Browse over 9,000 car reviews

    guides

    adventureguide

    evguide

    familyguide

    tradieguide

    urbanguide

    0 Logout

    Browse over 9,000 car reviews

    I have oil in my coolant in my 2011 Ford Territory.

    Ford Ford Advice Ford Territory Ford Territory Advice Ford Territory 2011
    ...

    I have oil in my coolant in my 2011 Ford Territory. What could be wrong?

    Answered by CarsGuide
    23 September 2024
    David Morley

    Any time you have oil mixing with coolant, you have a pretty major problem on your hands. In the case of your Territory, it could be that the head gasket has failed, allowing the two fluids to mix, creating the milky murk known in the trade as a 'milkshake'. It’s a bit unlikely but it could be even more serious and your engine may be suffering from a cracked cylinder head or a split cylinder liner. A blown head gasket is a lot more likely, though.

    But just as probable is a problem that occurs pretty frequently with this make and model. The Territory’s transmission is cooled via a heat-exchanger that is cooled by the engine’s coolant. If the plumbing on this cooler fails (usually because of friction due to junk inside the tubing) then the engine coolant and transmission fluid can mix and also form a milkshake which you’ll see in the radiator or coolant catch-tank.

    Unfortunately, if this is the case, the transmission’s computer and its hardware may also be damaged beyond repair by the coolant diluting the transmission fluid and generally causing havoc inside the transmission.

    The best advice is to not drive the vehicle any farther and have it diagnosed by a workshop to see exactly what has happened.

    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
    Other Ford Territory Problems
    SELL ALL FORD TERRITORY PROBLEMS
    Related cars for sale on CarsGuide
    See more Ford Territorys for sale

    Comments

    Have a new question for the CarsGuide team?
    More than 9,000 questions asked and answered.
    Ask now
    Complete guide to Ford Territory 2011
    Complete guide to Ford Territory 2011 CarsGuide Logo
    Reviews, price, specs and more