Engine oil and coolant should not intersect during the correct operation of all vehicle components. They circulate in vicious circles, each doing their job. But if some elements fail, the driver may, at the next check of the antifreeze level, find that there are traces of oil in the tank. Oil getting into antifreeze is not a normal situation for a car. If a similar problem occurs, you need to find out what it is connected with, and then fix it.
How to determine that oil has got into the antifreeze
Most often, drivers find out late that oil gets into antifreeze in their car. At the same time, the problems due to which the liquids circulating in closed circles are mixed are very significant. For example, such a problem can be observed due to damage to the cylinder head gasket or due to depressurization in the area of \u200b\u200bthe heat exchanger gasket. Also, the oil in the antifreeze may indicate that the oil cooler is damaged and needs to be urgently replaced or repaired.
The following symptoms indicate that there are oil particles in the antifreeze:
It is worth remembering that not only oil enters the antifreeze, but, on the contrary, coolant particles flow into the lubricating element. This leads to the fact that, together with the oil, small particles of antifreeze are sent into circulation in a circle, which can accelerate the process of corrosion formation on engine elements. Also, due to the mixing of liquids, the oil will partially lose its properties.
What to do if oil gets into antifreeze
If coolant and engine oil are mixed, you must act as soon as a problem is discovered. Most often it is associated with wear or damage to the oil cooler gasket. It is not possible to restore the sealing element, so it needs to be replaced.
To replace the oil cooler gasket, do the following:
If replacing the oil cooler gasket did not help and oil continues to get into the antifreeze, you can try or contact the service center.
A situation familiar to many motorists when oil stains appear in antifreeze. This is usually detected when checking the coolant level in expansion tank. It is clear that this "speaks" of some kind of malfunction in the engine systems, which we will discuss in this article.
In the photo - oil in the Opel expansion tank
Causes of oil
Most car owners know that the coolant and oil are two different independent isolated systems that function separately from each other. When the mixing of these systems occurred, it means that one of them simply depressurized. In this case, there is an oil leak in the engine lubrication system, which is why the oil could get into the antifreeze and it is necessary to figure out why this happened.
There are several ways for oil to enter the cooling system and we will consider them in order:
Crack in the oil line in the cylinder block;
Burnout head gasket;
Microcracks in the body of the block head;
Deterioration of the gasket of the heat exchanger (oil cooler);
Malfunction of the oil supply channel in the block
When a crack appears in the oil supply channel, which enters the engine cooling system under pressure, as a result of which the two liquids mix.
As a result, the antifreeze loses its cooling properties, the cells of the engine cooling radiator become clogged, which can lead to power plant and jamming of the crankshaft with all the ensuing consequences.
It is quite difficult to identify such a malfunction, since for this it is necessary to disassemble the engine completely and give the cylinder block for pressure testing, carried out on a special stand in water under air pressure.
If the supply line is broken, then air bubbles will appear at the point of its exit from the unit.
Such a malfunction, for example, on VAZ engines, is “treated” by installing a metal tube of a suitable diameter in the oil supply channel in the power plant unit. The tube covers the crack in the oil supply channel, thereby restoring its tightness.
When it is not possible to eliminate the crack, then only the replacement of the block is required.
Block gasket burnout
If the integrity of the gasket between the head and the cylinder block is violated, it becomes possible to connect the cooling and oil supply channels, which also leads to oil getting into the antifreeze.
Faulty cylinder head gasket
The solution to the problem is to replace the gasket with a new one with a mandatory check of the head plane and its grinding if necessary (required in 90% of cases).
After grinding the plane, the master indicates the amount of metal removed and, based on this, the appropriate block gasket is selected.
Block head malfunctions
In cases where the engine is not equipped with an oil separator, and oil enters the cooling system, then most likely the reason lies in the block head.
Microcracks in the cylinder head in the 2.5 BMW E34 engine
To determine the cause of the malfunction, the head must be removed from the engine, disassembled and pressed to determine the location of the leak.
This is a rather laborious and costly operation. In some cases, if it is possible to get close to the crack, the head body is welded in argon. When this is not possible, then only the replacement of the “head” is required.
There are two options here. Either replacing the assembly with valves, or a “bare” head without filling. The second option is much more expensive, since you will have to equip the product with valves (plus their grinding), valve stem seals, springs, new mounting bolts and so on.
