Oil in radiator water

10th May 2012, 09:50

I put a rod in the water reservoir to see where the water level is (the container is dirty so couldn't see the level on the outside), only to find the rod covered in oil when I took it back out.

First thoughts, head gasket. Before I get it changed, could it be anything else? The rocker cover gasket seems to be leaking oil slightly - it wouldn't be something to do with this would it? Or is it more likely to be the head gasket?

Thanks guys.

10th May 2012, 10:12

head gasket usually or at the very worst a crack in the head/block

10th May 2012, 10:26

In one tbh

10th May 2012, 10:34

Okay. I kind of need the car to commute to work and back. I can get it repaired next month, but in the meantime would it damage anything else if I carry on driving it? I'm aware that after a while the engine will overheat, so if that happened I'll just pull over and get towed home - but until that happens, are there any risks of driving it like it is?

10th May 2012, 11:07

Yes it will damage something lol

Check there's no water in the bottom end aswel

10th May 2012, 11:18

Could be a slow leak into the water from an oil way. If it wasnt too severe I'd drive it to be honest, just keep checking the coolant levels. Oil into the water is bad (for hoses and coolant pump etc) but not as bad as water into your oil, emulsifying it thus not allowing it to protect your engine correctly.

10th May 2012, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandi699

Could be a slow leak into the water from an oil way. If it wasnt too severe I'd drive it to be honest, just keep checking the coolant levels. Oil into the water is bad (for hoses and coolant pump etc) but not as bad as water into your oil, emulsifying it thus not allowing it to protect your engine correctly.

Well there doesn't seem to be any water in the oil, just a little oil in the water - how much I couldn't really tell you. I'm not sure how bad it is as it only takes a little bit of oil to discolour water...

Anything I should do to check how bad it is, or where it could be coming from? I'm not hugely mechanically minded

I'd flush the radiator and fill it again but I've no idea how that could help, as it would just turn to oil again :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackie_2k5

Yes it will damage something lol

Check there's no water in the bottom end aswel

Even if there's only some oil in the water, and not vice versa? And how would I check for water in the bottom end?

Big thanks for the help though guys.

10th May 2012, 12:56

Check the dipstick, as this goes down into the sump!

I'd change the coolant & flush out the rad!
You should be able to find a guide on here!!!!

10th May 2012, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quick

Check the dipstick, as this goes down into the sump!

I'd change the coolant & flush out the rad!
You should be able to find a guide on here!!!!

Brill. Well I've checked that and it hasn't got any milky substance or any signs of water at all - it's all normal.

So it looks like it's just some oil in the radiator and no where else. I wonder if it's actually that bad...

If I do change the coolant and flush out the radiator, what would I gain because it would just go back to the way it is surely? Unless there's some way it won't happen again? :/

10th May 2012, 13:28

Basically if you can't afford to fix it yet

Flush the coolant, and the system, use a garden hose and flush it back and forth to try get it as clean as poss

Fill it back up, top oil and water up to correct levels

Keep an eye on it checking it after every trip,

Oil should try to float on the top of the water, so check the condition on f the water with some rolled up tissue, also stick your finger in top of rad and run it along the top of the rad on the filler neck, this should gauge how quickly it's getting manky

If its quick I'd advise not using it.

Filling up your system and rad and matrix with oil is a cunt, and very hard to clean out