Cars & Trucks Logo

Related Topics:

Posted on Jul 27, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

2002 saturn L300 with Oil in the coolant.

The mechanic said something about an engine oil cooler under the valve cover or in the block. does anyone know what he is referring to.

2 Answers

Anonymous

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Governor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 20 times.

Scholar:

An expert who has written 20 answers of more than 400 characters.

  • Expert 74 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 08, 2009
Anonymous
Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Governor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 20 times.

Scholar:

An expert who has written 20 answers of more than 400 characters.

Joined: Jun 14, 2009
Answers
74
Questions
0
Helped
44754
Points
186

First, no coolant flows through the intake on the 3.0L in the L300 and Catera. The intake is a 5 piece setup, the base of which is a phenolic spacer to isolate heat from the intake manifold.

Beneath the phenolic spacer there is an oil cooler installed between the cylinders inside the block. There is a cover with 2 oil cooler lines that run up from the right side of the engine to the cover and into the cooler via an inlet and outlet banjo bolt. If the cooler wears out there will be an exchange of coolant and oil, more oil into the coolant than coolant into the oil, although there will be some.

You might notice a small drop in performance, and later will notice that the coolant reservoir is full of oil and is spilling over.

I'd start by checking cylinder compression to make sure you don't ALSO have a blown head gasket, but the cooler is quite notorious for blowing out. If you do decide to replace it you will need:
1: a new oil cooler
2: new gaskets for the steel cooler lines, they will be metal crush gaskets. 4 as they are for the banjo bolts (2 washers for each bolt, one bolt on each line)
3: 4 new gaskets for the coolant bridge (the almost crescent shape aluminum bridge next to the oil cooler cover, aluminum with hoses attached as well as the coolant temp sensor)
4: New gaskets for the banjo bolts on the coolant bridge, they're rubber but don't just use some junk! Get the real deal ones from the dealer and save yourself the trouble of redoing it later on. They're cheap.
5: Oil, Antifreeze and a new oil filter. I'd spring for the Coolant system cleaner if it's not a big deal, less oil in the cooling system makes for a better performing engine and better heat in the winter.

Tools: 3/8" ratchet, standard set of extensions for the ratchet, set of Torx sockets and inverted Torx sockets, set of 3/8" sockets, flat head screwdriver, dikes or side cutters.

1: take off the intake manifold clamps by prying where they latch together, don't damage them unless you plan on replacing them (your call, but a tech would reuse them)

2: take off all the Torx bolts for the manifolds, there's 4 pieces to the aluminum manifolds and the ECM and Vacuum reservoir have to come off the rear manifold to get to some of the bolts. NOTE the location of all vacuum lines and coolant lines so you don't forget them later. Also note the position of the ECM on the manifold so you don't have to figure out which way it goes on later, it only plugs in one way but it's a pain if you fumble it up.

3: Take out the phenolic spacer (black thing under all the manifolds, feels like plastic). There are rubber gaskets on these, if they're damaged then it's a good time to replace them, if not they are usually reusable. Napa, Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc. always have them. Just ask for intake manifold gaskets, even though they're really phenolic spacer gaskets.

4: Remove the banjo bolts for the oil cooler lines, note the placement of gaskets on each side of the line that the banjo bolt goes through. You'll want to remember that later to avoid a leak. Also remove the coolant bridge banjo bolts and move it out of the way, again noting the gaskets for later replacement.

5: loosen the 2 nuts where the oil cooler lines were, these are attached to the oil cooler and secure it to the cover.

6: Remove the Torx bolts for the cooler cover, lift the cover, and remove the cooler. Make sure you clean that galley out real well, saves you some headache when cleaning later on.

7: When reinstalling the oil cooler cover remember to use a 2mm bead of sealant around there. I've seen guys use Permatex Orange, but if you can swing it then get something better from the dealership. You don't want to do this again in a year if the Permatex leaks on you.

8: Reinstall coolant bridge, oil cooler lines, phenolic spacer, manifold(s) and clamps. Double check all your work! Change your oil, and flush out the cooling system.

Estimated time? For a tech.. probably 2 hours. For a Shadetree mechanic? Probably 4 to 5 hours.

Good luck!

  • dber19521 Sep 30, 2010

    Oil cooler has a leak in it, pull off the intake and plate, then the oil cooler is under that, there will be two lines going to it, pull them the two nuts and all the bolts and pull it out, replace with new one and your problem will go away.

