Oil and coolant whipped into an emulsion by the engine will not separate, you have goop for the lack of a better term.

And goop doesn't lubricate worth a darn, you're going to have to tear into that engine toot sweet, and expect the worst....while hoping for the best.

 

Didn't your dipstick read Overfull ?? had to, that's a LOT of coolant to just disappear..

Yes that is why the oil is brown..

I would be concerned about the bearings..

 

Right around 3000 miles after last oil change I checked the dipstick and it showed low. I added about half a quart of oil. When we drained it it was about half a quart over 5 quarts.

 

Were you checking the oil level, after it was fully hot & then shut off ?

 

It was cold because we checked it at the end of the work day

 

Interesting, generally it will read higher when cold. Since the oil drains down into the pan.

That's why the most accurate check should be done right after running it.

 

I think a lot of that coolant went out the tailpipe, and the remainder got into the crankcase due to blow by, but a true diagnosis will have to wait until the head is off at the very least.

 

agreed, although I'd expect to see discoloration on 1 or more of the spark plugs..

 

Unless the plug in the questionable cylinder is being "steam cleaned", that's why I asked if the engine had been looked into with a scope. One suspiciously clean cylinder just about says it all, the rule is carbon, carbon, carbon, super clean....we have a winner!

 

I understand that the water pump is in the crank case and is driven by the timing chain. Is it possible that the water pump is leaking? Anyone ever heard of a leaking water pump causing this problem?