1996 Saturn SL2 engine oil in coolant reservoir

Tiny
AKITZMAN
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  • 1996 SATURN SL2
Engine Cooling problem
1996 Saturn SL2 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

my fiance's saturn sl2 has oil in the coolant reservoir. Lots of it. It is black. There is no white smoke from the exhaust. The temp gauge acts normal the dipstick has nothing but oil on it and there seems to be no noticeable symptoms. Possible causes?
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 6:42 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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First of all thank u so much for ur donation. Are u sure u have a sl2 and not a sl1 does the spark plug wires go straight up out of the cam cover or at a angle facing u when u open the hood let me know.
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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
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It is definately an sl2. The oil is just a layer at the top of the reservoir. The reservoir is mostly coolant.I took a straw and kind of moved it around a little. It seems to be quite a bit thicker and sludgier than motor oil. Although i'm not sure what chemical effect antifreeze has on oil.I wondered about the possibility of it being broken down old antifreeze. Last night it looked thicker, but the first time I dipped my finger in it it looked like nasty black motor oil
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Monday, May 3rd, 2010 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That's highly un usual to oil in ur coolant on a sl2 pretty common on the sl1 they get cracks in there head in the number 3 or 4 cam journel and leak oil in the coolant. But to see that on the sl2 is wierd. They put Ginger root in the coolant from factory to help with leaks and people always used to come in saying thy had oil in the coolant but it was just the Ginger root. It's hard to say because I can't see and touch it. Maybe someone at sometime even accidently put some oil in there by mistake.I have seen people put water in the oil and oil in the water that is possible.I would flush the coolant out first and see what it looks like after words. With a radiator flush. What's the last 8 of ur vin number so I can tell u which coolant to use because the 96 in the early cars used green coolant and the later cars used dex cool. Let me know.
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Monday, May 3rd, 2010 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
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The 8th digit is 7. Not sure about the digits after that.I would think if it was something like ginger root or dex cool mixing with another coolant that it would have showed up by now. Of course. It would still show up after a radiator flush wouldn't it.I would think it would be down in all sorts of ports and water jackets. She had the oil changed at walmart.I can flush it and see what happens. It's got 179k on it. Of course.I can see some disgruntled high school kid at wal mart dumping a little oil in there. Very possible.I'll flush it and see. Any other possibilities?
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Monday, May 3rd, 2010 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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No I need the last eight of ur vin it will start with tz then six more numbers then I can tell u which coolant to get. Other possibilitys are cracked head. Let's hope for the flush and see where that takes us. Let me know what the last eight of ur vin is.
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Monday, May 3rd, 2010 AT 11:00 PM
Tiny
MICHELLELISA
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I have an SL1 same year 1996 and it appears there is oil in my coolant reservoir. It has almost 300 thousand on it. This morning the check engine light came on as soon as I started my car. It was a quart low on oil after I put in the quart and drove to my work and back I went to check the oil again and the dip stick was burning hot. The check engine light remains on. Any ideas on this would be greatly appreciated.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2015 AT 11:13 AM

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