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[kman]

my 01 v6 catera has lost about a half liter of coolant over a 2 month time span.  (So little in fact, I only noticed it because the dummy dash light came on). A tiny puddle forms under the alternator, on top of oil pan.  thought it was just a hose or something fairly simple, wanted to stave off the repair until spring=warmer weather.

But today while performing routine oil change, I notice some brownish/chocolate foamy condensation under oil filler cap?

Oil stream during change looked okay- just dark oil from 3K miles of driving

My work commute is an hour each way and the car shows no problems. Runs perfect- normal operating temperature, no oil loss, strong interior heat, no skipping, No CEL's. 

The maintenance thread outlining head gasket repair procedure claims Head gaskets rarely fail on these hearty 6 cyl engines....and since the car runs perfect I'm keeping fingers crossed.

Could the coolant be mixing with oil?  Could the car run perfect with that happening?

any thoughts or insights are greatly appreciated.

[05omegav6]

If you can get it, try GM/AC Delco oil rather than budget/Castrol... otherwise, keep an eye on the breathers and not worry too much about it

Wrt the coolant leak, to get there, it could be coming from a couple of places... oil cooler cover and water pump being the primary candidates... best bet is too pressure test it and go from there... if you want to wait a bit then keep it topped up with the relevant mix for your area, but at least 50/50

[Lazydocker]

I'd say that it's highly unlikely to be a Head Gasket. 

[kman]

thanks for the advice
 
so what does gm/ac delco oil have that penzoil and the others don't? I've always run big name brands for oil, usually whats on sale from the parts store. never had an issue (until maybe now)

keep an eye on the breathers?  can you be a bit more specific?

[05omegav6]

Breathers here...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90653.0

Some oils are prone to cap mayo... In our experience GM oils are least susceptible to this

[kman]

alrighty then, I'm gonna hunt down the GM stuff and dump the penzoil I just put in. 

Really love driving my catera, so quiet and smooth, she just loves to cruze.
Thanks for all the advice...folks in these parts know nothing about omega built catera. All but extinct really.  I haven't seen another on the road in quite a while.  Even the dealers around here won't work on them.