Deterioration of the gasket of the heat exchanger (oil cooler)
The operation of the heat exchanger is based on the principle of turbulent counterflow, when the oil moves in the cooler in one direction, and the antifreeze in the opposite direction. This principle contributes to the intensive heat transfer of the heated oil to the coolant.
When the gaskets or rubber rings are worn, the two fluids mix, which also leads to the fact that the oil enters the coolant.
Drained antifreeze in oil stains
The problem is solved by draining the antifreeze and dismantling the heat exchanger, completely cleaning it, washing it and replacing worn gaskets. If cracks are found in its housing, then the oil cooler must be replaced.
Heat exchanger gaskets Opel, Chevrolet
Before dismantling the heat exchanger, it is necessary to flush the cooling system several times with clean distilled water until it is completely clean when it is drained.
Finally
At the first sign of detecting traces of oil in the expansion tank, or raising the engine, it is necessary to immediately take measures to detect a malfunction. Since further operation of the engine with such a malfunction is fraught with its failure and, as a result, expensive repair of the power plant or its replacement.
Diagnosis of a malfunction can be done independently, or contact a car service professional. The main thing is not to postpone this procedure for a saving "later" ...
It is also worth recalling that depressurization can also have the opposite effect, when antifreeze can get into the lubrication system, but this is a topic for another article.
Sincerely, Sergey Zharinov.
Sometimes, while inspecting the level of antifreeze in the system, the driver observes a change in the color of the refrigerant. If you see bubbles, a brown tint, and traces of oil on the tank cap, then congratulations, you have unpleasant problems. Antifreeze got into the oil. The problem has other signs, but it is important to know not only this, but also what is the cause of the problem.
When I encountered such a violation, the first thing that interested me was whether it was possible to drive a car. In general, if trouble does arise, the information presented in my review will be very useful.
The most important sign of the appearance of oil in antifreeze is a change in the color of the liquid. In addition, bubbles appear in the refrigerant. If traces of oil are clearly observed on the neck of the expansion tank, then we can say with confidence that oil has leaked into the antifreeze liquid. If these signs are not convinced, then there are other symptoms:
- the coolant level in the tank has decreased;
- from exhaust pipe white smoke began to appear;
- the color of the oil on the dipstick has changed significantly.
Two of these indicators are checked using a special probe. If the leak is not visually observed, then the reasons may be completely different. Sometimes the presence of oil in the antifreeze indicates the condition of the candles. The elements will be damp and have a sweet smell.
Reasons for this situation
I must say right away that oil does not get into antifreeze by chance. The systems are completely unrelated to each other, sealed. If each is in good condition, mixing of liquids is excluded.
If such a problem arose, then it means that there is a reason. From possible causes faults can be identified:
- the appearance of cracks or corrosion on the cylinder head;
- malfunction of the oil cooler;
- pump wear;
- microcracks in the expansion tank;
- wear of gaskets in the heat exchanger;
- the pipes of the system or cooling system are out of order.
Unfortunately, the place of leakage is not always oily liquid or antifreeze can be found independently. The reasons may also be far from the same as indicated. Most the best way- This is an appeal to the service center with a problem.
What are the consequences of a violation?
The ingress of oil into the refrigerant is very unpleasant. The consequences of such a violation can be very serious. In the future, serious repairs will be required and a lot of time will have to be spent restoring the car's performance. The consequences of a breach are:
- rapid and complete wear of bearings;
- motor jamming. Such a breakdown is often observed in diesel engines;
- oil filter contamination.
When oil is mixed with antifreeze, a reaction occurs between the substances. Corrosion appears in the motor, and the bearings begin to rub against other parts. A serious load on all elements of the system leads to a quick breakdown vehicle. Soot can settle on the parts, which later gets into the filter, which also leads to breakage. You can’t drive such a car, but it’s better to do repairs as soon as possible.
How to fix the problem?
There are several ways to deal with the problem. Some manipulations are very complex and for their solution it is worth contacting the service station, and some are easy to perform on your own. The solution to the problem can be in the following actions:
- A burnt gasket can be easily replaced. It is quite possible to do this at home. True, here you have to remove the head of the block and have a torque wrench handy.
- Finish the block head. This is only available for minor deformations. If the cylinder head is seriously "led", then it will have to be changed.
