# Problem with 96 saturn

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-96-saturn/10821>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [February 18, 2008, 12:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-96-saturn/10821 "2008-02-18T12:37:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tinalynns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@tinalynns](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tinalynns)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 12:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-96-saturn/10821/1 "2008-02-18T12:37:39Z")

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problem is oil is getting in coolant system, I know if water was in oil it would be head gasket what could this be?

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 12:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-96-saturn/10821/2 "2008-02-18T12:48:22Z")

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When a head gasket fails, several different scenarios are possible:

\*Coolant leaks into the lubricating oil.

\*Lubricating oil leaks into the coolant.

\*Coolant leaks into a cylinder, and is burned along with the gasoline.

The symptoms that you currently have may increase to include coolant diluting the oil, so it is very possible that this engine has a limited remaining life span. While I would question whether it is worthwhile to repair a 12 year old Saturn, you should start thinking of whether you want to invest in a repair or in a newer vehicle. This problem is not going to fix itself, and may get worse, leading to a lack of lubrication.