Anti-freeze in Oil!

[WillKool1080]

Not too long ago, I found that I ran out of coolant in my reserve. No biggie, went to Duke of Oil, and had my radiator flushed, and new coolant put in. However, less than a day later, I checked the reserve, and I was out again! Got another frush, and the same thing happened. The car is running hot all the time, and when I turn the heat on, it blows cold air! And I never quite found out where the coolent was going.

Oh well I figured, got some distilled water to use as coolant, still dissapeared, but whatever. Then, I checked my oil, and found good ol' Dexcool anti-freeze and water in it! Not good at all!

I am thinking either the head gasket or the thermostat.

I have a 1996 Olds Cutlass Supreme with a 3.1 L.

What do you guys think?

William

By the way, How much damage do you think the engine has considering I drove it with anti-freeze and water in the oil for about 350 miles.

[GMMerlin]

You may just have an intake gasket leaking internally causing your problem.
Water in the oil is not a good thing. Probally some damage has occurred.
I would suggest that you have the oil pan removed and the main and rod bearings checked for unusual wear.

[bgchrs2004]

thermostat?? i dont see how that would let coolant into the oil...anyways if the tailpipe has white smoke coming out then its probably a head gasket.... could also be a intake gasket likegmmerlin said.. just hope its not a cracked head or block....

[The Burning Rom]

My money is on the intake gasket...they've never been a strong point in the 3100 motors.

[Genopsyde]

agreed, but if you're losing all the coolant in less than a day, i highly doubt it just the gasket, sounds like a big gap in the head/block

[brenscars]

I have a 1998 Cutlass 3.1 that blew the intake manifold gasket at 19,000 miles. Coolant was running all over the place underneath. Never had water in the oil though. Do you smell a burnt anti-freeze smell? I have got a 97 Chevy truck as well and it has been eating coolant more than normal, but I have that burnt coolant smell when it's warmed up. Mechanic says it's the manifold gasket on it's way out. You may have bad head gaskets. Your symtoms are classic for that. Hope this helps?

[theragtopguy]

The intake gaskets are notorious for leaking on these motors. That's would I would suspect first. If not that, then the head gasket.

Symptoms definitely indicate one or the other. I'd do the intake and see it it still happens afterwards.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Good luck.

[96cutlasssupreme]

I also have a 96 Cutlass Supreme 3.1 and I also suffered from your same issues. After exchanging the whole cooling system, pump, thermostat (s), radiator, temp sensor. I still ran hot and then I began having tranee problems. Now I am in need of new heads. The old ones are cracked and cannot be milled. I suggest changing your head gasket and possibly checking your AT solnoids.

[maxwedge]

Please look at thewdates on the threads, this is very old and dead.