Oil in Radiator (Head gasket or what?)

[Ryan]

I'm looking at a few cars to purchase. Looked at one today. Has not been running for the past 2 years. He said it was a blown head gasket but has not been torn down. The oil in the engine was black and the dipstick was not rusty. The radiator was filled with black oil. I blew a head gasket on a car a few years ago. The engine oil was white like a milk shake but the coolant was normal.... low but normal. My question.... Could this be another problem? Was expecting the dipstick to be coverd with rust if water got into the block. If you blow a gasket the the water and oil go both ways... block to radiator and vice a versa? I've been out of the loop for a while. Gotta get back in to the Turbo Buick mind set.

 

[GNX026]

head gasket

it sounds like the engine oil cooler has leaked into the cooling system.
the engine oil pressure is greater than the cooling system pressures thereby
allowing the oil to enter the radiator.

 

[CTX-SLPR]

it sounds like the engine oil cooler has leaked into the cooling system.
the engine oil pressure is greater than the cooling system pressures thereby
allowing the oil to enter the radiator.

I concure, sounds like you have a leak not a blown gasket. If you want to risk it, drain the coolant and make sure the oil is full, then run the engine and see if the oil comes out the radiator. Don't run it very long as there is no coolant but you can run an engine dry for a short while, but you can't run it without oil.

 

[GNX026]

oil in radiator

I agree, but if you already have oil in the radiator you are going to have to remove it anyway. I would suggest you take it out and send it to a reputable
radiator shop and have the cooler pressure tested.



Fred

 

[1970gsx]

The only reason it looks like milkshake is because of the oil and water is mixed. Once it has a chance to settle ( like the 2 years this car has been sitting) it will separate into water and oil again appearing black. My .02. worth.

 

[jacksorroche]

The last time I saw oil in the water, it turned out to be a cracked block. Just me 2 bits worth.

 

[Ryan]

With a blown head gasket, can you have water in the radiator and not the block?

 

[jacksorroche]

In my past experiences, with a blown head gasket I have had an unexplained loss of water, a bit of rust form on the oil dipstick, and white exhaust from the burning antifreeze. I have never had oil in the water with a blown head gasket.

 

[Ryan]

Jack, are you saying that you did not have oil in the engine?