Has anyone had oil get into their coolant?

[jetmex]

I have a 99 3.0Flex with an automatic 2wd and have flushed the radiator and hoses but have a sludge like substance on the cap and the overflow looks and smells rather bad.

Looking for opinions...

Head Gaskets or a cracked head? I know the previous owner put a freeze plug in it before I bought it but have no other history. I've driven it about 15k miles.

Thanks a bunch,

Greg

 

[Big Jim M]

Crap in general builds up in radiators. If there was oil in there, there would also be coolant in the oil.. Just clean it up and forgetaboutit.
Big JIm

 

[jetmex]

Thanks, but...

Thanks Jim, but already done that. It looks like the Gulf of Mexico in my overflow tank. I had always seen it the way you describe water in the oil but this is the first time I've seen it go into the coolant. Oh well I guess it's not common and new heads will be on the agenda. Man am I not looking forward to this job.

Any recommendations on a comprehensive service manual?

Greg

 

[Big Jim M]

Could that stuff in there be tranny oil? Most autos have a cooler in the radiator.. If it leaked... Check that out, why doncha?
Big JIm

 

[jetmex]

Will do

Not sure why I didn't think of that already other than I would assume the tranny fluid to be low.

Thanks,
Greg