Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    cbq64's Avatar
    cbq64 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 16, 2011, 12:10 PM
    Oil in Radiator?
    I just bought a 1988 Pontiac Bonneville for my daughter (all she could afford), yesterday. My husband went to check the water in the radiator and called me to tell me that there is oil(?) in the radiator. What should I do? Would it be oil, or could it be something else? :confused:
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,490, Reputation: 2853
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    May 16, 2011, 12:16 PM

    It is grayish in color... or pinkish?

    Grayish does sound like oil. That is usually a head gasket failing. Pinkish is transmission fluid, and means its new radiator time as the trans cooler is usually in the radiator ( and trans servicing time as well to be sure no water got in there)
    cbq64's Avatar
    cbq64 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    May 16, 2011, 12:33 PM

    Thank you so much. After fixing, then just flush radiator? Or what? Sorry, not my area of smarts!
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,490, Reputation: 2853
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    May 16, 2011, 12:39 PM

    Depends... if it's the head gasket yes. (NOT a small job)... if it's the radiator cooler because its pinkish... you would be replacing the radiator to fix it.


    But a cooling system flush in either case would be in order after fixing the problem... because coolant is in the engine.. the hoses and heater core.
    rtccook's Avatar
    rtccook Posts: 3, Reputation: -1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    May 19, 2011, 12:44 PM
    Sounds like a blowen head gasket.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Oil in radiator/ radiator is crack [ 3 Answers ]

My radiator has a crack on the side so we been putting in water but now it looks like there is some kind oil and gook in the radiator. Can any one try to help me with his problem

4runner Oil in Radiator [ 7 Answers ]

My Toyota manual, diesel 4Runner has oil in the radiator, my mechanic has done everything, new head gasket, machined the head for warp, pressure tested the engine block, but the engine oil is still leaking into the radiator, he reckons the engine block has a crack but the engine power when I drive...

I have exterior oil leak... not into radiator which oil sealant is the best for a car? [ 1 Answers ]

Doesn't leak internally

Oil in radiator [ 6 Answers ]

I was coming back from doctors office when my 1998 Jeep Cherokee cut off on me. I had it towed back to the house when my husband discovered what looked to be oil in the radiator. I had no problems with the jeep until the point in time. So I'm being told the head is bad. Any suggestions would...

Oil in radiator [ 28 Answers ]

My wife's car (98 Buick Century) was just diagnosed with oil leaking into the radiator. We took it into a place because the heater stopped working. Can anyone give me an idea of what the repair would need to be and the approximate cost?

View more questions Search