4 replies to this topic

[Bob S]

1996 854 Turbo purchased at 110K in January. Oil changed at purchase to 10W-30 Castrol and installed new t-stat, timing belt, strut caps, turbo oil line, flushed transmission , and antifreeze. Checked oil every 400 miles to monitor usage and up to 1800 miles minimal useage, full to mark and dipstick clean.
Have had slight antifreeze smell at initial warm-up from heater vents, but no condensation on windows (Wisconsin winter) or interior dripping/leaks. Probably after heater core heats up, small cracks reseal somewhat. Plan to change with FCP Groton core.

Now to problem. Last Wed 3/23/05, Radiator low coolant light came on at start-up and went out at warm-up (after expansion of coolant). Checked expansion tank and it was empty! Checked oil (112.4K) with 2400 miles and was slightly down 1/3 qt. However, light tan foam was all the way up the side of the stick. Rechecked oil itself on bottom of stick and it is still perfectly clear, amber. Car idles smoothly and good power. Not really sure if exhaust is any different
Inside of oil fill cap is still clean, no residue.
My first thought was HEADGASKET, however after reading all antifreeze, headgasket posts, I'm not sure??
Advise/experience please.

Also, does the foam and antifreeze damaging logterm. now and after headgasket or whatever is fixed? Any cleaning/flushing required?

[nedro018]

Hmmm...I wouldn't throw the head gasket culprit out yet. Foamy oil results from coolent in the oil. That's pretty much ALL it comes from because the oil cant mix with too much else.

Acid test: where is the fluid going? It went SOMEWHERE...on the ground? Do you see a drip line down the engine? Somewhere on the very bottom of your engine, there must be green radiator fluid...if you have an external leak.

Otherwise, it's internal which means headgasket. Dont drive long in this state! Good luck.

[orange850t]

now now, foam on oil can also occur during cold weather and short trips so don't go tearing your engine apart yet, coincidently this is also when heater hoses and coolant hoses are under the most stress.

[Bob S]

now now, foam on oil can also occur during cold weather and short trips so don't go tearing your engine apart yet, coincidently this is also when heater hoses and coolant hoses are under the most stress.

Thanks for the reply: The facts are the coolant has emptied from the overflow reservoir, there is foam on the dipstick for 6 inches (300MM) ABOVE, the oil full level, and the oil is clear thjat is on the stick and drips off at the bottom.
I don't know how long it took for the half full radiator overflow to empty - but since the warning light for low coolant came on and I saw the condition and the foam on the dip stick, I am not driving the car.
How can there be foam on the dip stick and the oil in the bottom of the oil pan still amber clear, as shown on the dip stick?
Where do I go from here?
Bob S

[Bay13]

Change the oil.

Top off the coolant. Have the system pressure tested to find out where the coolant is going. Make sure they check the heater core during the pressure test.