I have a '88 N/A 7 I was checking the air filter yesterday and noticed that my coolant was looking a bit dark. So popped to lid on the reservoir and indeed it looks as if it is oil. Assuming that i am correct with it being oil that would mean that i have to tear the engine apart and replace one(+) seals. Firstly is there another way to check if it is a leaky seal, or whatever you guys think it could be. Secondly, if i am right about the tear down, what else should i replace while I'm in there?

Thanks much in advance.

 

First, just change the coolant. It could have been in there for 20 years. Then see if the gunk returns...

 

Okay. ill try that sometime tomorrow. By the way, i read somewhere that coolant should go in a 90-10 ratio. Is that correct?

 

Finished the coolant flush today. So far so good. Thanks a lot Aaron, i was all doom and gloom for a few days over this.

 

Yes. change your coolant first. Is there coolant in your oil?

 

just by looking at the dipstick doesnt look like it. ill know for sure when i do an oil change.

 

50/50 ratio.

It is very rare for the rotary to mix fluids like that. Oil in the coolant would be an almost impossible failure.

 

really? I read somewhere that it could mean a blown coolant seal or something like that. Sadly i can't remember where i saw that. On the brighter side, after a good bit of doggin' her out, still no other nastiness in there.

 

whew.. now i know that i will not worry about oil leak in coolant..

 

It might be really unlikely, but it could also be the oil pan gasket that tends to leak sometimes.

 

Head Gasket. no doubt.

 

How would a leaking oil pan gasket cause oil to mix with coolant?

 

The same way a leaking head gasket would

 

that didnt make much sense, they are completely separated

 

the only way oil would be in the coolant would be one with an auto tranny, where the oil cooler in the rad leaked trans fluid into the rad. bad coolant seals would tend to leak coolant into the combustion chamber, the same way a blown head gasket would.