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[oreopride]

Just as the topic says.

I just recently bought a 97 Prizm (4A-FE engine) with 169k miles on it for around $1k and expected for it to have its problems. I noticed the coolant was brown and assumed the car was going to have a blown headgasket.

The car drove 40 miles just fine (as in no overheating) and I got home and checked the oil itself. Not one drop of coolant in it. So now I have a car with dark, engine oil in the coolant and none going the other way. I did a coolant change and then delivered all day with the car just fine (it's a little rough on idle, but what do you expect with stock plugs and wires?). Upon checking the coolant again...I find a little oil in the collant again. The strangest part is not enough oil has been lost to cause "need oil" light to come on.

I'm going to go buy a manual today and see what is up with the car since it's not exhibiting any of the symptoms to suggest headgasket (primarily a tendency to overheat, coolant in the oil, or the smell of lean exhaust/white smoke). My 2 big questions is:

1) Any suggestions? This car doesn't smoke, doesn't overheat, and doesn't hesitate. But the oil is getting into the coolant at a rather alarming rate. Which brings me to..

2) Is there an engine oil cooler in the radiator for a 4A-FE? I was looking around but didnt see one. If so, are they notorious for going bad? I know they can go out in a radiator and I'd much rather pay $50 for a used radiator core than $600 in headgasket fixes.

Thanks,
Daniel