I really want it to be from the hoses! There are a lot of internet posts about little black particles in coolant.

But I have oily, smeary something. It floats more than coats; I can clear it up by inserting a paper towel in the tank and wicking it up.


In my case the car has had very little driving in the last few years and I wonder if that's a factor. In any case heres three of us with similiar symptoms. That encourages me to put down the torque wrench and look more closely.

I think what I will do first is drain down the coolant system, get the waterpump and thermostat gasket and look for a place other than the head where coolant and oil get close together. Ideas?