i have a 1998 v70 t5 with 140k. i noticed some water on the bottom of my oil dipstick and i am slowly losing coolant. the car seems to run fine, no smoke and not overheating.

i know usually this means a blown head gasket but im wondering if it could possibly be anything else? i have heard that the oil goes into the radiator is that true? could it be a leak elsewhere? any ideas?

 

did the low coolant light come on? How do you know you are losing coolant?

I don't know what the temperature is like in your area, but a lot of times when its starts getting cold out, moisture starts to build in the engine causing the water like stuff on the dipstick. Solution is to replace the o-ring at the top of the dipstick.

 

i just looked at the car and i do seem to have a drip of coolant on the bottom of the oil pan not sure where its coming from though. It has been very cold here the last few days rarely above freezing. and no lights or warnings have come on at all. there is no frothy white stuff under the oil cap either

 

I would go ahead and at least change the o-ring to see if it will help.

If not, you probably only spent a few cents.

 

I have S70 with 200k + miles, same problem, noticed some water on the bottom of my oil dipstick and I am slowly losing coolant. the car seems to run fine, However there is white smoke coming out muffler when I accelerate. Also the disptick has some kind of residue, pus-like.

 

Soon you will notice your car is NOT running fine. That gunk on the dip stick - it is clogging your engine. It is the result of what ever coolant is not being blown out your tailpipe running down the cylinder walls and mixing with the oil. 200k miles. Start saving your money for a new car fund.