I have a 1996 Accord EX with 4cyl vtec engine. I am getting oil in coolant. The car runs great and has 200k miles. The radiator is bubbling over into the overflow tank and they both have oil in them. There is no smoke from the exhaust. I have read about the porous block problem in the 98 to 02 but didn't know if it was a problem in this generation or not. I know it could possibly be a head gasket. There is no water getting in the oil. Has anybody seen this in this generation of engine. Thanks.

 

The cracked block (porous block) is not usually an issue with the F22B1/2 series engines. I would say that you have a blown/leaking head gasket. If you want to be sure. Do a coolant pressure test and see if the coolant pressure drops. Then you have to find out where it's bleeding off.

 

i think if it was a blown headgasket it would smoke out the tailpipe no such description for that i say yours trans cooler in the radiator is leaking.honda tech is getting slack with responses.if the gasket was blown water and oil in the block would mix common sense this is radiator related!!!!!!!!

 

Only be a trans cooler issue if the car is an auto. Also I have never seen a trans cooler leak cause the coolant to bubble in the rad with the engine running.

FYI, not all leaking head gaskets force coolant into the combustion chamber and cause the engine to produce white smoke. They don't always leak into the oil galleries causing the milk shake ether. Some just leak out and down the side of the engine.

That is why I suggested for the op to do a coolant pressure test. If there is a leak, and obviously there is, it will show where the leak is. Whether it is in the rad or the block, a pressure test will confirm. He could also pull the dip stick on the trans and see if there is any coolant mixing in the case.

 

headgasket... do pressure test.. Hondaman OP could be burning coolant he just dosent know so calm down

 

i doubt oil would come into contact with coolant and not vice versa, the trans cooler does have pressure.either way a pressure test would not be out of order.

 

I appreciate all the replies. The coolant with the oil has no red tint at all so I am hesitant to think its the trans cooler. I just got the car so I don't know how much oil or coolant I'm losing. I do know it runs really good. It doesn't smoke unless you stomp down on the throttle and then it's not really excessive. It does not attempt to run hot, and it seems to have normal power. It really sounds like the porous block issue the later models have. I don't see any signs of water in the oil. Could it be possible the head gasket has only failed a little between a oil and coolant port and when the oil pressure get up it pushes in the coolant port. They radiator only bubbles over after the engine has been run a while. Did these engines ever have a porous block issue. Thanks

 

who said that a blown head gasket always throws smoke out the tailpipe. my headgasket was gone on my honda accord and never smoked EVER!!!!!