Oil In The Water

[matmcn]

I have just bought a 1999 2.8 v6 ghia X Galaxy. I knew there was problems and have fixed most of them as I also have a VW Sharan.

 

I have got oil in the header tank but no water in the oil. The guy I bought it off was told it was the head gasket but I dont think it is as the header tank is not pressurising and theres no water in the oil. I suspect it may be the oil cooler/intercooler and thought I would enquire on here before I start pulling the car apart next weekend.

 

Any advice before I start would be appreciated.

[seatkid]

Try a search, I think you're right. IIRC there are threads suggesting the oil cooler is a common problem.

[matmcn]

Just to finish this thread, it was the automatic gearbox oil cooler that was the problem.  An absolute pig to get to as it was under the battery tray which also holds the engine mount so no removing it without dropping the engine/gearbox.  The cooling pipes between the radiator, engine and header tank also had to come off to get to the cooler. 

 

After enquiring with various suppliers, including Ford and VW as its a VW box, the cheapest I found was nearly £200.  Found one on ebay from America for £63.

 

Swapped out and flushed the coolant system.  Still get the odd drop of oil in the water but all sorted now.