A friend called me this morning having noticed oil on the surface of the coolant in the reservoir. Claims the car was never run with low coolant level and oil is changed regularly. The amount of oil is fairly small at this time.

Question is the possibility that the oil could be coming from the turbo or is this most likely a cracked head gasket ?

Any thoughts on how to proceed in diagnosing the source would be appreciated.

 

There are only three (well four if your a complete tard) for oil to be in the coolant.

#1. Head Gasket / cracked head or block

#2. Oil cooler portion of radiator MOST likely

#3. Turbo (would think this to be least likely)

#4. I once saw someone actually PUT oil into the coolant reservoir of a VW once by accident. (He WAS a complete tard)

I am thinking that the radiator is the culprit. Oil pressure typically exceeds coolant pressure allowing the leak. A bad head gasket is a close second as a cause.

I have also seen cars with a "warped" head that have same symptom.

Any other issues like overheating? Has it BEEN overheated?

Any coolant in the OIL?