So like the title says i have oil in my cooling system , not a lot, but definitely a distinguishable amount in the reservoir and radiator. I can't visually see any coolant in the oil at this time, though i suppose that isn't super reliable for a number reasons (pressure difference of the two systems, small leak=trace amounts ). Thing is there is no overheating problem currently, like i said no coolant in oil (that i can see), no bubbling in the cooling system and not really any white exhaust smoke....all tell tale signs of a blown head gasket.
***I also did a compression check got around 135 on all cylinders (a bit low but all cylinders were very close to the same psi)

What do you guys think it is, blown head gasket or something else like a bad intake manifold gasket?

thanks for anytime taken to respond, i really appreciate it.

P.S. I was thinking of getting a $50 hydrocarbon tester off amazon to confirm a leak...any thoughts on that as well? a different cheaper idea perhaps?

 

Most shops will do a hydrocarbon test on your car's coolant while you wait.

 

Alright, i did not know that. Thanks MSgt Luttrell for the post, that sounds like a free alternative and that is my favorite kind haha.

Got any thoughts on the head gasket/oil in the coolant thing?

 

In most cases a blown head gasket will cause an over heating condition, where as an intake gasket can fail and not cause an overheat condition.

 

I've had experience with that series of engine and had 3 blown intake gaskets in 3 different cars. That's were I would start. Check and see if you also have a coolant leak at the back of the engine too.

 

If it was a blown intake gasket, would a hydrocarbon test/block tester confirm that? There is no exterior coolant leak at all.

 

Update****
I rented an engine block tester from autozone and confirmed i do not have any exhaust gasses in my cooling system and thus do not have a cracked head/block or blown head gasket.
So this essentially confirms i have a blown intake gasket correct, based on the oil in my cooling system without the presence of exhaust gasses?

P.S. no coolant in the rear of the engine muswp1

 

Sounds like a typical intake gasket failure.