1994 Ford Aspire Rusty foam in radiator

RDSQUID

MEMBER
1994 FORD ASPIRE
6 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
187,000 MILES

My radiator and overflow reserve are filled with an orange foam.

Several people have said this means oil from head gasket but there is no oil smell, sheen, or feel.

I also have driven several thousand miles with it like this.

What is it and should I stop driving until repaired?

1 Reply

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

Does it look like rusty water perhaps. Normally this could mean that the trans cooler was leaking into the radiator, but since you have a mnaual trans, that isnt likely. Oil level is good? Not mysteriously using oil? Did this just happen all of the sudden? If not haev the coolling system pressure flushed and the coolant replaced with fresh. Then monitor it to see if anything changes. Some coolants (Dexcool) ar orange in color, so it may not necessaarily look green like you may think it will after being flushed and filled