94 Celica - oil gets dirty

Hi all:

On the other day, I noticed that engine oil is running really really low so I changed the oil. Few days before I run out of coolent. Not sure if they are all related. Now i noticed that engine oil is really dirty. I driven olny 300 miles with new oil.
No visible sign of current oil lick. It was repaired for blown head gasket. It had prior transmission oil lick which was repaired and resealed.
please help to diagnose.

MJ

I'd say your low coolant problem and nasty oil problem are related. Whoever did the headgasket either didn't do something right, or the head was cracked and it was overlooked..

Thanks for the response. i did not see any visible oil leaking. Do you think I should spend money on fixing it just get rid of it. i also noticed that engine temperature is not steady. It goes up and down in the middle of driving. Thanks.

MJ

It hard to say whether or not to fix it or scrap it. It depends on car value, cost of repair, you, etc.. As for the temperature fluctuation, that points towards a sticking thermostat. If this is the case and it isn't repaired soon, you'll likely be replacing the gasket and/or head again. It seems the car may be on it's last leg unless major repairs are done. I say start looking for another car/truck/etc. and drive it 'til it dies. If thats the case, go ahead and put a thermostat in it anyway. It'll get you some more miles out of it.

Hello there:

I have discovered new things today. It is 7 degree in delaware. When I was driving 70 mph on the highway the temperature shows less then halfway which is usual. All of a sudden when i got to the bad traffic driving 5 mph temperature started to rise up to halfway. Then when I hit speed at 70 mph again the temperature went down to all the way to the lowest point. I could not get it up at all. I felt that heater was not blowing that much of hot air. But car was driving fine. when i got to traffic light it started to rise again up to a quarter point. When i got home i checked te water and oil level and they all look good. any clue? This is making me really nervous. i have to commute 50 miles each way everyday. Please help.

MJ

That does sound a little odd. It does, however, resemble a failing thermostat.

Clogged or restricted radiator, low coolant level, fan not working, debri in radiator fins, worn water pump are some of the reasons for the temperature fluctuation.
Low coolant level is also one of many reasons for the heater not to work.
Running rich, internally dirty motor are a couple of reasons for the oil to be dirty after a short period of time.