Some oil in coolant issue

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  • E30Gus
    Mod Crazy
    • Jun 2008
    • 781
    #1

    Some oil in coolant issue

    I recently noticed a little oil in my reservoir. The engine has been in the car for around 3 years now after a head rebuild and bottom end seals replaced. I've always had a few drops floating around in there and has never worried me until I saw this. About a month ago I did the water pump and timing belt. I'm wondering if this looks like a HG leak or could it be some of the thick gunk I cleaned off the front of the head/block that made its way into the coolant system during the water pump replacement.
    This is my weekend/fun/track car so I haven't driven it that much since I last worked on it. What do you think?

    I'll probably flush the system and see if oil appears again. And there is no water in the oil.



    Tags: None
    • jlevie
      R3V OG
      • Nov 2006
      • 13530
      #2
      That, given the history, looks like a head gasket problem.
      The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
      Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

        Comment

        • TobyB
          R3V Elite
          • Oct 2011
          • 5168
          #3
          Yeah, do flush it, and see what happens-
          but I'm with Jim on this one.

          Unlike water in the oil, though, this won't hurt anything,
          so it's worth making SURE it's doing it.

          Since it's a lot less common than water in the oil.

          t
          now, sometimes I just mess with people. It's more entertaining that way. george graves

            Comment

            • E30Gus
              Mod Crazy
              • Jun 2008
              • 781
              #4
              Now I'm wondering if I used a VR head gasket.

                Comment

                • Danny915
                  Wrencher
                  • Sep 2012
                  • 200
                  #5
                  I had the same issue with my motor that had a rebuilt top end from PO, flushed the system and never saw it again. The shop that did the rebuilt im guessing was too lazy to flush the radiator after they were done.... hope this is the case for you.

                    Comment

                    • E30Gus
                      Mod Crazy
                      • Jun 2008
                      • 781
                      #6
                      Definitely the head gasket. Got one on order (Goetze) so I should have it running by the weekend. I have to be ready for Nov VIR Grand Course!

                        Comment

                        • E30Gus
                          Mod Crazy
                          • Jun 2008
                          • 781
                          #7
                          The general consensus is that I should at least bring the head to a machine shop to check for flatness? Head was rebuilt ~3 yrs ago.

                            Comment

                            • E30Gus
                              Mod Crazy
                              • Jun 2008
                              • 781
                              #8
                              OK got the head back. The guy had to resurface it due to warpage. So what causes head warping other than overheating? The engine has never been anywhere near the red line.

                                Comment

                                • jlevie
                                  R3V OG
                                  • Nov 2006
                                  • 13530
                                  #9
                                  And engine doesn't have to have experienced overheats for the head to warp. The repeated thermal cycling that the engine experiences will result in some warp.
                                  The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
                                  Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

                                    Comment

                                    • E30Gus
                                      Mod Crazy
                                      • Jun 2008
                                      • 781
                                      #10
                                      Thanks J! Good to know

                                        Comment

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