I have a 92 cutlas cierra.I checked the fluids today and the anti-freeze is brown,and settled at the bottom of the return tank.It smells like oil and anti-freeze.Could I just need to flush the radiator or is it more serious?
2007-05-05 18:51:25 · 9 answers · asked by dymond 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Typically means you've got a blown head gasket.
The head gasket seals off the combustion chambers as well as the oil and water as it circulates between the head and the block. Sounds like the head gasket has gone bad between the oil and radiator fluid and the two fluids are mixing.
I'd get it checked to verify that it is indeed oil in the radiator fluid, or just very dirty radiator fluid.
2007-05-05 18:56:01 · answer #1 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I'm afraid that the presence of oil in the radiator water is normally indicative of a leak in the head gasket.
Normally the water and antifreeze are circulated round the cooling chambers of the engine and do not come into contact with oil. If you check your engine oil you may find you have water in it. If so you will need to replace the head gasket as soon as possible, before the car lets you down in a big way by losing all its water and overheating.
One thing you could try to avoid the need to strip your car engine and/or to spend money is to get a torque spanner (wrench) and check each of the head bolts. Your manual will give you the correct torque setting for these. It is possible (though, I must admit, not common) that one or more of the bolts have loosened or relaxed and a re-tightening could overcome this problem.
The most likely cause, though, is the failed head gasket. It's not terribly difficult to repair for yourself, though if you haven't the confidence to try it any mechanic's shop will do the job for you fairly quickly.
Avoid driving too far until you are sure what the problem is, keep on driving it will keep getting more expensive to fix.
Good luck, anyway, hope this helps.
BobSpain p.s. flushing the radiator would be a good idea, but then check after your first run to see if the oil returns.
2007-05-05 19:07:18 · answer #2 · answered by BobSpain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the pinnacle gasket isn't Blown, as such, simply by fact the motor runs mushy. inspite of the incontrovertible fact that I wager you have a small leak in it. one thank you to tell is to run it revved up for a whilst and spot in the journey that your radiator overflows. Leaking combustion gases will pressurize the cooling gadget and sell off coolant. additionally do away with the radiator cap heavily!! and scent for combustion gases. in case you run any distance at highway speeds you may pressurize your cooling gadget sufficient that the overflow won't be able to handle it and you will be able to blow a center plug and lose all your coolant. Your radiator can get plugged up with all form of nasty sludge inflicting overheating. this could burn valves.
2016-10-14 21:49:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This could possibly be any number of things. It could be a blown head gasket, a possible cracked head, or if your vehicle has an oil cooler which is cooled by engine coolant, it could be that too.
2007-05-05 19:01:23 · answer #4 · answered by withodenonmyside 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like a head gasket is blown. but also you need to make sure its not just dirty sludge from your anti freeze. if it has never been changed in a 92 model you need to.
2007-05-05 19:03:19 · answer #5 · answered by mbm_305 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As the guy stated before me. It is an extremly bad sign, and usally means time to hit the ol' shop/car repair place. never a fun thing
2007-05-05 18:59:14 · answer #6 · answered by wicked_beast666 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your car has a cracked seal or header. This is very serious. And will cost a lot of money. Sorry for the bad news.
2007-05-05 19:02:13 · answer #7 · answered by mitchconner_co 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if its really oil in coolant sounds like head gasket but be sure its not just rust from radiator.
2007-05-05 19:03:13 · answer #8 · answered by Kevy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check the oil ... is it foamy ?
either way, it's almost certainly a blown head gasket
have you accelerated your car "HARD" anytimne recently?
2007-05-05 19:00:47 · answer #9 · answered by atheistforthebirthofjesus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