Here's a breakdown of what's happening and what you should do:
Oil in the Coolant: This means there's a breach in the separation between your engine's oil system and its cooling system. The most common cause is a blown head gasket, which seals the combustion chambers from the coolant passages. A cracked engine block or cylinder head is another possibility, though less common.
Car Not Heating Up: This could be due to several reasons, some unrelated to the oil-in-coolant issue, but others could be consequences of it:
* Thermostat stuck open: This prevents the engine from reaching operating temperature.
* Low coolant level: Related to the head gasket failure; coolant is leaking into the oil, causing a low coolant level.
* Coolant leak: A separate leak somewhere in the cooling system.
* Faulty water pump: The water pump circulates coolant, a failure would prevent proper heat transfer.
* Air in the cooling system: This can hinder efficient heat transfer.
Why the lack of heating might be *related* to the oil in the coolant: If the head gasket is blown, coolant could be leaking into the oil and vice versa, leading to low coolant levels and subsequently preventing the car from heating up properly because there's not enough coolant to transfer heat.
What you should do IMMEDIATELY:
1. Do NOT drive the car: Continuing to drive with oil in the coolant will cause severe engine damage, potentially leading to a complete engine failure. The oil contaminates the coolant and can cause internal engine parts to overheat and seize.
2. Have it towed to a qualified mechanic: This is not a DIY fix. A proper diagnosis and repair are essential. Driving the car will likely worsen the problem significantly and cost you much more in the long run.
3. Describe the symptoms clearly to the mechanic: Mention both the oil in the coolant and the lack of heating.
Possible Repairs (determined by the mechanic):
* Head gasket replacement: This is the most likely repair if a head gasket is the problem. It's a relatively major repair.
* Engine block or head repair or replacement: A cracked block or head is a more extensive and expensive problem. In some cases, repair may not be economically feasible, and replacement of the engine may be necessary.
Ignoring this problem will lead to catastrophic engine damage. Get it checked immediately to avoid extensive and expensive repairs or a complete engine replacement.
