99v70xc coolant in oil

tcbrady · Post by **tcbrady** » 10 Feb 2013, 14:45

I noticed that I have some foam in my oil the other day. I've also noticed that I've been loosing coolant every so slowly but I couldn't figure out where. It seems to be making its way into the oil. I figure there are 3 options.

1. Head gasket. This is always the first place to look. I don't seem to be having any other symptoms of a blown head gasket, no bubbles in the coolant, no white smoke, no over heating. True, I haven't done a leak down or even inspected the plugs but I guess I'm really just hoping this isn't the issue.

2. Oil cooler? On the back of the oil pan there is the oil cooler? Has anyone seen coolant leak into the oil due to this failing?

3. turbo. I did rebuild the turbo myself so I would not be surprised if it has failed. I know there is coolant and oil in the turbo and my theory is that it could mix there.

Also notable, there is no oil in the coolant, only coolant in the oil. It seems to be leaking slow enough that a long trip will evaporate the coolant off faster than it is leaking in.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Feb 2013, 23:13

The head gasket is a possibility, it sounds like you know the drill to diagnose that. I use a block tester, you can rent then from AutoZone and the dye that you need to buy is cheap.

The oil cooler is a possibility but the newer style coolers are much beefier than the old, in the radiator, coolers.

The turbo is not likely. The only way for the coolant to transfer with the oil is if the actual cartridge cracked. The coolant isn't blocked by a seal, it is blocked by the casting itself.

It could also just be a combination of condensation that is showing up in the oil and a slight leak somewhere in the cooling system.

...Lee

Post by **rspi** » 11 Feb 2013, 05:56

Are you sure there is coolant in the oil? If you're writing about the gunk on the shank of the dip stick ignore that. Especially if the lower part of the dip stick looks good.

Deal with the loss of coolant independent of thinking you have a head gasket issue. You likely have a coolant leak somewhere like the heater core.

If you really think you have coolant in your oil, drain it in a clean oil pan and check it there. If it's clean, pour it back in the motor and press on.

tcbrady · Post by **tcbrady** » 11 Feb 2013, 09:47

when i discovered the problem the dip stick had several inched of thick foam on it. i'll see how it looks tonight.

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Feb 2013, 10:03

Drain the oil out and see what it looks like in the pan.

The oil cooler would be a definite possibility if you have never overheated the engine. It has happened here on the site before.

Post by **cn90** » 11 Feb 2013, 10:17

Send the engine oil for lab analysis.