# Radiator full of oil

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-full-of-oil/50084>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, impala\
**Created:** [June 9, 2010, 10:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-full-of-oil/50084 "2010-06-09T10:54:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rmigel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@rmigel](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rmigel)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 10:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-full-of-oil/50084/1 "2010-06-09T10:54:21Z")

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My car’s radiator is full of oil, no water in oil, and no smoke whatsoever from the exhaust. Tell me the bad news?

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 11:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-full-of-oil/50084/2 "2010-06-09T11:23:12Z")

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Any chance someone put oil in by mistake? Beyond that, it takes hands on inspection to make sure.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 11:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-full-of-oil/50084/3 "2010-06-09T11:25:01Z")

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Check the automatic transmission fluid. The transmission cooler is incorporated into the radiator, and leaks between the two can develop.

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**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-full-of-oil/50084/4 "2010-06-09T12:40:11Z")

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It’s proboaly transmission fluid. If so, new radiator needed. Good coolant flush. Transmission fluid has been contaminated. Got to get all the transmission fluid out and flushed. If your lucky, you haven’t damaged the engine or the transmission. I wouldn’t drive it like this for the sake of the transmission.

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**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-full-of-oil/50084/5 "2010-06-09T16:08:17Z")

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if it’s really oil, you have a blown head gasket. Remember to make sure they mill the head when they put the new one in so that a proper seal can be made. some shops skip this step.

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**Author:** ![roguelead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@roguelead](https://community.cartalk.com/u/roguelead)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-full-of-oil/50084/6 "2010-06-11T16:30:25Z")

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If it’s a small amount of oil, it may be the head gasket, but if it’s a major amount, then the head itself may be cracked. Have a reliable mechanic check the gasket and head.

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**Author:** ![richw46](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e99b99/32.png) [@richw46](https://community.cartalk.com/u/richw46)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-full-of-oil/50084/7 "2010-06-11T16:38:55Z")

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You aren’t using any BP products, are you? Do you see any shrimp or oysters in there? 🙂 Has the govenor of Louisana stopped by?