Coolant in my Oil

[craigw71]

Guys,
I have a milkshake problem. Last year I replaced the Head gaskets along with the UIM and LIM gaskets and torqued with a torque wrench. I did not replace the UIM itself as it looked to be in pretty good shape.
I am now thinking that it has gone south and causing the coolant to get into the oil. The car is not missing on any cylinders and no smoke from the exhaust, just milkshake oil.
How close am I on diagnosing this? I have ordered an UIM from APN today and will replace it as soon as it arrives.
How do I go about getting the milkshake out of my engine?
Thanks,
Craig

[richtazz]

UIM issues on the 3800 do not normally cause coolant to get in the oil. This is usually caused by the LIM gaskets at the coolant transfer ports between the heads and LIM. UIM issues usually cause either an external leak below the throttle body, or coolant in the cylinders (usually #5 and #6 as they are closest to the problem area). It is possible that coolant sitting in the cylinder after shut-off is seeping past the rings and getting in the oil causing the milkshake effect over time, but normally by the time the coolant loss gets that bad, you have steam coming from the exhaust and relatively fast coolant loss.

[Jrs3800]

Hopeful that by now you have gotten some cheapie supertech oil or the like.... Mader sure the cooling system was empty... Drained the oil and yanked the filter... Replacing the filter with a Supertech Cheapie... Filling the motor and allowing it to run for a minute to clean the nasty stuff from the bearings.. It may save your motor...

Let us know what you find...

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by richtazz

UIM issues on the 3800 do not normally cause coolant to get in the oil. This is usually caused by the LIM gaskets at the coolant transfer ports between the heads and LIM.

What brand LIM gaskets were installed and did you follow the proper bolt tightening sequence and torque value in the FSM?

What brand UIM gaskets did you use the first time around?

BTW - After replacing all the parts, gaskets, etc. and doing an immediate oil and filter change add some Seafoam to the crankcase. The instructions are on the can. IMO good stuff to help get old coolant and water out of the engine.

Then do another oil and filter change.

[craigw71]

I dont know the brand but it was the upgraded ones purchased as a kit from the dealer. Aluminum LIM and Plastic UIM gasket set. Proper sequence was followed and a torque wrench was used.

Should I go back in and replce the LIM gaskets again?

I'll try the Seafoam, have not heard anything bad about it yet.

the part should be in Tuesday and I will do the fix over a couple nights.

[Pornogratherapy]

Seafoam works wonders.

[BNaylor]

Regardless, the best thing to do is a teardown and do a careful inspection especially of the LIM port gaskets. Head gaskets could cause a similar issue. I haven't heard of any solid negative issues with the GM aluminum framed LIM gaskets but you never know for sure and there is anecdotal info on the web people are having issues with them. I lost faith in GM/Delco gaskets so I use the FelPro aftermarket brand only.