Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

My Gen2 3.5 has started getting oil in the radiator reservoir.

Not a thick sludge but it is black. Started getting hot but not to the red line if I slow down and turn the aircon off.

No water in the oil that I can see.

Is my head gasket toast?


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Hi Simon, it has been a while

I saw your similar post on the other side as well and I agree that a good starting point would be the oil cooler.

Here is my experience from my student cars (last time I had that problem):
Oil to water can be a one way affair when the breach is where the oil pressure wins the battle.
The oil should get churned up into a grey emulsion by the waterpump. Check inside the radiator.

Could the black stuff in the expansion bottle be from a failing radiator hose?