milky oil and steam out the coolant filler

[davischow]

i ran my l400 95 diesel low on coolant and noticed my oil is milky. there was a lot of froth in the egr valve and intake boot leading to the turbo.
after topping up the coolant steam comes out the coolant tank, but i don't see any oil in the coolant. just lots of gasses, i'll try to get a hydrocarbon test kit to confirm that combustion is getting into the cooling system. after running for less than a min the pressure builds up quick when i open up the coolant cap. is this normal for such quick build up of pressure?

after reading online i think i have a cracked head.

i am thinking to get a new or used head. and install.

my van still runs really well. lots of power and easy to start even when cold.
but i don't like the milky oil will damage the bearings. any pointers on how i can get her fixed?

[jamengual]

any milky oil means headgasket there is no way around that and if there is any bubbles then exhaust gasses are getting into your reservoir and that could explain the reason why the pressure build up so fast.

We are in the same boat with my v6, headgasket job is coming.

You can use those headgasket fix additives and they do work for a while, basically it will just buy you more time for you to do the proper fix but at the end you will have to do the job,

[Growlerbearnz]

Just be aware that the head gasket fix additives can cause more trouble down the line- they can bind sediment in the engine into clumps that clog coolant passages. If you're planning on rebuilding the engine (or selling it), no worries. if you're planning on just replacing the head, I'd avoid the additives.

[jamengual]

Agree that could happen that is why if I use any of this stuff I use the ones that you do not have to drain the coolant and ONLY knowing I will take the engine apart and take it a machine shop for inspection and washing, I guess RTFM....read the label of the bottle you put on before, specially the warnings...