Possible Head Gasket Leak

[2002 Maxima SE]

Hi all!

On a recent trip, I noticed that the coolant in my wife's 2004 Forester XT (Turbo) was low. I did an oil change when I returned and added some distilled water to the tank.

This morning, I noticed that the old oil filter still on the oil drain can I use had some green radiator fluid coming out of it. I'm not sure if this was left over from when I did a flush from my car. What can I check? Little worried we may have a broken head gasket and don't want to put to many more miles on the car until this is resolved.

 

[Jackpot01]

Sometimes the coolant will bubble in the tank if you have a bad gasket. You can check that. Also if the oil is milky colored at all then you may have a problem. There is always Sampling, send it out next day to Blackstone and see if they can help you out. This is odd to hear of a head gasket problem on such a new subaru.

Eric

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by 2002 Maxima SE:
I noticed that the old oil filter still on the oil drain can I use had some green radiator fluid coming out of it.

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If you can actually see coolant in the oil, I wouldn't drive the car until I checked this out. I'd take a sample and overnight it to my favorite UOA lab.

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Thanks for the responses. I called Subaru and told them what I found:

Looks like the coolant went down about 1/4 to 1/2 a cup. I asked what they would do, and he said they would look for the same thing I had. Since I have already changed the oil (noticed the coolant after the change) he said to put about 1000 miles on it then bring it in.

There is no oil in the coolant and there is no moisture on the inside of the oil cap. I don't notice any white smoke out the back either. This leak could have been from 0 to 20,000 miles or within the last 5,000...just don't know right now.

The engine sounds fine and didn't look like there was anything wrong with it when it drained. The things that tipped me off were:

A)Coolant drippings on my oil drain pan (but I use this for multiple cars so it could be one of the others)
B)Coolant low in the Subaru (but this could have been low since we bought it and I just didn't notice)
C)Catch can has some milky oil in it, but I did clean it out with some degreaser about 1000 miles ago...so that could be it too.

Hoping this is all just a bunch of coincidences. I have filled the reservoir tank back up to the F mark with distilled water and will keep a watch on it over the next 1000 miles.

I know this is probably not advisable, so if the level drops quickly in the next day or two I will have it towed in, however it may not drop at all and just be do to use of a single drain pan. I do plan to take a used oil analysis sample before taking it to Subaru. Is there a way to get a sample out without draining?

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Hmmmm...reading around I read about leak down testing. I mentioned to the dealer service about doing a compression test, but he wanted to jump straight to removing the engine after checking the oil pan for coolant.

I'm going to call another dealer.

 

[mechtech]

Pressure test the cooling system.

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

I got home and poured out my oil drain pan. There was about 2 to 3 cups of water in it. I called the tech and told him I was not comfortable driving the car for another 1000 miles. I took it in this evening, probably would have any way. On the way there, I remembered that I had cleaned the engine the day I changed the oil. So, the water in the pan may be from the wash...can't remember if I moved it or not.

When I got to the dealer I told him I did not want the engine removed or majorily disassembled. I want a leak down test done on the cylinders. If they come back fine, I'll pay for it and leave. If not, new gasket.

After all of that, the only thing I know for certain is:

1)The coolant was getting lower. No way it was that low from day one.

2)I don't know where the coolant on the drain pan lid came from. Checked the older car we own tonight when my wife got home and it is full of coolant. That is the only other place it could have come from.

Thanks again for all the posts. I should know something by Friday.

 

[Drew99GT]

If you actually saw coolent in the oil/filter (and it's pretty obvious when it actually is coolent, especially green colored glycol), I would not even start the engine until it gets mechanically repaired. You'll destroy the bearings in short order. One of my friends HAD, I stress, HAD, an 88 Celica GTS turbo, and when we did the first oil change after he bought the car, there was obvious glycol in the oil. You caould even see it on the dipstick. He said, ah, no worries, nothing will happen yada yada yada. About 1 month later, it had rod knock so bad it was SCARY, and, you guessed it, it threw a rod clean through the block. Don't take this lightly! Good luck

 

[Drew99GT]

Oh, by the way, I'm not trying to scare you or anything, just don't want you to unnecessarily end up with a toasted motor! Warrenty should cover this hopefully.

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Think I found the problem:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=516794&highlight=coolant+oil

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Well that wasn't the problem. I cancelled the appointment and brought the car home sure that an $8 tube and my stupidity had caused the problem. Guess I'll have to set up another appointment.

 

[seotaji]

quote:

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added some distilled water to the tank.

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just FYI when topping off the anti-freeze, use a mix of 50/50 AF to distilled water.