Foamy pink oil on the dipstick....?

BananaKing · Jun 9th, 2013, 21:24

Ok, so I know I shouldn't be allowed to own such a lovely car, but I'm doing my best! :/
I've had a bit of an oil leak going on this week. The 2 photos below are as much as I can tell you... there is sort of a pink-ish foaminess on the dipstick, what's that about?
Where the arrow points appears to be where the leaking is coming from too...

I'll be taking it into the garage on Tuesday, so a bit of pre-advice would be much appreciated!

Michael J · Jun 9th, 2013, 21:47

What colour is the coolant in the radiator expansion bottle?

BananaKing · Jun 9th, 2013, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael J

What colour is the coolant in the radiator expansion bottle?

It's clear... I did have a problem this week with that though - it all drained away! :O Turned out that the hose was cut/split, so the coolant was draining away... Sorted now though. So you think that's to do with it?

Steve and his 244 · Jun 9th, 2013, 22:06

Are you sure thats the engine dipstick? I know yours is an early model but both my 240s, 1980 and 1989 had a different dipstick to that, and i notice that yours must be an auto due to the lack of a master cylinder....

and ATF is red....

BananaKing · Jun 9th, 2013, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve and his 244

Are you sure thats the engine dipstick? I know yours is an early model but both my 240s, 1980 and 1989 had a different dipstick to that, and i notice that yours must be an auto due to the lack of a master cylinder....

and ATF is red....

Automatic, yes. Err, so if that's not the oil dipstick... ? :O

Volvorama · Jun 9th, 2013, 22:55

Then it's the auto gearbox dipstick. That's what it looks like in your photo. The engine oil is the other one (yellow?).
Now, what would Delboy Trotter call someone who gets them mixed up?

BananaKing · Jun 9th, 2013, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volvorama

Then it's the auto gearbox dipstick. That's what it looks like in your photo. The engine oil is the other one (yellow?).
Now, what would Delboy Trotter call someone who gets them mixed up?

I refuse to be called a plonker!

Ok, I'll take that. 2 dipsticks? What is this, sci-fi?

wooble · Jun 9th, 2013, 23:50

Autos have two dipsticks :P

The engine oil dipstick has a red handle and will be found towards the rear on the passenger side.

The gearbox dipstick you may note has a different scale on either side - one is with the box cold, and the other is with the box warm and the engine running. the auto box oil should be pinky-red - if it is ever brown or smells burnt, then you have a large problem on your hands.

It's also worth noting that the transmission cooler (built into the rad) can fail with age, and cause mixing of ATF and coolant - it won't hurt the engine overly, but it will cause rapid death of the autobox. One to look out for!

BananaKing · Jun 10th, 2013, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooble

Autos have two dipsticks :P

The engine oil dipstick has a red handle and will be found towards the rear on the passenger side.

The gearbox dipstick you may note has a different scale on either side - one is with the box cold, and the other is with the box warm and the engine running. the auto box oil should be pinky-red - if it is ever brown or smells burnt, then you have a large problem on your hands.

It's also worth noting that the transmission cooler (built into the rad) can fail with age, and cause mixing of ATF and coolant - it won't hurt the engine overly, but it will cause rapid death of the autobox. One to look out for!

Thanks for this advice, much appreciated everyone!
What do you think about the oil leaking from where it's leaking?

Volvorama · Jun 10th, 2013, 21:39

If a new gasket on the cam cover doesn't stop it leaking then there may be a crack in the top bit of the head (the non-vital bit that just covers up the cam).
I have two with cracks on the exhaust manifold side but it can be stopped up with some appropriate adhesive. It's a weird place for a crack and I think my two were caused either by careless engine / head fitting or a broken engine mount letting the engine thrash about. I was thinking that it could have hit the clutch master but one car's an auto so I'm not sure. Nonetheless I have two engines with cracks in the head in the same place - about 4/5 of the way back on the exhaust side.

Jun 9th, 2013, 21:24	#1
BananaKing Junior Member Last Online: Dec 1st, 2015 22:28 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Waterford	Foamy pink oil on the dipstick....? Ok, so I know I shouldn't be allowed to own such a lovely car, but I'm doing my best! :/ I've had a bit of an oil leak going on this week. The 2 photos below are as much as I can tell you... there is sort of a pink-ish foaminess on the dipstick, what's that about? Where the arrow points appears to be where the leaking is coming from too... I'll be taking it into the garage on Tuesday, so a bit of pre-advice would be much appreciated!

Jun 9th, 2013, 21:47	#2
Michael J Master Member Last Online: Jan 21st, 2018 16:48 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nottingham	What colour is the coolant in the radiator expansion bottle? __________________ rollin' rollin' rollin'

Jun 9th, 2013, 22:55	#6
Volvorama Too many cats Last Online: Aug 24th, 2023 09:02 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Birmingham	errr.... Then it's the auto gearbox dipstick. That's what it looks like in your photo. The engine oil is the other one (yellow?). Now, what would Delboy Trotter call someone who gets them mixed up? __________________ Mark

Jun 9th, 2013, 23:50	#8
wooble Stay gold baby! Last Online: Jul 24th, 2022 16:15 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bristol	Autos have two dipsticks :P The engine oil dipstick has a red handle and will be found towards the rear on the passenger side. The gearbox dipstick you may note has a different scale on either side - one is with the box cold, and the other is with the box warm and the engine running. the auto box oil should be pinky-red - if it is ever brown or smells burnt, then you have a large problem on your hands. It's also worth noting that the transmission cooler (built into the rad) can fail with age, and cause mixing of ATF and coolant - it won't hurt the engine overly, but it will cause rapid death of the autobox. One to look out for! __________________ Click to see 240 parts I want to give you money for!

Jun 10th, 2013, 21:39	#10
Volvorama Too many cats Last Online: Aug 24th, 2023 09:02 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Birmingham	Cracking Gromit.. If a new gasket on the cam cover doesn't stop it leaking then there may be a crack in the top bit of the head (the non-vital bit that just covers up the cam). I have two with cracks on the exhaust manifold side but it can be stopped up with some appropriate adhesive. It's a weird place for a crack and I think my two were caused either by careless engine / head fitting or a broken engine mount letting the engine thrash about. I was thinking that it could have hit the clutch master but one car's an auto so I'm not sure. Nonetheless I have two engines with cracks in the head in the same place - about 4/5 of the way back on the exhaust side. __________________ Mark

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