Oil in coolant reservoir

[garthog]

I have an '02 2.5. I've been noticing that my coolant has been dropping very fast and today noticed there was oil in the reservoir. Took a sample of the oil in the engine but there's no coolant. There is no smoke coming out of my exhaust and the car runs fine. The only thing that doesn't work right is the heater, which only works when the gas pedal is depressed. There is no visible leakage anywhere and my spark plugs are not discolored at all. Could this be a head gasket? Can I use the head gasket repair fluid that's out there? Any Arizona people know of a good mechanic I can take this problem to if need be? etc., etc., etc....

[garthog]

P.S.- There has been no over heating.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Seems very strange.

The fact that the car isn't overheating is confusing.The heater not working indicates that there's poor coolant flow, but I would expect the car to get hot quickly if that were the case.Have you re-filled the reservoir yet?You said there's no sign of a visible leak...are you finding any coolant under the car after it has been parked? Any leaking fluids at all?

Also, when you checked the oil sample, how did you do that? Did you drain all the oil, or use the dipstick, or use another method?

[garthog]

i have to refill the reservoir every 3-4 days. i check under my car every time i go to get in it and there is never anything under it. i let it run for like an hour with the ac blasting (i live in phoenix where it's like 100 degrees) and every few minutes reved up the engine and there wasn't even the water/condensation dripping on the floor. i got a giant syringe from work and took an oil sample. the oil was still fresh looking after about 2000 miles of driving since the last oil change. i have had this car since 03 and am about 99.9% of the time the only driver and it has never over-heated. i always pay attention to all my gages while driving and generally take very good care of my car. i don't have any clue as to where to go from here!

[garthog]

any thoughts???? anybody????

[Cold_Zero]

Garthog,I had the same problem in my 02 S Altima. The heat problem and the lose of coolant problem. The heat problem is probably related first to your lose of coolant. If you fill the coolant up and the Altima still blows cold air, then you need to replace the thermostat.

The coolant is probably related to a small crack in the head gasket, but before you go ripping the head apart, do a compression check.bud

[sewright]

It certainly sounds like a head gasket or warped head. Do you have small bit of smoke? A car that blows a head gasket usually is down on power too, and will have a bit of smoke. I'm not a mechanic obviously just someone that has experienced a blown head gasket.

[garthog]

thanks for the help. do you know how much a compression check is? am i able to use some chemical stuff that says it fills the cracks? i only need this car to last one more year, so as long as it gets me there, i'll be happy.