- Performing or replacing the cylinder block.
Do not perform two extreme operations with your own hands. This will require serious equipment. Bring to work better masters. It is important to remember that "self-medication" can lead to real problem and other damage.
How to prevent a malfunction?
Breakage can be avoided if you take into account the tips and recommendations for using antifreeze. The very first rule is that it is absolutely impossible to add antifreeze to the tank if it is not compatible with the composition already used. Be sure to follow all the recommendations of the manufacturer regarding the materials used.
Masters advise regular maintenance work on the car. You need to carefully monitor how the car behaves, what symptoms appear. When there are signs indicating a violation, it is necessary not to continue driving the car, but to start repairs.
Since repairs may be required quite serious, it is better to immediately contact knowledgeable people. Experts will quickly find a leak and be able to determine the causes. Repair masters will also be able to produce better quality. The service station has the necessary equipment, and the room for repair work is suitable.
Conclusion
Finishing the presented material, we can draw several conclusions:
- Oil getting into antifreeze is a serious nuisance for the driver. Repair work it is important to produce without delay, as this can harm the vehicle.
- There are signs that can help you identify the problem. Based on these symptoms, you can easily determine the cause and proceed to repair the system.
- Correcting the situation on your own is not always possible. This requires special facilities and equipment. It is better not to postpone, but immediately contact an experienced master in the service station.
Mixing engine lubricant with engine coolant is a critical malfunction that requires immediate intervention and elimination. In other words, the machine cannot be operated, only repaired. Although infrequent, this problem occurs on new and used cars. To avoid costly repairs, the owner of the car must clearly understand the procedure for his actions when oil is found in antifreeze.
How does grease get into antifreeze (antifreeze)?
Cooling system power unit is a network of channels passing through the block and cylinder head. It is hermetic and therefore works under pressure resulting from heating and expansion of the liquid. The lubrication system has a similar structure, only the channels are narrower, and the oil pump creates pressure.
There are only 3 reasons why two different liquids are mixed:
- Gasket between cylinder head and block weakness any motor. When the smallest crack occurs in it, a liquid with a higher pressure penetrates into the "foreign" system. As a rule, oil enters the antifreeze, because the oil pump “presses” more than the pump. Although there is also mutual penetration.
- In cars with powerful and more complex engines, there is an engine lubrication cooling element - an oil cooler. It also happens to mix antifreeze with oil as a result of gasket breakdown.
- Cracks in the metal of the cylinder head itself.
Now about why the integrity of the gaskets is violated. The main enemy of any motor and additional elements is overheating. From exposure high temperature the aluminum cylinder head or oil heat exchanger housing is deformed. But since the part is firmly held by bolts, longitudinal expansion of the metal occurs, pulling the gasket along with it. Cracks appear in the latter, where it penetrates lubricant.
The reverse situation also happens: antifreeze flows into the engine and dilutes the oil in the crankcase. The reason is a malfunction of the pressure relief valve installed in the plug of the expansion tank. Then antifreeze penetrates through the cracks, since its pressure is greater.
Fault detection
This problem, or rather, a serious breakdown, is rather insidious and does not appear immediately. Liquid lubricant passes through microcracks in small portions, without having a particular effect on the operation of the power unit. Changes become noticeable in the next stage, when the channel connecting the two systems expands and the mixing speed increases.
How to determine the ingress of lubricant into antifreeze:
- due to the deterioration of the cooling properties of antifreeze, the engine starts to heat up more, the electric fan works more often;
- the oil level gradually decreases, and the antifreeze rises (it is rather difficult to notice);
- the impeller of the pump whips up the oil-water mixture, turning it into a thick white emulsion that clogs the filter, causing the pressure of the motor lubricant to drop;
- outside on the block or the body of the heat exchanger, streaks are visible, originating near the gasket (they do not always appear);
- The oil in the expansion tank changes the color and consistency of the coolant.
Important! The most obvious visual indication of agitation is the white emulsion in the antifreeze expansion tank. If you find a similar substance in the tank, compare this fact with other symptoms - constant overheating of the engine and signals from the oil level warning lamp.
As a rule, trouble does not come alone. Antifreeze that has fallen into the oil pan can create serious problems: at best, the emulsion will clog the lubrication channels and filter. In the worst case scenario crankshaft will turn the liners (plain bearings) as a result of oil starvation. Expensive repairs provided.
