Re: How Do I Determine if Coolant is in Engine Oil?

my son had a 97 mustang with the 3.8. We never saw a leak and the reservoir
stayed ok but eventually the motor overheated and was destroyed. The ford
dealer replaced the motor for free because the front cover had leaked and
Ford had an extended warranty for that defect.
"KC" <clemke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1138652348.367464.183860@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> I think coolant is contaminating my van's engine oil.
>
> The oil on the dipstick looks black as it should, the oil on the bottom
> of the filler cap was more brown than black, but not milky. The engine
> slowly loses coolant over a period of 30 - 45 days. The temp gauge
> never climbs, but I know the coolant level has dropped because the
> heater starts blowing cold air when the engine as at idle. You only get
> warm air if the car is being driven. I never see any leaks, or find any
> coolant on the ground. The cooling system was pressure tested. The
> mechanic said it held the pressure fine. The vehicle is a 1998 Ford
> Windstar with the 3.8L engine, 140,000 miles.
>
> My questions:
>
> 1. Is the oil on the bottom of the filler cap telling me the coolant is
> in the oil?
>
> 2. Would I have to send an oil sample to be analyzed to be absolutely
> sure the oil is getting contaminated?
>
> 3, If the mechanic determines that coolant has been contaminating the
> engine oil for the past few months, would I be tossing money away to
> get the van fixed due to damage the coolant may have done to the
> engine?
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice
>


.

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