Usually I search the Forum before asking, usually find the answer.  Breaking protocol this time and asking first - small panic.

 

1995 12 valve 5 speed, 576k miles.

 

On the way home from work last night, noted temp guage a little higher than typical, not high but not where it sits normally.

 

This morning, found radiator cooland about 1-2" lower than filler neck, some oily-looking emulsion in it.  Immediately thought "head gasket!"

 

Oil level on dipstick a little low - half quart or so, only ~1,500 miles since last oil change.  No sign of coolant / bubbles on dipstick.

 

Pressure tested radiator, holds pressure.  Radiator cap does not - it is bad.

 

Ashamed here... if it were 10-15 years ago my brain would be less rotten and I'd know what was wrong, or what the next test would be to do, or how to proceed.

 

Unfortunately the only thing I can think of is a cylinder leakdown test and I 1) dont have the gauges and 2) don't know how to do it on a diesel.

 

Maybe I should leave the cap off, start the engine, and look for bubbles in the coolant as it flows by the neck?

 

Any of y'all want to point me in the right direction?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Another story about an owner that can't believe   his truck can go so long.   I went thru that for awhile. I used to listen for what I thought was a change in noise if there was any....... Oh I think I never heard that one before etc.   But the truck keeps on going strong ,  still likes to be worked once in awhile. Amazing engine.

 

 

Glad you got it fixed

Thank you again!

 

It has been ~250 miles since changing the oil cooler and every time I get home, I let the truck cool off and then open the radiator cap.  All I see is green coolant.  I flushed the plastic overflow tank - took it off and washed it with dish soap, rinsed it good.  No more oil in the coolant.

 

Anyway I just want to convey my thanks and appreciation for both the technical advice and the "emotional" support - I was really upset!

 

The truck is fixed and even if I look for a "backup" vehicle I'm hanging onto the truck.  In 2018-19 or whenever they run me off from work, I'll take the time to sand and prime it, and take it so a guy I know (who does good body work and paint) for the color coat.  Or maybe not - maybe I'll just keep driving it...

 

Regards,

Andrew

BobCat - I go through your 'jump-to-the-worst-case' thinking ALL the time, just a natural inclination to expect disaster, I think, but like you, only when it's MY stuff I'm diagnosing.  When I was 18 and felt the clutch slipping, I *knew* it was oil from the main seal getting into the pressure-plate...couldn't have been just the slave-cylinder hanging up, right?  I'd pulled the engine at least once chasing the oil-leak diagnosis before someone asked me about the condition of my clutch hydraulics...

 

There's probably a specialty drug for this.

 

- Dave