There is oil in the coolant reservoir
When checking the level of antifreeze, the car owner may find engine oil in the most seemingly unexpected place - the expansion tank. Its neck will be smeared with a lubricant, and the coolant itself will change color, consistency and acquire an unpleasant odor. For further details, go here: oil in coolant reservoir
This problem occurs most often in American and domestic cars. However, its appearance in the systems of other foreign cars is not excluded.
What is the reason for such an unpleasant breakdown, how is it dangerous and how to eliminate it? Let's dwell on each issue separately.
Reasons for getting oil into the expansion tank
Both the coolant and the lubricant circulate in the car in different systems independently of each other. They perform different functions, so they must be isolated inside the engine. If there is a problem of mixing engine oil with antifreeze, the driver should understand that this is possible only if the systems are depressurized.
It happens for the following reasons:
Crack on the expansion tank
In addition to the above reasons, the use of the wrong refrigerants, namely mixing them, can also cause damage. Each coolant has its own classification. Each of them has different properties and consists of specific ingredients. When incompatible additives interact with each other, an uncontrolled chemical reaction can begin, which will cause a depressurization of the system. Therefore, before pouring new antifreeze into the car, it is necessary to drain the old fluid.
This problem occurs most often in American and domestic cars. However, its appearance in the systems of other foreign cars is not excluded.
What is the reason for such an unpleasant breakdown, how is it dangerous and how to eliminate it? Let's dwell on each issue separately.
Reasons for getting oil into the expansion tank
Both the coolant and the lubricant circulate in the car in different systems independently of each other. They perform different functions, so they must be isolated inside the engine. If there is a problem of mixing engine oil with antifreeze, the driver should understand that this is possible only if the systems are depressurized.
It happens for the following reasons:
Crack on the expansion tank
- irregularities in the operation of the oil cooler;
- mechanical damage to the cylinder head, heat exchanger gasket;
- destruction of pipes through which the coolant passes;
- the occurrence of cracks and other defects on the expansion tank;
- failure of the cooling system pump.
In addition to the above reasons, the use of the wrong refrigerants, namely mixing them, can also cause damage. Each coolant has its own classification. Each of them has different properties and consists of specific ingredients. When incompatible additives interact with each other, an uncontrolled chemical reaction can begin, which will cause a depressurization of the system. Therefore, before pouring new antifreeze into the car, it is necessary to drain the old fluid.
Please note that the color of the coolant does not in any way characterize the class to which it belongs. This is just a dye added by the manufacturer. Therefore, do not try to mix two, say, red coolers, relying only on their visual similarity.
Is breakage dangerous?
Any malfunction in the car, even the most insignificant, should be given special attention, because it can provoke a more serious breakdown. Ignoring the fact of mixing lubricating and cooling liquids does not bode well: in a short period of time, corrosive processes are activated inside the engine, the throughput of the oil filter will decrease.
It is the oil filter that will be the first to take the "blow of misfortune", but if you notice the oil in the expansion tank in time, then you can get by with small victims. When changing the coolant and flushing the system, it is recommended to contact a car workshop.
Firstly, they can easily find the cause of the leak, and secondly, they will make a really high-quality cleaning of the cooling channels. If you decide to save money and carry out the procedure yourself, then keep in mind: incomplete washing out of oil from the expansion tank will continue to clog. And in an accelerated rhythm.
As practice shows, more than 30 percent of cases associated with a failure of the motor system cause a similar problem. Due to the interaction of the chemical elements that make up the lubricant and the coolant, a violent chemical reaction occurs that corrodes even metal parts. As a result, two systems fail at once.
Is breakage dangerous?
Any malfunction in the car, even the most insignificant, should be given special attention, because it can provoke a more serious breakdown. Ignoring the fact of mixing lubricating and cooling liquids does not bode well: in a short period of time, corrosive processes are activated inside the engine, the throughput of the oil filter will decrease.
It is the oil filter that will be the first to take the "blow of misfortune", but if you notice the oil in the expansion tank in time, then you can get by with small victims. When changing the coolant and flushing the system, it is recommended to contact a car workshop.
Firstly, they can easily find the cause of the leak, and secondly, they will make a really high-quality cleaning of the cooling channels. If you decide to save money and carry out the procedure yourself, then keep in mind: incomplete washing out of oil from the expansion tank will continue to clog. And in an accelerated rhythm.
As practice shows, more than 30 percent of cases associated with a failure of the motor system cause a similar problem. Due to the interaction of the chemical elements that make up the lubricant and the coolant, a violent chemical reaction occurs that corrodes even metal parts. As a result, two systems fail at once.