3 replies to this topic

[Bob S]

Last Summer had up to 2 qts of oil in coolant expansion tank and system. At recommendation of Bay 13, replaced radiator (FCP Groton) and washed out system with automatic dish detergent (3x) and water rinse (6x). Washd out expansion too. Replaced most hoses too.

After this system and expansion stayed crystal clean for rest of year.

Recently developed a leak in small coolant line to Turbo (this was not replaced earlier). Leak was small enough that could drive home with radiator cap slightly loosened and would not leak, otherwise with cap tight, pressure would force out small drip or stream and leave 1 pint of antifreeze on driveway.When I went to refill antiifreeze, I noticed a small amount of oil (about 1 ounce) in expansion tank. I drove about 200 miles after fixing the turbo coolant line and maybe have 1-2 ounces more oil in the expansion tank.

The possibilities for the oil getting into the system seem to be only the radiator, turbo unit , or head gasket.
The new radiator did fix the oil problem before, but could a new radiator also develop a leak or have a defect?

Is the new radiator still a possibility? and can the radiator oil cooler be checked while in the car? What should be checked and in what order?

[the underlørd]

get a compression check.

[Boosted2003]

possibly a warped head. A compression test wont show anything. Try a leak down test.

[Bob S]

What exactly is a "Leak down test" and what will it show?

Also, Why did the coolant stay perfectly clean for several months after replacing the radiator? Before the radiator was replaced, I would lose a quart of oil from the radiator cooler leak in less than 1000 miles. After the radiator was replaced, oil usage wss minimal - level not noticably down in even 2000 miles.

Now, the oil loss (from ?) to the coolant is about 2-3 ounces in 500 miles.

Is this new leak just a coincidence? not from the radiator or is there a chance the new radiator has a defect? (smaller leak)