there is oil in my coolant reservoir tank

1999 CADILLAC CATERA
11,900 MILES
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MATTHEWA9
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
i went to check my fluids and discovered oil in my overflow tank. ive been told that it the oil line in the cooling system broke. there is no moisture on the dipstick or in the crank case.
Oct 28, 2011 at 4:21 PM
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FACTORYJACK
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 4,159 POSTS
If it is brown oil, it could be most likely coming from the oil cooler in the center of the engine valley. If it is reddish(could be brown also, depending on the condition), it could be coming from the transmission oil cooler that is in the radiator. The pressures in the coolers are typically more than cooling system pressure, and that could explain leaking in one direction, and not the other.
Oct 31, 2011 at 8:49 AM
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CADIEMAN
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,544 POSTS
youll need to replace the radiator.
Oct 31, 2011 at 6:27 PM
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