Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) oil in rad???

[JKure]

I have a early 98 12 valve looked at my rad fluid yesterday and found oil in it? What is my problem? And which is the best fix? Thanks

 

[tp0d]

First, Welcome to the TDR! Good to have ya!



Could be one of two things, either your oil cooler or a headgasket failure. I`m not sure of a procedure to diagnose the oil cooler, the only way to really test it would be to completely remove the oil filter housing/etc to get to it. Here is a diagram, I`m pretty sure its for a 2nd gen. (#2 is the cooler)



If its the headgasket, theres not really a way to diag that i think... (someone may know a way tho)



good luck



-j

 

[CToney]

Same thing happened to me except I had so much oil in my coolant my heater quit working and my engine temp went up. I check to see if my oil cooler was leaking but it was ok so my head gasket went. I got my head and valves done as well as removed the rad and got it cleaned. I changed my front crank seal and did the kdp tab. All is well now. Be careful with the temp sensor it is on the rear of the head. Good luck.

 

[JGheen]

Could be the cooler. I removed mine first and pressure checked it before digging into a headgasket swap. Cooler turned out to be Ok and after removing the head I found the gasket to be damaged at the rear allowing oil into my coolant. I went ahead and bought a new cooler for cheap insurance since they have been known to crack/fail. I figured I would be better off with a brand new one rather than the original with over 150K on the clock.



Good luck with whatever you find out.



Joe

 

[Turbo Thom]

Go ahead and change the head gasket and flush the radiator about 15 times. The oil just does not want to come out, but it needs to be clean. While you have the head off, clean it real well with a buffer wheel and check for cracks. May want to have it magnifluxed to be sure. Also, have it dressed at a machine shop. Do not put it back on if it's not flat.



. . Preston. .