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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Some of you will know from my previous post that my local VX dealer found a large amount of oil in my coolant (expansion tank).

I was totally unaware of this and quite surprised by his findings. I usually check the coolant level once a week.......and had spotted nothing amiss.

Oil cooler failure says the mechanic.....that will be £487 please, Sir. :-/ :-/. I declined.

Marks DTM has kindly offered to rectify the problem for me as soon as he retuns from his jollies.

Following his sage advice and using Mr Tunnie's maintenance guide I have repeatedly drained the cooling system. After some half dozen flushes I ended up with pure clear water. I also removed the expansion tank and thoroughly cleaned it. It is now as clean and sweet-smelling as a virgin's honey-pot. I then refilled with water ( Zero anti-freeze in the coolant at present)

I have used the car for a number of short journey's since. Necessary journeys of a few miles only, adding up to about 100 miles in total. Upon lifting the bonnet I expected to find the expansion tank and radiator thick with engine oil again.........BUT NO...... :-? :-?

There is a slight  greasy discolouration on the inside of the tank.......but by and large the water in the tank is still clear. Hmmm. How is this possible?.

Mrs Opti informs me the answer is glaringly obvious, but apparently I'm too thick to fathom it out. When the car was at VX.........( insert your answer here)....I hope this is not the case.  :-/ :-/

[tunnie]

Very odd, going from those photos you posted on the other thread, that had a considerable amount of oil in the system  :-/

Oil level ok?

I hate garages, mother T took her estate to local town garage for a service last year. A week later I took a look over it, they said they changed the oil, was too dark for my liking.

I changed it, a month later, oil still clean!

It would not surprise me garages making up work 

[Kevin Wood]

The question is: How long did it take to get that oily?

It might have built up over months, in which case 100 miles may not have been enough to make a noticeable difference. Then again, you say you check it regularly... :-/

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Very odd, going from those photos you posted on the other thread, that had a considerable amount of oil in the system  :-/

Oil level ok?

I hate garages, mother T took her estate to local town garage for a service last year. A week later I took a look over it, they said they changed the oil, was too dark for my liking.

I changed it, a month later, oil still clean!

It would not surprise me garages making up work 

Up to max on the dipstick.....as always. I check it regularly. Also, when I drained the coolant from the rad, it appeared to be more water and anti-freeze .......rather than oil ...water ...and anti freeze.


I should add, the trip from the dealer to my home is only 9 miles. You saw the pictures I posted. Hmmm.

[JamesV6CDX]

clean and sweet-smelling as a virgin's honey-pot.

You have a way with words, Opti!!

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

The question is: How long did it take to get that oily?

It might have built up over months, in which case 100 miles may not have been enough to make a noticeable difference. Then again, you say you check it regularly... :-/

Yes, good point Kevin. When Vx changed the cambelt and water pump  they obviously refilled with fresh coolant. The pictures on my previous thread were taken nine miles later. They show a lot of oil in the expansion tank.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Here are two photographs. Before and after.

9 Miles after Vx cambelt change



Roughly 100 miles after draining the system. I did not use a professional degreaser, so there could still be a few traces of oil in there.

[Kevin Wood]

In that case it does look suspicious. :-/ Omegas don't generally make a habit of fixing themselves, more's the pity.

[Gaffers]

I think this needs investigating properly.  I don't suppose you have any of the original sludge and a friend who works as a chemist by any chance.  It would be great to see if they had done.something unethical and then prove it......

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I think this needs investigating properly.  I don't suppose you have any of the original sludge and a friend who works as a chemist by any chance.  It would be great to see if they had done.something unethical and then prove it......

Sadly, no, Guffer. How long is it safe to run a car without anti-freeze? I was thinking more about possible corrosion than the coming cold weather at present.

[tunnie]

I'd take it back around the garage and say look, no oil after 100 miles, how could that have happened?

Show them before and after photos & ask them what the hell the did when it was in your care. Bluff a bit and say you will involve trading standards 

[F1 9LFG]

could they have topped up the oil but actually added oil to the water header tank? after all, an inexperienced tech could have got slightly confused?!

Inexperience...

[feeutfo]

Oil in header tank does not look emulsified or churned up by the water pump and being sent round the system. It's just laying on top, and no oil initially when draining the rad would tend to back up the sabotage theory...  :-/

[Andy H]

Another possibility.

VX fit new cam belt. Mechanic gives engine plenty of revs with cold engine to 'test' his handiwork.

Cold oil + high rpm = high oil pressure.

Oil cooler squirts a cup full of oil into coolant which floats to the surface.

Problem hasn't recurred since because you haven't revved to 5500 with cold oil (and are never likely to)

[Marks DTM Calib]

I would keep an eye on it for a week or so, if still ok then add antifreeze and keep running it.

It could have been an old failure which has not been well flushed.