I have a 96 Chevy Lumina, 130k miles. We have been going through coolant like crazy, and we checked our oil and it was brown and thick...almost like peanut butter. We took it in for an oil change and the tech made a note that said "moisture of some kind in oil". Its running much more smoothly after the oil change (it was chugging a lot), but someone said it may be problem with our head gaskets? Anyone have this problem or an idea what is wrong? THANKS!
2006-10-20 08:11:36 · 10 answers · asked by moonbrook1985 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is a light brown color, not normal... it got really thick over a few days time.
2006-10-20 08:13:26 · update #1
Yes, it sounds like you may have a blown head gasket, which means coolant will then leak into the combustion chamber, and also into the oil. The light brown is oil and coolant mixed together. This is a pretty serious thing, as the coolant will eat up the bearings rather quickly and eventually it is going to seize up and quit running. Get it fixed pronto.
2006-10-20 08:15:41 · answer #1 · answered by Darien 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have changed oil regularly then you will not get the peanut butter texture .. But if it has been quite some time then you will have the peanut butter texture... And if you have a head gasket leak. let the car set for a few days .the water will seperate from the oil. and when you pull the plug on the oil pan the water will come out first. water is heavier than oil.... You have two remedies for a head gasket leak. and i am not sure you have a head gasket leak without you taking it to a mechanic and checking the radiator pressure.That will tell you more than anything is check the pressure of your radiator a mechanic can do that for you..That would be the first step in checking for water leaks..........
Only a shade tree mechanic.
2006-10-20 08:25:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You definitely have a coolant leak and it's getting in the oil.
DO NOT START THE ENGINE
It's a miracle if you haven't ruined your engine.
It is, hopefully, only a head gasket.
If the engine is running rough or mis- firing it is a good indication of gasket failure.
Pulling spark plugs and looking for moisture would be another indicator.
The problem needs attention, water will damage things in the crankase just sitting.
Find a good, HONEST, mechanic.
2006-10-20 10:33:04 · answer #3 · answered by tronary 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely you have a blown head gasket and possibly a cracked head. The longer you operate the vehicle in this condition the more chance of additional internal engine damage.
2006-10-20 12:02:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry but u have your head gasket burned or worst your head have a fisure, u need fix cause each time that you use the car you are ruinning other parts of your engine.
Be sure that when the technician fix it clean the engine a change the oil
2006-10-20 11:10:07 · answer #5 · answered by isidoro321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your coolant is still going down then it has to be leaking some where if not visible. i.e radiator/,hose/ it must be going into engine block either through cylinder head gasket or porise engine block.keep an eye on coolant if goes down again and no leak external i suggest take back to garage not an oil change center and have them look at it.
2006-10-20 08:27:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does sound like you have a blown head gasket. It appears that coolant is getting into your oil.
2006-10-20 08:14:19 · answer #7 · answered by Wil T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
even if it is a milky brown and the coolant element is falling also, then the top gasket is an outstanding probability. otherwise, search for some extra. it does sound like it truly is your project notwithstanding, both a head gasket or a cracked head or block.
2016-12-05 01:17:28 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't be looking at a head gasket..... I'd be looking at the intake gasket..... what size engine? 3.1? 3.4? they have known gasket issues after 96 (when they switched to a different coolant and gasket design)
2006-10-20 16:17:08 · answer #9 · answered by 572ci. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cracked engine head?? I hope not.
2006-10-20 08:20:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