oil in coolant 1998 - head gasket?

[brianm_14]

Windstar 3.0 1998 with 180,000 miles. For the past few months I have been noting a slow loss of coolant from the overflow tank - but no change in the exhaust or other problems. A month ago, I flushed and changed the coolant. A few days ago, I found a slick ((1/2 ich) of oil floating on the coolant in the overflow tank. I cleaned it out, added more coolant, and haven't seen any oil since then.

Signs of head gasket problems? Or is there a chance it is a less serious problem? Any remedies? Anything I should check out?

I am thinking of trading in this beast for the best deal I can get, or trying a private slae. - power windows won't work, front blower won't blow, and hihg mileage.

Thanks!

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by brianm_14

Windstar 3.0 1998 with 180,000 miles. For the past few months I have been noting a slow loss of coolant from the overflow tank - but no change in the exhaust or other problems. A month ago, I flushed and changed the coolant. A few days ago, I found a slick ((1/2 ich) of oil floating on the coolant in the overflow tank. I cleaned it out, added more coolant, and haven't seen any oil since then.

Signs of head gasket problems? Or is there a chance it is a less serious problem? Any remedies? Anything I should check out?

I am thinking of trading in this beast for the best deal I can get, or trying a private slae. - power windows won't work, front blower won't blow, and hihg mileage.

Thanks!

Yes it does sound like head gaskets. It sounds like you have many other problems. Are you sure it's a 3.0? 3.0 usually don't have HG problems. But with that high of miles things do go.

Good luck selling it. I would think you could sell it to guys like me who do their own work. Don't expect to get too much for it. I paid 500.00 for my 95 with HG requiring replacement. It had aprox. 176,000 on the clock and a fresh dent in the side.

Regards

Dan

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by brianm_14

Windstar 3.0 1998 with 180,000 miles. For the past few months I have been noting a slow loss of coolant from the overflow tank - but no change in the exhaust or other problems. A month ago, I flushed and changed the coolant. A few days ago, I found a slick ((1/2 ich) of oil floating on the coolant in the overflow tank. I cleaned it out, added more coolant, and haven't seen any oil since then.

Signs of head gasket problems? Or is there a chance it is a less serious problem? Any remedies? Anything I should check out?

I am thinking of trading in this beast for the best deal I can get, or trying a private slae. - power windows won't work, front blower won't blow, and hihg mileage.

Thanks!

Yes it does sound like head gaskets. It sounds like you have many other problems. Are you sure it's a 3.0? 3.0 usually don't have HG problems. But with that high of miles things do go.

Good luck selling it. I would think you could sell it to guys like me who do their own work. Don't expect to get too much for it. I paid 500.00 for my 95 with HG requiring replacement. It had aprox. 176,000 on the clock and a fresh dent in the side.

Regards

Dan