Oil in the Coolant!!?

[Philc79]

I brought myself a 2000 Leon 110 TDi 3 weeks ago hence this being my 1st post.
I gave it a full service myself last week inc a coolant change. Now the coolant has gone from being pink to black and oily.
I can only assume this is a sign that i have some how managed to blow the head gasket? However there is no sign of water in the oil?? or any major loss of oil and the water temp sits happly at 90 degrees and stays there.
Any advice or ideas anyone.

 

[Muttley]

Oil in the coolant is usually an indication of head gasket failure. The only other place oil and water get close is in the oil cooler, mounted underneath the filter, where the oil is cooled by the engine coolant.

 

[Philc79]

I'm new to the world of diesels, is there an easy way to do a compression test like on petrols?
And seeing theres no Haynes manual is there a guide to changing the head gasket anywhere?

Cheers

 

[DPJ]

Most likely cause is failure of oil cooler. Higher pressure oil is forced across the cooler into the coolant.

I've just had this on my 56 Bammer. Cost me a new oil cooler, new radiator, hours of flushing and reflushing etc etc etc

 

[sssstew]

yep agreed, if everything else is ok i would look at the oil cooler, the internal channels have been known to break down and corrode leading the leakage. Easy to replace but factor in some hours to clean up.

 

[Philc79]

Cheers for your advice guys.
I'm looking at the oil cooler but 1st i'm having a good go at clearing the coolant system to check that it isn't old oil from something previous as it only occurred after i serviced it.
Hows a good way to flush the system though. I removed the thermostat but couldn't re fit the seal there as its held in by the thermostat!! Any tips or just let it leak there as i flush?

 

[muddyboots]

Did you use G12 coolant (the pink stuff) ?

If not - that could be your trouble. From what I've read, mixing non-G12 with the original stuff will cause all sorts of nastiness....

 

[sssstew]

yes mixing is not good, will cause furring up.

 

[Philc79]

I refilled with the pink stuff from Halford but ive flushhed it a few times now its only water at the mo.

 

[JamesL]

Get the G12 from any vag dealer.

 

[Philc79]

Ok i will do but what is so good / special about the G12 stuff?

 

[sssstew]

G12 coolant is long life, designed to last to life of the engine and not really need replacing.

 

[Philc79]

Is there a guide anywhere on how to change the oil cooler?
The oil keeps reappearing so ive ordered an Oil Cooler from Euro Car Parts (who i now hate) and aim to do it this weekend.

Cheers.

 

[sssstew]

hmm i havent seen a guide online, i just looked at the haynes manual and figured it out myself, theres not much to it, just a few pipes.