Oil in Anti-Freeze

Hi,

My "Service Engine Soon" light came on and I did a search in your forum to see what others have done when this happened. Turns out it was my gas cap. I thought it might be my head gasket because there is oil in my anti-freeze. I asked the mechanics at Surgenor Pontiac Buick (took the car there to have the codes read). None of the mechanics had ever heard of oil in the anti-freeze, they said it usually is the other way around, anti-freeze in the oil if it's a head gasket issue. Can anyone here tell me if they have ever heard of the opposit? Do you know why oil would leak into the anti-freeze and what it would mean?

Thanks,

Nicole

I would think that would also be possible with a head gasket problem. But for now, I would just flush the anti-freeze and then see what happens.

What year car do you drive and does the car have Dexcool antifreeze in it? Dexcool will develop an oily sludge in the overflow tank and in the radiator or anywhere it is exposed to air. The general assumption is that this is oil and not sludge. I would clean it out and then keep tabs on it. If it returns or you notice that the oil is going down then investigate it further.

I would think that would also be possible with a head gasket problem. But for now, I would just flush the anti-freeze and then see what happens.
That's what I thought of doing, flushing and see if it reoccures.

Thanks for the support. :)

What year car do you drive and does the car have Dexcool antifreeze in it? Dexcool will develop an oily sludge in the overflow tank and in the radiator or anywhere it is exposed to air. The general assumption is that this is oil and not sludge. I would clean it out and then keep tabs on it. If it returns or you notice that the oil is going down then investigate it further.
It's a 1999 Grand AM SE. The antifreeze originally in it was a greenish colour, I put in Prestone premix to top it off. I thought of flushing it and then see if it happens again, the "sludge" looks exactly like that, sludge, not oil. Other mechanics said it was my head gasket, then the dealership mechanic said it wasn't because I still have heat, have not overheated, etc. Doesn't seem to be anything wrong except the mysterious oily substance in the reservoir tank...
Have not had to top up the oil, had three oil changes since buying it in June 2005, those guys never said anything about the car's oil or any issues re: oil. Think I'll just take everyone's advice and flush the anti-freeze then watch it and see what happens. Thanks to everyone who responded. :)

I had the same problem about 2 weeks ago.. I took it to the dealer and they assured me there is no possible way oil can get into the coolant. They said "Dexcool" especially the Pink coolant will cause an "Oil-like" sludge. So they removed my resovoir bottle and they emptied it. There was very minimal sludge. Everything appears to be fine for now.

Hi,

My "Service Engine Soon" light came on and I did a search in your forum to see what others have done when this happened. Turns out it was my gas cap. I thought it might be my head gasket because there is oil in my anti-freeze. I asked the mechanics at Surgenor Pontiac Buick (took the car there to have the codes read). None of the mechanics had ever heard of oil in the anti-freeze, they said it usually is the other way around, anti-freeze in the oil if it's a head gasket issue. Can anyone here tell me if they have ever heard of the opposit? Do you know why oil would leak into the anti-freeze and what it would mean?

Thanks,

Nicole