Yes, indeed. My trusty 1998 V70 GLT has oil in the coolant system. Honestly, because I have another car, I've been hesitant to investigate fully because I'm afraid of what I might find. Of course I dread the worst, the blown head gasket, but I wanted to get some other tips and opinions from those more experienced. After a week, I'm finally trying to deal with it.
Here are some symptoms:

-- I noticed I was leaking coolant but couldn't pinpoint the exact location.
-- When filling the reservoir, I noticed engine oil in it and haven't driven it since.
-- The car seems to start and run fine, and I don't have fluid in the tailpipe.
-- For months before this, I was getting minimal yet constant white smoke in the exhaust.
-- I noticed it took longer for it to warm up to operating temp than normal and changed the thermostat.
-- My wife has been driving the car more than me lately, so I haven't been able to keep proper tabs as I normally would.

It is my understanding that there are possibly other coolers integrated into the system: transmission? turbo? And these can develop gasket leaks allowing oil into the coolant as well.

Can anyone advise me on some solid methods for narrowing or troubleshooting the problem? I dread oil in the system congealing and making things possibly worse and causing overheating.

I'd greatly appreciate any guidance. Thanks!

 

Yes there is a oil cooler in the radiator.
usually it is the tranny one that goes bad but the oil cooler can go out as well.
I guess the best way to find out of it is the cooler would be to find a pressure tester for the cooling system. Then remove the oil cooler lines(Passenger side if radiator) then put pressure in the cooling system. Then see if coolant leaks out from oil cooler line connections.

 

Thanks tech!

Since this is a closed radiator system (at least I think it is?) I'd have to do this with a pressure tester hooked up to the reservoir, right? I may have to have a shop do this, because I know a solid tester isn't easy to come by. I may be able to mock one up.

I used to have access to decent tools, but I'm pretty limited on good tools and shop space where I currently am

I appreciate the help!

 

I am leaking oil in a few spots in the front end of the car. Had a mechanic look at it who did not want to tackle the job. There was a replacement engine put in not too long ago. The mechanic said that it looked like the engine that was installed was not sealed properly. Can anyone tell me when it would entail and how long to fix the problem?

 

Yes it is a sealed system.