If you have a higher mileage PT, read this.

[electricbluegt]

I recently had a head gasket replaced on my car due to oil getting into the coolant. When they pulled the head, they said that it didn't look like the gasket had failed, but they did that job along with the timing belt etc. After getting the car back, oil was still getting into the coolant. The mechanic thinks it is the oil cooler, which is bolted to the back of the engine block. This is a heat exchanger that has oil and coolant passages in it to keep the oil temps down. I guess mine had a small leak in it. It kept getting oil in the coolant and getting too hot.

If you keep an eye on your fluids and notice a frothy mixture in the coolant, don't assume it's the head gasket. It could be a deteriorating oil cooler, and it could save you thousands in repairs if you check it first. I wasn't that lucky.

Brian

[Carrol Amerson]

Brian, is that on a GT? Does it also drip a little when parked after driving? Marcye has had a problem with oil in coolant, no overheating, random drip on asphault...not every time. Also, there has been some oil thrown back on the insulation at the firewall. Had turbo replaced (under warranty), but will still do it now and then. Confusing to say the least.

[electricbluegt]

Yes, my car is a GT. No drips at all except where the shop monkey twisted the top of my oil pressure sending unit off! Once I fixed that, no drips at all.