Oil in the coolant

2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER
17,600 MILES • 3.5L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SWANY1962
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  • 1 POST
Why does oil leak into the radiator reservoir?
Jun 17, 2014 at 8:30 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Is it motor oil or trans fluid? The trans cooler is an integral part of the radiator and can leak. Make sure there is no issue with the fluid in the trans and let me know what you find.
Jun 17, 2014 at 8:53 PM
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CAPTAINBROCK
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no water in oil, does not overheat until running several minutes, however plenty of brown (not red) oil floating in water. Just had air intake manifold butterfly motor worked on by local mechanic (last week} but not sure I can trust. Oil clear, transmission fluid clear
Jun 17, 2017 at 7:20 PM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,832 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hello,

This means the oil cooler inside the radiator has gone bad and is leaking engine oil into the coolant. Here is a guide that will help you get the problem fixed.

Also see if there is an engine oil cooler by the oil filter which can leak too.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolantantifreeze-in-the-engine-oil

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-radiator


Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
Jun 20, 2017 at 9:55 AM
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