Often, the gasket bursts to the very walls of the cylinders, after which antifreeze enters the combustion chambers (its channels are closer). The sign of a breakdown is clearly visible - a large amount of white smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe, and the engine power drops sharply.
When a similar problem occurs on a machine equipped with a heat exchanger - engine lubricant cooler, diagnostic difficulties arise. If a external signs in the form of streaks are absent, then after identifying the emulsion in the expansion tank, it is better to contact a car service. There, both units will be blown through with a special installation and the culprit will be determined by air leakage.
Elimination Method
When a significant amount of grease has entered the antifreeze, the latter is not able to work as a coolant. Clots and even solid particles form in it, settling on the walls of the channels, clogging the thermostat valve and clogging the radiator. There is also no guarantee that mutual penetration has not occurred and the antifreeze has not leaked into the oil pan. Hence the conclusion: both fluids must be drained.
If your vehicle is equipped oil cooler contact the station immediately Maintenance in order to localize the broken gasket. Then decide whether to carry out repairs yourself or entrust the work to car service personnel.
What to do if oil or emulsion is found in the expansion tank with antifreeze:
- Both systems need to be flushed. Before draining the antifreeze, add a special detergent to the expansion tank and let the engine run for idling 5 minutes. Empty the lubrication system immediately.
- Unscrew and throw away oil filter.
- Replace the gasket on the cylinder block by removing the cylinder head. In the process of dismantling, disassemble the elements of the cooling system (pipes, pump, thermostat) and rinse them thoroughly by hand. Do the same with the heat exchanger if it is the culprit of the mixing of liquids.
- Unscrew the oil pan and oil pump, disassemble the latter and change all gaskets. Before assembly, wash the parts with gasoline or thinner.
- Assemble the power unit, install a new filter and fill in the flush motor lubricant. Instead of antifreeze, fill the system with distilled water, adding a detergent composition.
- Start the engine and let it run for 10-15 minutes without revving up. Follow control lamp oil and temperature gauge.
- At the end, replace the water with a working fluid - antifreeze, and flushing oil- a full-fledged motor. It is highly recommended to change the filter twice.
Advice. When pre-flushing the cooling system until the problem is corrected, control the temperature and pressure of the lubricant. Notice something is wrong - immediately turn off the engine, as the oil still gets into the antifreeze.
No matter how carefully you try to wash out the engine parts during disassembly, you will not be able to get to all the channels. Therefore, flushing is performed several times, including after starting the power unit. During further operation, monitor the condition of the process fluids so that the trouble does not recur.
During engine operation, a fairly common malfunction is hitting engine oil into the cooling system. Oil in antifreeze can be found on any engine (gasoline, diesel, naturally aspirated, turbocharged, in-line, etc.)
It is important to understand that such a problem is serious, and the engine itself needs to be repaired immediately. In this article, we will consider the main reasons why oil appears in the engine cooling system, and also talk about the available diagnostic methods to eliminate such a breakdown of the power unit.
Read in this article
Oil in the engine cooling system: causes
So, the ingress of lubricant into the engine cooling system is most often determined during the check of the coolant level in. As a rule, the color in this case changes, oily spots can be seen on the surface. Also on the lid of the tank and its neck, the remnants of a mixture of oil and antifreeze are noticeable. The liquid level itself can be lowered.
Additional signs include the appearance of thick white smoke from exhaust system when the engine is running. If removed, then sticky deposits can also be seen inside it. Depressurization is also indicated by the changed color of the oil itself on the dipstick, emulsion and foam on the oil filler cap.
Such signs clearly indicate that engine oil has gone into the cooling system. We note right away that this problem requires special attention, since oil and antifreeze are liquids for different systems. This means that normally the channels through which they circulate do not communicate with each other. In other words, there was a serious breach of tightness.
Given this information, there are a number of main possible reasons why oil gets into the antifreeze:
- problems with the oil cooler;
- heat exchanger malfunctions;
- damage and defects of sleeves in the BC;
- malfunctions, etc.
As practice shows, about half of ICE failures occur as a result of the mixing of oil and coolant. Let's add that diesel engine more susceptible to this risk than gasoline. The fact is that such a motor is more intensively contaminated from the inside, as a result, various gaskets and sealing elements are actively displaced.
