Author Topic: frustrated with oil in coolant issue-1985 1.6TD mechanical (Read 8147 times)

dieseldubber · « **on:** September 21, 2007, 12:21:50 pm »

the symptoms...
-oil in coolant/do not think coolant is in oil
-increased oil consumption
-more black smoke coming from tailpipe
-temp gauge rising a little more easily (could be me obsessing about it)
-no noticeable power loss

Initially noticed oil when replacing a burst rad hose (drained coolant).
Subsequently changed another small hose which had a leak.
Not surprised because hoses were likely original and oil deteriorates rubber.
I tried pressure testing oil cooler with no results.
I may try a different method of testing the cooler (frustrating process).
Tried starting up cold engine and placing my hand over the expansion tank to see if exhaust gas was pressurizing the system/feeling hoses for hardness with negative results.
Coolant smells like coolant pretty much.

This car is mint, the original owner put approx. 150,000km on it and I bought it less than a year ago from him. the oil level drops only 1/4 to 1/2 between 4000km oil changes but I now seem to be topping it off weekly depending on amount of driving. I hope its the cooler but am now suspecting the head gasket. I have been driving the car like this for a month and a few two hour trips with no problems but I continually check the temp, coolant and oil levels. I do not want to proceed with a fix before knowing for sure which is leaking. Any help with diagnosis would be appreciated. Thanks and this website rocks. I love these cars!!

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2007, 05:41:00 pm »

i personally would change the oil cooler. and if that doesn't solve the problem, install a new headgasket and or get the head checked.

rallydiesel · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2007, 05:59:57 pm »

You should also do a compression test on all cylinders. You can buy a diesel tester for pretty cheap off ebay.

saurkraut · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2007, 05:12:38 am »

See if you can get a used cooler and swap it out to eliminate that possibility.

There is a possibility that the head gasket is toast at the back of the head, in the corners, where the oil return passages are are. Or from the high pressure supply passage in the front of the head.

It won't affect the compression.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2007, 11:08:24 am »

When the engine is up to temp and you start it up with the oil filler cap removed do you have white smoke billowing out?

If you do does it get your hands black if you put it in the smoke?

dieseldubber · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2007, 04:36:18 pm »

I tried the last suggested test and when the engine was not running a bit of white "smoke" was coming out yes but definetly not billowing and it did not turn my hand black. it did not turn my hand black. I also tried running the engine with the oil cap removed and I don't know if that was some kind of joke or something cause the oil was splashing over the engine bay.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2007, 04:59:11 pm »

No it was not a joke. It sounds like you don't have the cam cover piece on the top of your camshaft. It helps reduce oil consumption. Almost all post 86 engines (gas and diesel) have them installed. I'd recommend adding one, although it will not do anything for your current problem.

dieseldubber · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2007, 09:24:54 pm »

ya I don't have that piece. I did know that but I didn't even think about it when I ran it with the cap off. oops. So I guess my results were inconclusive again. I'm beginning to think I just need to do the Head Gasket and the Oil Cooler to be safe but that sucks.

jtanguay · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2007, 12:35:42 am »

Quote from: "dieseldubber"

ya I don't have that piece. I did know that but I didn't even think about it when I ran it with the cap off. oops. So I guess my results were inconclusive again. I'm beginning to think I just need to do the Head Gasket and the Oil Cooler to be safe but that sucks.

do the oil cooler first. even if its just the headgasket, it is good preventative maintenance. they are a weak point. hopefully it is your oil cooler! without a/c it is a little bit harder than an oil change. clamp the coolant hoses off from the oil cooler (dont use direct vice grips as they will chew up the hose... need something smooth) and you dont even need to flush the coolant system (although it is recommended)

27mm socket for the oil cooler nut?

burn_your_money · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2007, 09:27:40 am »

If you are spending $80 on an oil warmer why not just replace it with an air/oil cooler?

dieseldubber · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2007, 06:34:50 am »

ok good suggestions thanks. I think i will replace the cooler first. I dont know anything about the air-oil cooler can you tell me more like where do get one and if its OEM? Thanks guys.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:20:15 am »

go to a junkyard and find a couple. or find a car without a heat exchanger (oil cooler) and just set it up to not have one for testing purposes. find a friend with a working one and try that one. i personally wouldn't drop the money on a new part like that without knowing if its the cause for sure. i've never come across a heat exchanger that has failed... they just loosen off. but i know other people have had them fail. get a bentley manual if you don't have one with the money you didn't spend on a new heat exchanger.

dieseldubber · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2007, 07:21:16 pm »

ya I know I don't want to buy a new one but all the testing and searching is a pain and the problem is probably putting more and more oil into the system. I just want to get er done and I have a Bentley. What I need is more mechanical skills but I am working on that.

dieseldubber · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2007, 09:16:36 pm »

So I still have this problem. I had a compression test done and the results were 440-460-440-440. I think that is fine right? The bentley says lower compression in one or two adjacent cylinders is a sign of a failed headgasket so that turned out well I think. I picked up a new oil cooler for $60, plan on swaping out the old one and flushing the coolant. Any suggestions on how to flush out the oil? Thanks

jackbombay · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2007, 10:39:35 pm »

Quote from: "dieseldubber"

Any suggestions on how to flush out the oil? Thanks

Take one hose off the oil cooler (you'll already have them both off) and press a garden hose up tight against the end of the hose and run clean water through the engine till it runs clear. But drain the engine before you do that and catch the coolant/water coming out of the engine in a bucket till its mostly water.