnt note which went where...

[aj81spider]

It is possible to wire it in reverse and the fan will run the wrong way. Mine is connectorized, so when I disconnect it it reconnects the same way. However when rebuilding the fan I put the leads back in the wrong way and the fan ran backwards.

It should be pulling air through the radiator as if the car were moving.

[georgeramos]

Thanks AJ. I pressurized the system again up to 17lbs and noticed a leak at the water pump hose. The angle of the bend is tweaked so need to re drain.