Taking into account the fact that in the process of cooling the engine, the liquid in the cooling system is under pressure (and this pressure is higher than in the lubrication system), the coolant can gradually enter the lubrication system through leaks.
You also need to understand that in coolants that are designed for modern motors, contains a whole package of active chemical additives. These additives prevent scale formation, clean the cooling system, and resist corrosion.
For this reason, it is recommended to fill the engine with only recommended coolants, dilute the concentrate with distilled water in the required proportions, avoid mixing different coolants, and also make timely replacement and preventive maintenance.
This approach allows not only to keep the system clean and maintain its maximum performance, but also significantly reduces the risk of deep (through) corrosion of metal elements.
If oil gets into antifreeze: consequences for the motor
It is quite obvious that the oil in the expansion tank is an alarm signal, and in this case there are much more risks not for the cooling system itself, but for the engine. In other words, if lubricant enters the cooling system, then antifreeze enters the lubrication system.
It is not difficult to guess that when mixing two types of fluids that contain packages of active additives, an unpredictable and uncontrolled chemical reaction occurs. The result is a deterioration in the properties of the lubricant and coolant, there is an increased contamination of both the oil channels and the channels of the cooling system.
Naturally, in such a case, all loaded parts of the motor begin to undergo significant wear. Indigenous and connecting rod bearings, scoring may form on the cylinder walls, etc. Quite often, the engine simply jams, after which an expensive one is required.
As a rule, the reason for the intense ingress of coolant into the oil is often a broken cylinder head gasket, severe corrosion of the cylinder walls and cracks, which leads to active entry of antifreeze into the combustion chamber. By the way, if a lot of fluid collects in the over-piston space on a muffled internal combustion engine, then when you try to start the engine, it happens.
As you can see, there is a whole list possible problems, which lead to oil entering the cooling system and vice versa. It is important to understand that after fixing the problem, it is imperative to change both the lubricant in the oil system and the coolant in the cooling system.
Moreover, before pouring fresh liquids, both systems must be thoroughly flushed. For example, if the coolant got into the oil due to the water pump, even after a simple pump replacement, there will be a small amount of liquid in the sump. This means that the existing oil will lose its properties to some extent.
Let's imagine a common situation. Let's say the pump was changed, the oil was drained and a new one was filled in, but without flushing. At the same time, up to 10-15% of the old grease mixed with antifreeze will still remain in the sump. So, if not preliminarily, then the additives in fresh oil can react with residues, create deposits and sediment, quickly contaminate a new oil filter, etc.
To prevent this from happening, you can go in two ways:
- remove the tray to remove residues;
- flush the oil system;
Although the first option is more difficult, this method is more efficient. At the same time, the second method does not require disassembly of the internal combustion engine and is simple, as a result of which it becomes the choice of the vast majority of drivers.
What is the result
As you can see, the oil in the antifreeze significantly worsens the properties of the coolant, and the antifreeze or antifreeze in the oil leads to severe damage to the rubbing surfaces of engine parts.
If an increase in the oil level became noticeable during the dipstick check, and this phenomenon is accompanied by a low fluid level in the expansion tank and a clear dilution of the lubricant, the appearance of an emulsion, etc., then this indicates coolant leaks.
If the coolant level in the reservoir has dropped, but there are no signs of getting into the oil system, in this case the problem may be damage to the hoses and pipes of the cooling system, as well as leaks at the joints.
To determine the location of the leak, a special dye is added to the antifreeze, which glows, indicating the problem area. Using such a solution allows you to quickly and accurately detect a crack or other defect.
We also note that in the event of the appearance of microcracks in the BC or cylinder head, there may be no external leaks, while the motor must be disassembled, after which the tightness is determined by checking the removed elements in a special bath. Using this method, a damaged area is detected, then a crack in the block or head is repaired.
Finally, we note that regular checks of the level and condition of the engine oil, as well as the coolant in the tank, will help to avoid the problems described above or to identify a malfunction in a timely manner for prompt repairs and keeping the internal elements of the engine in working order.
Read also
Why antifreeze or antifreeze is fed into the engine cylinders and what to do in such a situation. How to determine the presence of antifreeze in the cylinders yourself, repair methods.
