Oil in the water

[Jim P]

I took my 1999 GA GT with 17000 miles to the dealer to have the dreaded manifold gasket replaced. When I took it in it only had a little coolant puddling on the right side. No water in the oil or oil in the water. After I got it back about 2 days later I checked the water level and found oil in the water tank. Anybody know what went wrong?

[Jim P]

Oops, I left a 0 off the miles it is 170,000

[willbird]

Well, until you take it back and force them to flush the system, and see if it re-appears again, it seems to me you don't know if it got in there from the repair and wasnt properly flushed out, or it is GETTING in there from a leak :-)

We can only hope they just did a sloppy job flushing the system.

Also did you mean you found oil in the overflow tank ?? or the radiator ??...either one could be the same story, also some lazy so and so could have used a funnel dirty with motor oil to fill the coolant system.


Bill

[Jim P]

It was in the overflow tank, like pure motor oil. I took it back this afternoon. Will call them tomorrow. When I read the TSB and all the posts I thought that being so sensitive to doing everything right it should be a dealer job (teach me to think). I will find out tomorrow if they can tell what went wrong.

[Jim P]

When I stuck my finger in the overflow tank it was like pure motor oil. The service advisor said he didn't know how it could have gotten there like that with no water in the oil and no apparent leaks. I talked to them this afternoon they had flushed the system and were running it to see if it re-appears. When I took it in for the first repair I took them green antifreeze and 5qts of my special oil that they don't stock. The motor only holds 4 and a little so it makes me wonder where they put the rest of the quart. I was expecting it back and didn't get it.

[Jim P]

Got the car back today. Thay flushed the system and everything looks good. I will watch it close to make sure nothing re-appears.

[Jim P]

Took the car back to the dealer. Oil was back in the water. They are standing behind their work and doing the whole job over. This time with their most experienced mechanic.

[bszopi]

Glad to hear that they are going to take care of it. Sucks that it is back though... Hopefully it will all end up for the better.

[Jim P]

Fortunatly I can get by without it for a while. My old work truck is running well.

[Jim P]

Got the car back Saturday morning and am watching it. So Far So Good.

[Jim P]

4 days, no oil in water and no water in the oil. I can put this thread to bed.

[bszopi]

Glad to hear its all fixed. Sad to see it was the dealership's fault in the first place.

[tractorman]

That's interesting though... makes ya' wonder how the oil was gettin' in there...

[Jim P]

Not knowing how the oil and water passages in the head match up to the manifold gasket and manifold I have no idea how the oil was getting to the water. But I give the dealer high marks for standing behind the job and making it good. After reading how particular it was to get this job just right I made the decision to have the dealer do it and in hindsite I am glad I did.