question about head gaskets and oil and coolant mixing
 

In December I had my shop replace the head gasket on my TE wagon. At that time the head was sent out to be oven baked and redone, since it was warped. They also replaced several other cooing system parts.
Within a week or so after they did the head gasket the radiator split open and the temperature got very close to 120 deg F once. They replaced the radiator.

Within the last week or so, its low coolant light has begun to come on. So far I've added 3 qts of coolant, and the last time what was in the tank looked brown, and previously I've seen droplets of oil in the tank.

My question is, should I expect the shop to redo the head gasket at their expense if that's what turns out to be the source of the coolant loss?
I don't have a very good feeling after seeing brownish liquid in the overflow tank.
The car goes into the shop on Tuesday, so I wanted to get some opinions from you guys.

Just wondering, and thanks, Bob

A couple of hints here.

First, there is a transmission cooler in the radiator that, if it leaks a little, can turn the coolant colors.

Also, the SMALLEST little bit of oil in the coolant will appear to be alot.

Allow them to clean and flush the system then check on it. We have had to flush them 5-6 times with degreaser to get the oil out of the system.

Wow, Benzmac, thanks for the reply :)

The shop gives a one-year warranty on their work; somehow through AAA. They've been pretty fair with me in the past; I just wanted to know what I might be up against.

I love the car, and am hoping that they can get these things sorted out. It's a pain adding coolant every couple days, and I'm sure it's not a good thing to have leaks like this.

Thanks again for the reply, Bob

I should add one more thing. When I remove the funnel after topping off the coolant tank, there is a residue on the funnel that is butterscotch in color.

Also, the last time the car was in the shop, I asked him to check for the source of a rough idle. My mechanic noticed that the O2 sensor was doing something out of range. (0-1.2 if I recall...)

Whew... according to the shop, it's a pinhole leak in a heater hose.

Considering asking them to drain and flush the cooling system; it's been about 3000 miles since the head gasket was done.

Also I'm probably going to go ahead with the oxygen sensor. Will this affect idle smoothness, power, and fuel economy?

Thanks again, Bob