Member Since: 23 Apr 2019
Location: Swadlincote
Posts: 126
V8 coolant worry - head gasket??
Hi
I have a 2005 4.4 v8, 92k miles, with a potential coolant issue.
When I start it from cold it can take 2 /3 mins to be up to temperature on the gauge and it sits there no worries.
The coolant was low today so topped it up and after running it had gone from the pink colour to a dark brown colour. Obvs I only put about 1/2 litre in so the majority will have been in there previously. It wasn’t changed or mentioned at a service 1000 miles ago.
The passenger side of the heater ( front and back) is cold but assume this to be the blend motor.
When it runs from cold and it’s damp in the air I get a lot of white out of the exhaust and today got left with 2 wet patches on the drive where it was running to sort a suspension issue out.
I am just going to get it booked in for a check but just pondering.
Does this sound like a head gasket or just a water pump / leak issue?
Is there anything I can do to check in the mean time?
Pic below is of the water marks after ticking over for 10 mins.
Click image to enlarge
Thanks
Baz
2nd Nov 2024 4:51 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6748
Passenger side heater CAN be blend motor but more likely it'll be the heater core.
I think we can conclude that oil and coolant mix somewhere. The water pump does not pass oil through it, however, but the engine oil cooler does.
2nd Nov 2024 8:13 pm
Baz31
Member Since: 23 Apr 2019
Location: Swadlincote
Posts: 126
Thanks, will get them to check that, is there an easy way to diagnose the oil cooler?
With the heater core is that a flush or replacement? Thinking if the coolant is going to come out for the potential oil cooler then should plan the heater at the same time.
Off to Google!
2nd Nov 2024 8:18 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6748
Some people have succeeded somewhat by flushing. I did not. Straight up replacement is the best of course. It’s supposed to be easier on the RHD than the LHD. If you need a brand, the original is Nissens.
I have thought that oil in the coolant indicates likelihood of cooler while coolant in the oil indicates gasket. I’m just a master YouTube mechanic so you might take that with a grain of salt. (Ask your real mechanic)
2nd Nov 2024 8:38 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10674
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