Astra 1.7dti has black oil in coolant header tank. Any thoughts???

[samtheman]

Hi, I've owned this astra for 18 months and it's been mainly OK but when I checked the levels last week I saw that the header tank had black engine oil floating in it. Has anyone any thoughts on what could cause this?

[paul.spencer]

sounds like that common problem of oil cooler leakage. you could replace the unit (or some people block off the oil cooler)...

Cheers, Paul

[samtheman]

Thanks for the reply Paul but I checked the oil cooler by bypassing it and still the problem got worse. Think I'll have to get it to an engine recon place to check the head gasket etc.

[paul.spencer]

Oh heck - if you already bypassed it and the oil in the expansion tank is only getting worse then it is sounding like the head gasket. Are there any signs of coolant in your engine oil, emulsion on dipstick and under oil filter cap?

Good luck, Paul