1997 Cadillac Catera oil in water

Tiny
CODYBILLS
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CADILLAC CATERA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I just got this car, a friend gave it to me he told me he didnt know what was wrong with it, it wont start, has oil in the water tank but dont seem to have water in the oil, what could this be?
Sunday, September 27th, 2009 AT 11:00 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You need to get it block and pressure tested could be a blown headgasket cracked head or block, intake manifold leak-
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Sunday, September 27th, 2009 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
By not starting, give some more info. Does it crank and not start, or no crank and no start. The oil in the water is more than likely a leaking heat exchanger(oil cooler) in the valley of the engine.
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Sunday, September 27th, 2009 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
CODYBILLS
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  • 2 POSTS
It wont start, acts like it wants to, but just wont, if it was the oil cooler would it still start? If it is the head gasket how much would this cost around to take it some where and let them do it? Thxxss
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 AT 4:10 AM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
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  • 4,159 POSTS
Yes it would start if it was the oil cooler, and probably if it was a head gasket, unless that was severely letting water in the cylinders. If it was a head gasket, you would more likely have water in the oil, unless the leak was where pressurized oil was passing to the upper end. That is a pretty small area. On the other hand, a greater chance of pressurized cooling water passing into oil drain passages from the head is more probable. The reason I speculate oil cooler, is because the oil is pressurized, and most of the time higher than cooling system pressure(at least at higher rpm's). The cooling system would also remain pressurized until the engine cools. Try pulling back one of the air snorkel tubes and spraying some carb cleaner or starter fluid in the throttle opening, and see if it starts. That would indicate a lack of fuel. If you can have it scanned for codes, it could have a failed crank sensor, as well. 97 Catera did have an issue with head gasket leaks, but it was generally external, due to stampings in the block deck at the sealing surface.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 AT 9:28 PM

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