See attached photo. I put in an OCC for the first time, two months ago, at the 325,000 mark. I just checked it today and there's a milky, foamy stuff on top. Coolant, right? I emptied it out, some darker, nuttier, rich brown oil at the bottom. Kinda chunky bits, too. I'm assuming this is a clear indication of a head gasket leak? I've used two bottles of K-Seal over the past couple years due to knocking. I have to refill the coolant every few weeks, and sometimes add in a quart of oil. Also, if I have the heater on and I come to a stop, I smell the coolant quite suddenly. Once I'm moving again, it's gone. This has been going on for a long time. Heater core? I know the car probably has a terminal condition, but it's been coasting along for a couple years or so. Any suggestions to fix the coolant smell, the leak, the foam? Not going to do a head gasket repair, that's beyond my level. Thanks for any help!
Here's what the oil catch can spooge looks like on our 2019 Prius Prime after being installed for 9k miles at the 30k mile oil change interval: Sort of like a cappuccino . No coolant smell thankfully.
I've noticed two different substances in the OCC. I've emptied it about 4 or 5 times now, about 20k miles later. There's a liquid that is more like Worcestershire sauce that usually settles to the bottom, and another substance that is like melted chocolate ice cream. Again, I have to add coolant and oil occasionally, indicative of a head gasket. But, nevertheless, it seems stable.
For comparison, here’s what I drained about a month back, collected since last fall, and tends to have a lot more water than the fall drain. It’s 2 cans in series, first one on the left. Bottom layer water, top is oil. Addendum: this was about 2k kms worth.
