03 Vibe GT - Where is my coolant going?

[zrooster99]

Hello, I've got a 2003 Vibe GT with the 2ZZ engine. My heat quit working well the other day, so I checked my coolant... it was low. I've gone through about a quarter gallon in the past couple months (it was refilled back in Dec.) When I refilled it this time, there was muddy oil that floated to the top of the radiator. I checked my oil dipstick, and there was a slight amount of milky oil on it as well. I've recently had a compression test done, and it turned out 190+, very little variation.

So... where should I start? Could an intake gasket cause this? Any other gasket?

Thanks!!

[Chiadog]

Sounds like a head gasket. A SLOW into the intake manifold shouldn't put any coolant into the engine oil. Consider pressure testing the coolant system. You may want to stop driving the car until you troubleshoot the problem.
chiadog

[JohnO]

Does the 2ZZ have an oil cooler? It could be a leak in the heat exchanger. With a head gasket leak you should notice air in the cooling system as well.

Was the compression test done after the coolant starting disappearing?

[zrooster99]

I haven't checked for air in the coolant system, but only because my compression numbers are so good... doesn't seem likely that there would be any air getting into the coolant if I'm not losing compression.

Actually, the compression test was done last spring. I had noticed a bit of muddiness on the dipstick as well as missing coolant - I've put around 10k miles on the car since then, put coolant in it twice (never once got above normal operating temp). I never noticed the muddy oil in the radiator in the past... but that doesn't mean it wasn't there.

[bluneon]

whatever you decide to do you better do it fast. oil and rubber don't play well. rubber will absorb oil and the rubber will balloon and become extremely soft and will easily tear.

if you are having any oil/coolant mixing, keep this in mind: there are rubber components in the cooling system.....

[zrooster99]

Well dammit... after discovering I only got 20MPG on my most recent tank of gas, decided to do the compression test again... I'm down about 75 pounds on cylinder 2. Bummer. What's the head gasket job look like on the 2zz?

[jimincalif]

I'm not enough of a mechanic to describe the head gasket job, but I can tell you to stop driving it until it is repaired. Coolant in the oil means the oil can't do its job to lubricate your engine's bearing surfaces. Keep driving you'll be looking at a full rebuild.

[lannvouivre]

I'm not enough of a mechanic to describe the head gasket job, but I can tell you to stop driving it until it is repaired. Coolant in the oil means the oil can't do its job to lubricate your engine's bearing surfaces. Keep driving you'll be looking at a full rebuild.

I'll see what the Haynes manual says if I get my car back by this Monday. The only engine I've ever completely dismantled and reassembled was a GM LM7 engine, so I wouldn't know what needs doing either. Maybe I'll look at the 2AZ-FE engines that my school has lying around...

[zrooster99]

I've got an excellent garage lined up to get this repaired. And fortunately, they are letting me purchase the parts beforehand. So... what's the best brand for a head gasket set? Should I have the water pump done as well? Anything else while they are in there?