Oil in the water expansion tank

[Kevinthomas]

I wonder if anyone can help I have a 2003 transit but last week the vehicle lost all power and the water expansion tank was full of engine oil, so we flushed it out and bypassed the pipes refilled the oil tried it and within 5 miles it was full again

[taz666]

Yep, that will be the very common oil cooler failure, needs a new oil cooler and then the cooling system will need flushing to get rid of all the oil, use non bio washing liquid, about 250-300 ml of washing liquid and fill the system with water then drive for about 10 mins then drain the system, you will have to go this at least 4 or 5 times to flush all the oil out

[Kevinthomas]

But the fitter that is looking at the vehicle reckons he bypassed the cooler by joining the water pipes to try and eliminate that problem does that sound right or not

[taz666]

to be honest that is the only way oil can get into the coolant, these engines dont suffer with head gaskets so oil cooler is the favourite, unless the water pump has cracked internally