Oil in radiator

JUSHAN

MEMBER
1991 TOYOTA COROLLA
AUTOMATIC
220,000 MILES

Bought the car used and have invested in several repairs. Lastly was replacing the radiator. It obviously was worn and the fluid was murky brownish in color. Both the engine and transmission dipsticks are showing both have clean oils. Shortly after the radiator was replaced I drove approximately 9 miles home and I noticed during the drive that the heater wasn't blowing as hot as it usually does. As I pulled into my parking spot a cloud was escaping from the hood gaps. Had the car towed to the shop that completed the radiator replacement. A hose had blown off. I was told oil getting into the cooling system over time deteriorates rubber and there could be more to come. They flushed the radiator but the fluid is still murky. They couldn't find the source of the oil leak and assume it is the head gasket and estimated cost around $2,000.00 to $2,500.00. They didn't mention the possibility of the oil or transmission cooler failures. Should I get a second opinion? I am a senior citizen and don't have money to burn. The engine and transmission seem okay. I don't know if I should invest any more in this car and am busing to and from work now. Can't afford car payments. Appreciate any suggestions.

3 Replies

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

An easy way to see if your head gasket is blown and your vehicle has oil and coolant commingling is to check the color of the engine oil. If it is normal oil color, brown [fresh oil] or black [older oil] then you do not have coolant commingling with the oil from a blown head gasket. If the oil looks like coffee with creamer in it then you do have coolant commingling with the engine oil and 99% your vehicle has a blown head gasket. If you are looking for a definitive test you can get a head gasket test from your local auto parts store. Here is a link to a guide explaining how to do this below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Please get back to us with what you find out. We can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Sunday, February 9th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM

JUSHAN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Both the oil and transmission fluids show as normal (clean). The problem is the fluid in the radiator is brown and foamy even after having new radiator (and fluid/coolant) replaced. Took it back and they flushed it and did pressure test to make sure it wasn't a defective radiator. After flushing and refilling with new fluids the brown foamy yuck can be seen when removing radiator cap. So oil is getting into the cooling system. Not vice versa. Wondering about these "additives" being sold that "Permanently fixes head gaskets, engine blocks, cooling systems, and cylinder heads".

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Sunday, February 9th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

The only way for coolant and oil to commingle is either a blown head gasket between where a coolant and an oil port are going from the block to the cylinder head or a crack in either the cylinder head or the engine block. Is it possible that the flush didn't knock all of the scale and yuck out of the cooling system? You might want to try another flush, which is very easy for a DIYer to do and here is a link below explaining how to do it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

If you decide to go with a head gasket sealant, the only one that I would recommend would be Blue Devil, which you can pick up at any auto parts store. It costs a little more than the other brands, but has a much higher success rate if you follow the directions to a "T". Please get back to us with what you decide to do and how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Sunday, February 9th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM