Oil In Radiator Fluid

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Wounded XJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Rimrock, AZ

• Jan 11, 2008

• #1

I purchased a new XJ to replace the one a totaled in Moab. While checking the fluids I noticed oil in the radiator fluid. I checked the engine oil multiple times and it is clean. The jeep is not overheating, but I have not operated it on the road. I have looked up the problem, but did not find anyone having the same problem with a XJ. I found a few sites out there were people were having this problem in other vehicles and this is what I found. I have a cracked head, bad head gasket, cracked block or the transmission cooler in the radiator has gone bad. Any one out experience this with their XJ and if so what ended up to be the problem?

 

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Slo-Sho

NAXJA Forum User

Location

The 2nd most regulated state.

• Jan 12, 2008

• #2

Check the trans fluid. The core in the radiator may have gone bad.

 

ehall

NAXJA Member

NAXJA Member

Location

Southern Maryland

• Jan 12, 2008

• #3

Go to your local mass-market auto supply store and buy a coolant test kit. It'll look like something for basting turkeys. Should only be $20 or less.

 

RyanM

NAXJA Forum User

Location

va

• Jan 12, 2008

• #4

All the jeeps ive seen with old coolant gets that build up in the bottom of overflow...

 

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Wounded XJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Rimrock, AZ

• Jan 12, 2008

• #5

I pulled the head off and everything looks great with the naked eye. I think this engine has been rebuilt as the jeep has 170k on it and it is in great shape. I will run the head down to a machinist next week, but I think the problem is with the cooling system. The fluid in the bottom of the radiator is black, dark brown, and light brown.

 

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Wounded XJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Rimrock, AZ

• Jan 12, 2008

• #6

While the greatest amount was at the bottom of the radiator I saw small amounts of this when I was draining the fluid.

 

beakie

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Ontario, Canada

• Jan 12, 2008

• #7

looks like old rad fluid sludge. put a drop into some water, look for rainbow maybe.
seems more like sludge, crud from old rad, never had a flush done.

 

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Bored400

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Grand Junction, CO

• Jan 12, 2008

• #8

as long as your crankcase doesnt have antifreeze in it, then your head should be good. Flush the rad and your heater core.

 

UNCC_99XJ

Twisted Up

NAXJA Member

Location

Harrisburg, NC

• Jan 12, 2008

• #9

As mentioned it's pretty common for that sludge to form in the bottom of the overflow tank if the coolant is real old.

One other possibility is that the previous owner added some of that stop leak crap at one point or another.

 

ehall

NAXJA Member

NAXJA Member

Location

Southern Maryland

• Jan 12, 2008

• #10

That looks like radiator rust to me. Anti-freeze has a rust inhibitor in it that breaks down over time (the main reason why it needs to be replaced somewhat often). I would just giv that a good flushing with Prestone flush and some distilled water, then refill with 50/50 premix. You can usually get distilled water at the grocer in 2.5 or 5 gallon jugs btw.

 

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Wounded XJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Rimrock, AZ

• Jan 13, 2008

• #11

Thanks for all the info everyone. I'm cleaning everything up since the person I bought it from did not put any bolt in the valve cover and oil is everywhere. Once my new header comes in I will put it all back together and flush out the radiator. I give an update once it is back together.