Oil in the cooling system

[vncommy]

Gday all,

Just noticed some oil in the water during a routine check of the coolant in my vt exec.
i have also noticed the engine oil level is dropping so the likihood of it being oil is pretty high. i havent done anything as yet just parked the car up and am stuck for ideas. Does anyone have any or has anyone heard of this before.

cheers. Chris.

[VTvoodoo]

well could be a head gasket gone dare i say

[SIG-054]

trans cooler in radiator leak?

[vncommy]

thanks guys. will have to have a look into it.was hoping it would be somethin easy but the more i look into it the more it looks to be major. where should i start? head gsket?.

[memphis]

trans cooler in radiator leak?

+1, i would start here

[Rossbx]

Try taking off the radiator cap with the engine cold and then running the engine at idle. If you have done a head gasket it will be bubbling in the radiator. If not, it is likely the the transmission cooler tube inside the end cap of the radiator has cracked.

[vncommy]

Thanks Rossbx, best help yet. I am confident in ruling out the trans cooler as the oil isnt red its very much an ugly brown engine oil sludge. as the engine oil level has dropped. wll do the bubble test in the mornin in the daylight and see how i go. thanks again..

[Dayvo]

could be your intake manafold gasket. a few guys on here have had the same problem

[vncommy]

could be your intake manafold gasket. a few guys on here have had the same problem

cheers will have to check that out also.

[TimRobinson]

could be your intake manafold gasket. a few guys on here have had the same problem

I'm one of them. You might be able tell by taking out the bolts that hold the inlet manifold in place one at time (ie, take one out check it, and replace it) When I was taking the manifold off it was immediately apparent where the gasket had failed. The right hand side middle bolts were covered with emulsified oil - all the others were clean. I'd do it the order that the manual says for tightening them.

Tim