Milky oil inside the engine

Tiny
BRYANP88
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 SATURN VUE
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 180,000 MILES
I just had my valve cover removed in the process of replacing my timing chain tension-er, and the inside of my engine is milky. I was told that it could be my head gasket or either my oil cooler gone bad. It runs really smooth still. Even the mechanic said that it is hard to believe that the head gasket is blown with it running so smoothly. I do not want to have to spend the money on getting a head gasket replaced if it the oil cooler. How can I know for sure which one it is? Any idea will be greatly appreciated.
Saturday, February 4th, 2017 AT 4:18 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
The oil is milky or like the oil cap and surfaces?

If the PCV is not sucking properly this might happen.

Do you have good suction at the PCV?

Grommets sealing, not torn, pulled loose. Hoses connected, no kinks, old rubber hoses sucking flat (shut)?
Fresh air line is open and clear?

The system just will not work unless everything is sealed off, fresh air replenishing the "bad air' that gets sucked out of the engine.

The Medic
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Saturday, February 4th, 2017 AT 5:53 PM
Tiny
BRYANP88
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The oil was thick like a milk shake, all over. All the hoses and things seem firm and proper. Would you recommend me try the oil cooler first? Just as a process of elimination.
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Saturday, February 4th, 2017 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If you have a 2.2 four cylinder in that they do not have an oil cooler. Do you have a 2.2 four cylinder engine?
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Saturday, February 4th, 2017 AT 9:42 PM

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