mysterious coolant in the oil pan

[oxic_berry]

so, my friend has a 2001 sport trac and in the most recent oil change found that 15-20% of the drained oil was actually coolant. the car has never overheated, and this is the first time coolant was found in the oil.
it just got cold in michigan, so i wonder if it was a temperature change?
intake manifold gasket letting coolant from the water jackets?
head gasket?
something else?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Was oil found in the cooling system too?

 

[koda2000]

The intake manifold on the SOHC engine doesn't have coolant running through it like the OHV V6 and V8 do. Leaking intake gaskets on the OHV engines can lead to coolant in the oil pan, but not on the SOHC V6. I'm thinking you have a leaking head gasket, which is a big job on the SOHC.

You might want to try a good cooling system sealant (I've had good luck with K-Seal), but it's a bit of a Hail Mary.

 

[oxic_berry]

yikes, thanks for the help, my friend did end up selling it i was sad to see it go but it was probably for the better