Is the van an auto or a manual? if its an auto The heat transfer section in the radiator could have split allowing trans fluid into the radiator mixing with the coolant giving the appearance of a head problem.... I have seen this a few times before
was just a thought.
Cheers.
Adam.

Hi Rob, these are a cam in block push-rod engine so that oil hole you have illustrated is to supply the rocker assembly up top with lubrication.

The cam is lubricated elsewhere along the circuit, I'm pretty sure it's secondary to the feed from the crankshaft.

I'm not too sure how else you could get oil in the coolant apart from it being a gasket issue, I'll have a think about it some more (bit early!) and get back to you. I would insist it were a gasket failure though, do you have some clearer photos to try and see if there was indeed a gasket failure?

Hi Rob, welcome.

Yes, the cam is lubricated by that hole.

That is the only gasket where oil and water both pass (the head gasket).

Nissan recommends re-torquing the head gasket bolts ever twenty-four months (every two years) -- of normal driving -- so that may be the problem. It may not have been torqued correctly.

A-series cylinder heads rarely if ever need skimming. The specification is up to 0.004 " from flat and it won't leak. You can measure this with a straight edge.

Hi all, greetings from Ireland. I have an A15 in an 1986 Nissan Vanette that my father in law gave to me about 5 years ago and I'm now trying to fix here up as they are rare over here these days. The van was parked up for about 4 years but started on the second attempt the other day but I found oil in the rad. The head gasket was done just before he gave it to me but now after its long lay up its acting up again.


I stripped the head to have a better look and the head seems fine, no cracks etc. I found a bit of carbon build up on one of the gasket rings though. I dont think the head was skimmed the last time it was done but I'm hoping you could advise me on where to go from here.

I'm wondering if there is another way these engines can let the water & oil mix. I know very little about engines but would I be right in saying that there is only one way oil can get up into the cam area and thats through one hole in the centre of the head, pic below. and that if the gasket failed here the water & oil could mix?










The gasket didnt look as if it has broken anywhere so I'm guessing the last guy who was a handy man that done the head didnt do it right?








Last picture turned out bad, it was getting dark. Any ideas or opinions are welcome.

Thanks, Rob.