I'm new to this forum so please forgive me if I sound like a newbie.

I am helping a refugee family fix their van. I have had great success fixing my diesel truck with knowledge learned from these types of forums.

I'll get right to the issue..

2001 Ventura 3400 SFI V6. Engine is overheating and there is water in the oil.

What are possible causes? Head gaskets and/or oil cooler are things that first come to mind. I don't know what this engine has or what is the typical cause of problems of this nature.

I need to find a good pictorial diagram of the engine. Is there any posted somewhere?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

GM had a lot of issues with intake gaskets from 1996-2002 or so with all their V-6s, and a few v-8s. There are updated intake gaskets for the issue. Hopefully the engine hasn't been running with water it the oil for to long.
Good luck.

Mike

 

crack cylinder head or head gasket comes to mind.

 

I had a similar problem with my 2000 Venture 4 yrs ago as it was overheating with no visible leak that I could see. I started by checking and replacing hoses, radiator cap, the thermostat, coolant sensor, then water pump, flushed the coolant system,etc. Finally exhausted of my basic knowledge, I called a mechanic. He told me to look for a crusty yellowish orange crud around the valve cover and sure enough there is was. Final diagnoses was the intake and head gaskets needed to be replaced. Evidently, the Dexcool Antifreeze (red) that is used in these modals break down the gaskets causing them to fail. I also had the coolant changed and haven't had a problem since.

 

head gasket no doubt... if you have not fixed yet... its worth a shot but order a can of steel seal. its around $100 and about as good as it gets... worth a shot if you ask me.. a head gasket will be big money