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Oil in Antifreeze

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Old 10-05-2006, 01:46 AM
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Default Oil in Antifreeze

Hi guys,

Longtime lurker, first time poster.

I have a 94 SSEi with 145,000 mi on it. Had the car in the shop for a minor coolant leak, valve cover gaskets and oil change. The coolant leak was the bypass hose (plastic nipple previously replaced). While refilling coolant it burped up a slug of what appears to be engine oil. Inside of oil cap, dipstick and tranny dipstick show no signs of contamination. Thought it might be the engine oil cooler leaking into antifreeze. Disconnected oil lines from rad and pressurized oil cooler to about 90 psi, no leakage into rad. Was leaning towards head gaskets but that doesn't seem to be a problem on the 3.8. Are the intake gaskets known to be a problem on the early 3.8'*, or just the Gen II'*, and would that allow engine oil into the rad? Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Old 10-05-2006, 04:53 AM
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Default Re: Oil in Antifreeze

Originally Posted by mrerk
Hi guys,

Longtime lurker, first time poster.

I have a 94 SSEi with 145,000 mi on it. Had the car in the shop for a minor coolant leak, valve cover gaskets and oil change. The coolant leak was the bypass hose (plastic nipple previously replaced). While refilling coolant it burped up a slug of what appears to be engine oil. Inside of oil cap, dipstick and tranny dipstick show no signs of contamination. Thought it might be the engine oil cooler leaking into antifreeze. Disconnected oil lines from rad and pressurized oil cooler to about 90 psi, no leakage into rad. Was leaning towards head gaskets but that doesn't seem to be a problem on the 3.8. Are the intake gaskets known to be a problem on the early 3.8'*, or just the Gen II'*, and would that allow engine oil into the rad? Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Its always the other way around

I will be waiting to see the outcome.

In regards to Intake gaskets failing, There have been 3 instances of LIM gasket failure on the 94 and the current 93 SSEi I have. In fact I had to scrap my 94 SSEi due to bad gaskets, granted it was very high miles and body was badly damaged, along with a bad transmission (abused, never maintained, etc)....but I've personally seen my fair share of failures.
Old 10-05-2006, 08:19 AM
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The intake gaskets are a definite possibility. However if it'* only one small amount I probably would run it further and see if it returns. it'* possible some sludge fell in at one point and merely floated to the top.
Old 10-05-2006, 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by BillBoost37
The intake gaskets are a definite possibility. However if it'* only one small amount I probably would run it further and see if it returns. it'* possible some sludge fell in at one point and merely floated to the top.
That'* what I am hoping. I'm going to try a couple of flush & fills and see what happens.
Old 11-08-2006, 09:05 PM
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Default Re: Oil in Antifreeze

Originally Posted by mrerk
Hi guys,

Longtime lurker, first time poster.

I have a 94 SSEi with 145,000 mi on it. Had the car in the shop for a minor coolant leak, valve cover gaskets and oil change. The coolant leak was the bypass hose (plastic nipple previously replaced). While refilling coolant it burped up a slug of what appears to be engine oil. Inside of oil cap, dipstick and tranny dipstick show no signs of contamination. Thought it might be the engine oil cooler leaking into antifreeze. Disconnected oil lines from rad and pressurized oil cooler to about 90 psi, no leakage into rad. Was leaning towards head gaskets but that doesn't seem to be a problem on the 3.8. Are the intake gaskets known to be a problem on the early 3.8'*, or just the Gen II'*, and would that allow engine oil into the rad? Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
I just found the same thing tonight, what appears to be oil in the antifreeze. Oil looks good and wasn't milky. Just changed it a week ago. Kinda stumped on this one
Old 11-09-2006, 02:26 AM
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The only other time I have heard of this happening was when I beat the hell out of a 98 Dodge Neon and it had oil in the coolant, looked like hot chocolate...turned out the heads blew, intake warped and oil pressure pushed it into the cooling lines...other than that, I have no info, I didn't ever see the car again after that, that was only what i was told.

Good Luck with this.
Old 11-09-2006, 07:35 AM
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JeepRat!!! Long time buddy.

I'd do a flush and refill, it is possible when doing the lower intake gaskets that something falls in and is slushed around until you find it.

If you only see a little.. flush very well..make sure it'* out and refill and keep an eye on it.

(ps.. my pulley addiction is all your fault )
Old 11-09-2006, 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by BillBoost37
JeepRat!!! Long time buddy.

I'd do a flush and refill, it is possible when doing the lower intake gaskets that something falls in and is slushed around until you find it.

If you only see a little.. flush very well..make sure it'* out and refill and keep an eye on it.

(ps.. my pulley addiction is all your fault )
Glad the pulley and puller worked out for ya sorry about the addiction.

Yep I'm going to flush and fill and see if it shows back up. Wasn't much, just some milky globs floating there. But, just enough for me to say "OH **** thats not right"
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