×

Jonah Oneal

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Saturn Master 14,092 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 27, 2009
Jonah Oneal
Saturn Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Mar 17, 2009
Answers
14092
Questions
0
Helped
7236632
Points
44533

YOU HAVE INTAKE GASKET LEAK.COOLANT IS LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE WHERE THE COOLANT CIRCULATE THROUGH IT.WHATS HAPPEN WHERE COOLANT CIRCULATE THROUGH INTAKE.GASKET IS LEAKING LETTING COOLANT ESCAPE INTO VALVE LIFTER INTO CRANK CASE.ALSO GETTING INTO COOLANT SYSTEM.

  • Jonah Oneal Jul 28, 2009

    MUST BE TALKING ABOUT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER.UNDERNEATH CAR.

×

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Froze block on 02dodge diesel replaced 1freeze plug @oil cooler cover plate water still in oil . Was cooler busted?

sounds as if something else gave out when got frozen ,have to do a strip down an check for cracks etc
1helpful
2answers

Saturn L300 oiling circuit diagram needed

you have the 3.0 V6, there is an oil cooler under the intake manifold that is known to cause problems, be very very careful if you try to fix it yourself, the saturn 3.0 is not an easy engine to deal with.
0helpful
1answer

Does the trans cooler exist inside the radiator on this V6 engine/auto trans combo? I found a brown foam in my 2001 Saturn V6's coolant overflow tank. It was so thick, i could not read the coolant level. ...

hmmm..........there is a OiL COOLER tube for the transmission cooler in ur radiator, that to keep ur tranny fluid to cool down!

As u said, u checked the engine oil, and it has no decrease on oil level!

Ur right about that... better bring that to ur mechanic and evaluate the radiator, the tube inside might have been damage or corroded!

Hope the seals up ur probs!
0helpful
1answer

Transmission fluid in radiator reserve tank 2002 saturn l300 v6 changed the radiator and stioll have yellow goo in reserve tank could it be the oil cooler

It could be and inspect your transmission fluid and have it serviced if it is the transmission fluid and also your engine oil. Engine coolant is corrosive to the bearings in your transmission and engine and can cause you to loose which ever you have cross contamination with.
If it's transmission fluid, then you'll loose your transmission is not corrected and if it's engine oil. Then your going to loose the engine shortly if not corrected.
Sorry for the bad news and thank you for using fixya.
0helpful
2answers

2002 Saturn Vue V- 6, Car runs fine, but have add anti-freeze every three or 4 days,. Doesn't overheat or run hot

It must be leaking somewhere. pressure test the radiator system.
sometimes a blocked thermostat will push coolant out the overflow
2helpful
2answers

Coolant Loss

then u have a leaking cylinder head gasket.
8helpful
5answers

I have a 2003 saturn l300 with a v6. I found Oil in the coolant. What could cause this?

ok this is to everyone that has a saturn l3oo. i am currently working on one i have the whole top of the motor apart and the oil cooler has a crack in the tube. u need to get a new cooler or have someone make one for u so u dont have to go to a dealer for a cooler..hope this helps
34helpful
6answers

Vw transporter t5 04 van t30 2.5

I had the same problem with my T5 130. My mechanic replaced the head gasket to no avail,then we checked the oil filter,that was ok.then we went on to a web forum and found out that the AXD engine suffers from water pump failure.We took it off and it was corroded,the seal had failed and was pumping water into the block.My advice,CHECK WATER PUMP FIRST! Good luck Marc,Somerset.
39helpful
12answers

OIL IN ANTIFREEZE

Everyone automatically assumes that oil and water mixing means a blown head gasket or cracked engine block. Of course common sense is usually not that common. Oil in coolant is a different problem than coolant in oil. The former is a low pressure leak, and could indicate only an intake manifold gasket. It could also be an early or small head gasket leak. Coolant in oil is usually a cracked block or torn head gasket, and has concomitant symptoms of white exhaust smoke and milky oil on dipstick. If you replace the head gasket and the problem persists, an intake gasket could have fixed the problem.
Not finding what you are looking for?

4,054 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Saturn Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Ronny Bennett Sr.
Ronny Bennett Sr.

Level 3 Expert

6988 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Are you a Saturn Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...