ford running hot

[clewis]

I recently bought a ford 3000 and not long afer it started running hot. I drained the water in the radiator and it was black like oil. I filled it up again with fresh water and antifreeze and began running it. I started running hot again so I drained it out again and it looked like oil in the water. Does anyone have an idea what this could mean? maybe a blown head gasket?

 

[RodinNS]

It could be a head gasket. When the tractor is running, open the rad cap carefully. Observe for pressure escaping. Once it's open, look for bubbles in the coolant. Keep in mind that there will be some bubbles from ciculation.... but these should be a more pronounced bubble from combustion gases rising to the top. You should see them rising in a steady stream and break as opposed to circulation bubbles that sit on top and never go anywhere.
If you don't see any bubbles, even after it's good and hot, then I would try flushing the cooling system. Some people use white vinegar, which I've never done. I use a commercial engine flush that basically does the same thing. Just follow the instructions on the bottle. See if that cleans the crap out, and go from there.

Rod

 

[clewis]

thanks for the info. I will give it a shot tomorrow.