2003 Buick Century oil in radiator

2003 BUICK CENTURY
70,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
CLES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
2003 buick century 3100. Suddenly started to make a loud rattling noise in the engine similar to rocker noise, at certain RPM's it would go away. The car ran fine and we drove it for quite a few thousand miles that way and it never seemed to effect the performance at all except it would use a good bit of oil. Then when winter hit we noticed there wasn't much heat. Upon inspection I found a considerable amount of oil in the radiator.
Upon tearing the engine down I noticed that there was a good deal of oil in the intake passages which leads me to believe the rattling noise might have been the pcv valve?.(maybe?)the pistons and cylinder walls all seem to be consistantly even and there was no noticable breaks in the head gaskets,heads,or decks.
Most recently it was affecting the shifting of the trans(oil effecting a trans. sensor?vaccuum?)
Where is it possible to get oil in the radiator but no antifreeze in the oil?What could cause that much oil to go into the radiator and in the intake?
May 10, 2010 at 3:53 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
You can get motor oil into the radiator through a bad head gasket. However, you mentioned the transmission isn't working properly. The trans cooling lines run through the radiator to cool the fluid. You may even be getting ATF mixing with the coolant.
Jun 7, 2010 at 8:38 AM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.