It could be a couple of things first can you tell what color the oil is if it is brown/black it could mean your head gasket is blown or if it is red it is comming from the .trany
Either coolant is low or the sensor in the reservoir is stuck with dirt. Clean the reservoir with soap and water
There are a couple of things that can cause oil to get into your coolant reservoir. A blown head gasket or a broken piston ring are the most common causes.
on the 1996 grand am the evap canister is located on the passenger side, in the fender. would need to remove the coolant reservoir to reach.
blown head gasket
Do you have an oil cooler? I have heard that is a possible cause, as would be the head gaskets.
It probably has a leak. Here's something to check - the radiator has a tube coming out to the reservoir, so when it gets hot and expands the coolant goes into the reservoir and should go back into the radiator when it cools, but if your reservoir has a crack and the coolant leaks out, well it's gone and can't go back into the radiator - this would cause a lot of loss of coolant.
A pressurized coolant reservoir would have a thread on cap which acts as the " rad " cap
It would be on the coolant reservoir.
It cost me $185.00. That includes $85 for new reservoir tank and coolant & $100 labor.
Radiator could be plugged or restricted
Head gasket failing The most common cause is a blown head gasket. Stop driving the car as severe engine damage will occur.
This is a indication of a blown head gasket,unless it has been over filled or overheated.If you are getting combustion in the cooling system you will see air coming up through the coolant in the reservoir,be careful it can blow hot coolant out without any warning.Most shops have a tool that will detect combustion gases in the coolant,it should be a inexpensive test.