1992 Chevy Lumina Oil in the Radiator

TOECUTTER

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1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
250,000 MILES

There is an oily sludge that collects on the radiator cap over a period of 4 days or so. The oil looks low on the dipstick but no foam or froth is on it. The oil is clean. Is this indicative of a blown head gasket?

Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 8:23 PM

6 Replies

OBXAUTOMEDIC

MECHANIC
3,711 POSTS

Hello,

Yes, it is.

But,

What color is the sludge and does it smell like Oil or Tranny Fluid?

.

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Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 8:32 PM

TOECUTTER

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4 POSTS

It's not very dark sludge, like a coffee w/cream color. The smell is sort of hard to tell, doesn't really smell like oil OR tranny fluid. Almost looks like some sort of grease by the consistency of it.

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Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 8:45 PM

OBXAUTOMEDIC

MECHANIC
3,711 POSTS

Ok, I am pretty sure it is the head gasket.

You say the oil was low when you first noticed the problem. Have you filled it or just noticed the oil was lower each time.

If not have you checked the tranny fluid?

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Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 9:50 PM

TOECUTTER

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Transmission fluid is good, checked that 3 days ago. Just the oil is about 1/4 to 1/3 down from the top mark. I'll fill it and monitor.

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Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 10:24 PM

TOECUTTER

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4 POSTS

Yes, it appears that the oil that is getting into the rad. Topped the oil up and cleaned the rad cap off. 5 days later and the oil is down a bit and the rad cap has more gunk on the inside of it. Though the gunk may have already been in the cooling system prior to me topping the oil up.