Oil in Coolant

[Edster4103!]

I’m a newbie here and need some help. I have a 2017 Subaru Impreza Sport with 179,000 miles. During an oil change this weekend, I noticed that my coolant reservoir looked brown, similar to coffee. When I opened the radiator cap, I saw the same brown substance.

I had eight coolant flushes done, and while it looked slightly better, I’m still not comfortable driving the car. I've been advised to change the engine oil coolant, but I need to empty the oil and radiator first . The mechanic thinks that since my car hasn’t overheated or produced white smoke from the tailpipe, changing the part might resolve the issue. There are two caps on the Subaru: one near the reservoir and another on the opposite side, where I filmed the picture from. Any advice very appreciated! Thanks

 

[bmart]

I don't precisely understand your note, but if there is oil in the coolant (not just brown water/rust), or coolant in the oil (will look like a milkshake), you have a bad head gasket that you should fix ASAP to avoid additional damage. If you do not have proof of either of these mixes, you likely just have rust. You can check/test it easily.

 

[DragonWagon]

I’m a newbie here and need some help. I have a 2017 Subaru Impreza Sport with 179,000 miles. During an oil change this weekend, I noticed that my coolant reservoir looked brown, similar to coffee. When I opened the radiator cap, I saw the same brown substance.

I had eight coolant flushes done, and while it looked slightly better, I’m still not comfortable driving the car. I've been advised to change the engine oil coolant, but I need to empty the oil and radiator first . The mechanic thinks that since my car hasn’t overheated or produced white smoke from the tailpipe, changing the part might resolve the issue. There are two caps on the Subaru: one near the reservoir and another on the opposite side, where I filmed the picture from. Any advice very appreciated! Thanks

im sorry to say that picture reaaally looks like oil in your coolant. if your mechanic isnt recommending you replace the head gaskets you should get a second opinion. you might have to replace the motor if you keep running it like this!

 

[Edster4103!]

Good morning thanks to all, I took the car to shop to get a second look yesterday and they checked the motor oil and there is no trace of coolant. They recommended doing another flush and replacing the engine oil cooler which I’m going to do on my own. He said let’s go this route first and see.

 

[bmart]

If he's right, that's a lot cheaper!

 

[Edster4103!]

Very affordable for sure. I've never ever since this in my cars, I found this video yesterday

it doesnt look very difficult to change. Just need to be careful with the draining. On this video he mentioned he added a little dish soap into the radio to help clear. What do you think about this suggestion? Also once I empty the radiator would be wise to use clear water to help with this clearing? I appreciate all your inputs, these forums are a lifesaver.

 

[bmart]

There are well known ways and chemical to do this. Don't jerry rig it. It is a very simple thing to do. Even the Prestone treatment works really well and costs $10.

 

[Rattlenbang]

Oil cooler is a big suspect, but at the same time you can't discount head gasket issue. Not having coolant in the oil isn't definitive. If a gasket let's go between oil and coolant passages, oil has much higher pressure and will flow oil to coolant rather than the opposite. Before replacing parts, has anyone pressure tested the cooling system?

 

[manicmechanic007]

Upper oil pan O rings are the most common for oil in the coolant

 

[msg]

I’m a newbie here and need some help. I have a 2017 Subaru Impreza Sport with 179,000 miles. During an oil change this weekend, I noticed that my coolant reservoir looked brown, similar to coffee. When I opened the radiator cap, I saw the same brown substance.

I had eight coolant flushes done, and while it looked slightly better, I’m still not comfortable driving the car. I've been advised to change the engine oil coolant, but I need to empty the oil and radiator first . The mechanic thinks that since my car hasn’t overheated or produced white smoke from the tailpipe, changing the part might resolve the issue. There are two caps on the Subaru: one near the reservoir and another on the opposite side, where I filmed the picture from. Any advice very appreciated! Thanks

Coolant mixed w/oil is a major Red Flag... typically, blown head gasket. How you can drive around w/out overheating, and the mention of no white exhaust cloud is a mystery, though.

 

[keith3267]

You better have the transmission fluid checked. The oil could be ATF. ATF is cooled by a small heat exchange located in the bottom tank of the radiator. Un fortunately, you can no longer just pull a dipstick to check the ATF. The vehicle has to go on a lift and a fill level plug has to be pulled to check.

 

[Rattlenbang]

You better have the transmission fluid checked. The oil could be ATF. ATF is cooled by a small heat exchange located in the bottom tank of the radiator. Un fortunately, you can no longer just pull a dipstick to check the ATF. The vehicle has to go on a lift and a fill level plug has to be pulled to check.

I thought about that as well, but if that were the case he'd be having tranny problems straight away.

 

[manicmechanic007]

Right, the trans won't last long with coolant / antifreeze in the trans fluid
The exchange is oil in coolant, not coolant in oil
And if you think about the pressures that operate in the oil pan
and
Those O rings, it just about has to be the upper oil pan O rings at fault
The ones I've seen were running long enough to make the whole cooling system be fouled with oil (weeks)

 

[keith3267]

I thought about that as well, but if that were the case he'd be having tranny problems straight away.

I can't discern from his post just how long this has been going on or how severe the leak is. You are right that he will have tranny issues very soon. But if this just happened and the leak is still small, he will be doing damage to the transmission and it may already be affecting the vehicles performance, but he just hasn't noticed it yet. I say check, better safe than sorry.