Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Why is engine oil leaking into my car’s coolant system?

I was taking a look under the hood of my car and found something concerning: I think there’s oil in my coolant reservoir. Why is engine oil leaking into the coolant system?

avatar
Melanie Mergen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no! Engine oil and coolant are both vital to keeping your engine running properly, but they’re meant to stay separate from each other. One of the most common causes for engine oil to leak into the coolant system is a failed engine gasket or seal.
The main tell-tale sign that you’ve been dealing with an ongoing leak of oil into the coolant system will be brown sludge in your coolant, which it sounds like you’ve discovered.
If your coolant has been contaminated with oil, in addition to finding and addressing the source of the leak, you’ll need to have the coolant flushed and replaced.
It sounds like it’s good that you discovered this when you did, because oil in your coolant system could prevent it from working properly, which could cause your
engine
to overheat. To avoid more serious damage, it would be a good idea to get your car into a
mechanic
as soon as possible to fix the issue.
While you look after your car, it’s a good idea to make sure your
car insurance
policy is taken care of, too. The
Jerry
app can help you do just that!
All you have to do is download the app, answer a few questions, and then, you can start comparing car insurance quotes from top providers, all in one spot. From there you can look through coverage options and rates, then pick the best option for you.
Getting started takes less than a minute, and the average Jerry user saves $887 per year!
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings