our car’s engine is like the heart of your vehicle, pumping life into every part. Now, imagine a bit of trouble in this engine’s love story—oil and coolant, two vital fluids that should stay separate, decide to mix and mingle
Discovering oil in your engine’s coolant can be a troubling and unexpected issue. Typically, oil and coolant should remain separate in your vehicle’s engine, each performing distinct functions.
This situation, known as “oil in coolant,” might sound strange, but it can have serious consequences for your car’s health. Let’s dive into this automotive mystery and find out why this unexpected combo is a cause for concern and what you can do about it.
In this exploration, we will delve into the causes, signs, and consequences of finding oil in your engine’s coolant, as well as the steps to diagnose and remedy this situation, ensuring the health and longevity of your vehicle’s engine.
8 Common Causes of Oil In Coolant Reservoir
The presence of oil in the coolant reservoir is an unusual and concerning issue in a vehicle. It can be caused by various factors, and diagnosing the specific cause is essential for addressing the problem effectively. Here are some common causes of oil in the coolant reservoir are as follows:-
Leaking Head Gasket
A leaking head gasket is one of the most common reasons for oil mixing with coolant. The head gasket seals the area between the engine block and the cylinder head. When it fails, it can allow engine oil and coolant to mix, leading to contamination.
Cracked Cylinder Head
A cracked cylinder head can also result in oil entering the coolant. This happens when the crack allows oil passages in the cylinder head to connect with coolant passages.
Intake Manifold Gasket Leak
The intake manifold gasket seals the area between the intake manifold and the engine block. If it deteriorates or fails, it can enable the mixing of oil and coolant.
Transmission Cooler Issues
In certain vehicles, the transmission cooler is integrated with the radiator. If this cooler fails, it can lead to transmission fluid mixing with coolant, which might appear as oil contamination.
Oil/Coolant Heat Exchanger Failure
Some vehicles have oil coolers that use coolant to regulate engine oil temperature. If the oil cooler fails, it can cause oil and coolant to mix.
An internal leak at either of these components can cause oil to mix with a vehicle’s coolant.
Engine Block Damage
Similar to a cracked cylinder head, damage or cracks in the engine block can permit oil to mix with coolant. Once the engine block cracks, you have no choice but to replace the motor. For this reason, most of these cars are going to be junked.
Oil Additives or Contaminants
The use of incorrect or low-quality oil additives or contaminants in the coolant can lead to emulsification, where oil and coolant mix.
Although this may seem somewhat absurd, liquids get pumped into the wrong container by well-meaning people more frequently than you imagine. However, corrective measures should be taken.
How To Fix Oil In Coolant Reservoir
Repairing the leakage of oil in the reservoir of coolant requires finding and fixing the source of the issue that caused the leak. These are the steps to take so that you can follow are as:-
Diagnostics:- Firstly you have to find the source of contamination . It’s common for a professional mechanic to conduct diagnostic tests like the compression test, a leak-down test for the cylinder, or a visual inspection of the engine’s components.
Find the cause:- Once the source is determined it could be a blowing head gasket, cracked cylinder heads broken engine block an inefficient oil cooler, or some other problem. The cause of the issue will determine the required repair.
Fix or replace components:-Depending on the diagnostic diagnosis, you might need to repair or replace damaged parts. This could mean tasks such as replacing head gaskets, repairing damaged cylinder heads, or repairing a broken engine block.
Clear the Cooling System:- After repairs are completed, it’s important to cleanse the cooling system completely to get rid of any remaining coolant and oil mixture. This will ensure that the system is free of contaminants.
Refill with fresh coolant: Once the system has been flushed, fill it with new coolant of the proper mix ratio and type according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for your vehicle.
Monitoring: Keep a close watch on your vehicle’s coolant levels and the state of the coolant following the repair to make sure that the issue is completely solved.
Regular maintenance:-Maintain a routine maintenance plan for your car which includes regular checks of coolant and oil to avoid the possibility of future issues with oil contamination.
What are the Cost of Fixing of oil in coolant issue
The price of fixing an oil leak in the coolant issue could vary greatly depending on the cause and the difficulty of the repair. The typical repair for a blowhead gasket which is a typical reason for oil mixing with coolant, will cost anywhere from $2,000 to $1,000 or more.
If the problem is a damaged cylinder head or other components of an engine and components, the price could be more expensive. The particular model and make that you drive, along with the cost of labor in your locale can also impact the final price.
It’s essential to get a qualified mechanic to identify the issue and offer a thorough estimate for your vehicle since addressing the issue quickly is vital to avoid any further damage to the engine.
Can we Drive if There’s Oil in the Coolant Tank?
