I opened up the coolant reservoir today and there was some nice black oil floating on top of it. However, there was no coolant in the oil when I changed the oil today.
The car is an early 1984 190D 2.2.
Any possibilities other than a head gasket? How hard a job is a head gasket on a 2.2l diesel?
The car doesn't drive like it's blown a head gasket, unless it's harder to tell with diesels. I had a Ford 3.8 V6 with a blown head gasket, and you could definitely tell.
Also, I haven't really checked the coolant since my wife purchased it a couple years ago, so I don't know how long that's been there.
Right now, my best solution is to wait and see what happens.
Remember that oil pressure is higher than coolant pressure, so if there is a break in the head gasket between the coolant jacket and the oil channel you will get oil in the coolant, but very little coolant in the oil. Also, the compression will not be affected.
If you are starting from scratch, just drain the coolant and fill with distilled water. Give it a few days of driving and check again to be sure. You really don't want to tear the head off unless you absolutely have to.
well the fact that its a deisel it needs compression, more then a gas motor, thats what a deisel needs, its all comperession. thats why our motors have less then 200 psi per cylinder, while diesel motors have about 300-400+ psi.
Peanut butter in my chocolate. 
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