Oil in radiator reservoir none in sump

[Broomlagoon]

Good day , I have a transit l3h3 350T and noticed oil in the radiator reservoir no oil in sump no overheating and not Smokey exhaust and still has same power
What do reckon is causing this ? I’ve been reading on here it could be oil cooler is this right
Do I need to do pressure test to make sure ?
The ESP light is also come on and wont go off …is this related?
Thank you

[knobby1]

Your oil cooler has failed...pretty common.

With the ESP light, you need to get the codes read to find out exactly why.

Lord Knobrot

[Broomlagoon]

Thank you Knobby1 , was worried it was costly gasket blown , what do suggest for a replacement used original oil cooler or rather a non branded new oil cooler and is a fairly easy job to replace ? Flush out radiator and reservoir with a flushing agent before changing then straight forward swop ?

I will take to the mechanic for the ESP as a don’t have a code reader

Appreciate the quick answering , cheers again

[ned]

Really easy to swap oil cooler, I did mine in December in the rain and dark, had it done in 1 hour, I fitted one from tpuk with the metal spin on filter instead of the ford plastic bowl filter.

[Broomlagoon]

Thanks Ned had a look on eBay they are £50 so not too bad
How many times did you have to flush and what did you use ?
Regards

[ned]

I didn’t have to flush mine as it had split externally dumping oil all over the bottom of the van but I’ve heard dishwasher detergent works well.

[Broomlagoon]

Thanks mate , been looking how to flush it I seen here you can use dishwasher tablets too but not sure how to actually go about it … been hunting online no luck

[knobby1]

Thanks mate , been looking how to flush it I seen here you can use dishwasher tablets too but not sure how to actually go about it … been hunting online no luck

What our Ned said...Dishwashing detergent will help disperse the oil and allow it to be flushed away, eventually ....will take several attempts to get it all out though as it gets everywhere...including the heater matrix.
Might be a good idea to replace the coolant reservoir as it will probably be stained from the oil.

Lord Knobrot

[Broomlagoon]

Thank you , I mean how does one go about going that ? Drain radiator and full reservoir with soapy water then repeat half a dozen times ? Then flush with clean water
Can you leave a hosepipe running in reservoir

But I suppose hot water with detergent will also work much better in the first few flushes

Do i do this with oil cooler taken off and obviously before fitting new one

Thanks for the help

[knobby1]

Thank you , I mean how does one go about going that ? Drain radiator and full reservoir with soapy water then repeat half a dozen times ? Then flush with clean water
Can you leave a hosepipe running in reservoir

But I suppose hot water with detergent will also work much better in the first few flushes

Do i do this with oil cooler taken off and obviously before fitting new one

Thanks for the help

Fit new oil cooler first, (otherwise you'll keep filling the system with oil) then clean out the system. "Dishwashing" tablets or detergent is better than normal sink type up washing up detergent as it doesn't foam up so much. Just drop a tablet in the reservoir and run the engine for a goodly while...drain, rinse and repeat a few times until clean....then fill with clean water and your favorite coolant/antifreeze.

Lord Knobrot

[Broomlagoon]

Thank very much for the Nobby1 couldn’t find that info anywhere
Thanks for your time

[Broomlagoon]

I didn’t have to flush mine as it had split externally dumping oil all over the bottom of the van but I’ve heard dishwasher detergent works well.

Last question Ned , did you use same bolts to fit the new modified oil filter , or do you just use same bolts from old one?
Thanks again

[ned]

I used the bolts from the old one as the new cooler didn’t come with bolts, make things easier for yourself and undo the oil pressure switch before you remove the old cooler.

[Broomlagoon]

Brilliant I reckon I’m ready to rock and roll when the part arrives
Thank you Ned and knobby1 for all your help

[knobby1]

Brilliant I reckon I’m ready to rock and roll when the part arrives
Thank you Ned and knobby1 for all your help

As Ned mentions, loosen the oil pressure switch first as they're a pig to do if you don't have a way to hold the assembly when it's off the engine..... the new coolers with the metal oil filter don't come with new bolts either...you may find one or two bolts will be too short depending on the make of the unit, (most are Chinese), just a matter fo getting a couple from your local bolt place to suit. I have one fitted on my 2.4 and it works fine.

Lord Knobrot