Milky Oil - Need Help

[GMC-YA68]

Engine had a bad oil leak from the valve covers so I swapped those gaskets, as well as the intake gaskets at the same time. Put new oil in it during that time as well. Got it fired back up last night for about 15 minutes and everything was good while timing it after installing a new HEI.

This morning went back out and fired it up again and it was an instant smoke show from the exhaust, radiator was empty, oil was a milkshake.

Any guesses? Never had any issues before the tear down except for the leaking oil.

[danny69]

I would say that your intake gasket is leaking water into the engine probably bad gaskets or miss aligned on installation.

[Blue/72]

[dirtyjim]

intake gasket probably slid down during installation. I had that happen on a ford van about 10 years ago. put a water hose in the radiator to fill it up then popped open a beer, that was about the time water started running out the throttle body. it filled the crank case completely up then went up the intake runner next to where the gasket slid down.

funny thing was that the air ratchet threaded the bolts right through the gasket where it slid down like it wasn't even there that taught me to start all the bolts by hand then then get after them with the air ratchet

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by dirtyjim

intake gasket probably slid down during installation. I had that happen on a ford van about 10 years ago. put a water hose in the radiator to fill it up then popped open a beer, that was about the time water started running out the throttle body. it filled the crank case completely up then went up the intake runner next to where the gasket slid down.

funny thing was that the air ratchet threaded the bolts right through the gasket where it slid down like it wasn't even there that taught me to start all the bolts by hand then then get after them with the air ratchet

I wouldn't have used an air ratchet period, those bolts need proper torque, nut bubba tight.

[dirtyjim]

I use an air ratchet to quickly snug up a lot of bolts not to torque them down, they are adjustable. now most of the time I'll use a 12volt impact driver to snug them down so I don't have to pull out the air hose

[57taskforce]

My bad I interpreted that as you sent them to their final resting place with the air ratchet.

[cdowns]

learn how to properly tighten bolts first b4 trying the speedy air rachet gizmo

[dirtyjim]

Originally Posted by cdowns

learn how to properly tighten bolts first b4 trying the speedy air rachet gizmo

bolts tightened up just fine grumpy cat, even gave me a funny story to tell years later. you must not have any funny stories to tell cause all I've ever seen you do is complain and offer smart alec remarks

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by dirtyjim

bolts tightened up just fine grumpy cat, even gave me a funny story to tell years later. you must not have any funny stories to tell cause all I've ever seen you do is complain and offer smart alec remarks

Thought it was just me that noticed that.

[swamp rat]

>>Grumpy cat<< Now thats funny stuff right there!

GMC-YA68, You didn't mention if you put any sealant on the intake bolts that pass into the water ports? Also, and some may differe in there opinion, i will always retorque the bolts after the engine is up to temp, then i check them again after it cools.

[Redline novdog]

GMCya68 sure wasn't the valve cover gaskets fault. Pull the intake back off start over. Things like that happen to me,just means you're workin'. Good luck!

[GMC-YA68]

Praying I may have jumped the gun on this post. Yes, I put sealant on the intake bolts. Here is what I did today. Drained the oil. It seemed to be the same amount as what I put in it weeks ago. (Just milky) put new oil in it and drove it around for hours today. Coolant seemed to stay the same level and oil didn't seem milky. I am hoping the coolant was from when I removed the intake and it got into the oil then. After a brief start up last night only stirred it into the oil causing the milky oil and smoke show from the start up this morning.

I am going to say 3 "Hail Marys" tonight and hope for the best in the AM....

[swamp rat]

Check the oil again before starting it up in the am.

[GMC-YA68]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Check the oil again before starting it up in the am.

10-4. Will do, and will keep you posted. Thanks for the tip.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by GMC-YA68

10-4. Will do, and will keep you posted. Thanks for the tip.

Was the smoke coming from exterior of the exhaust manifolds, or the pipes out the back?

Did you drain the coolant before you pulled the intake, and top it back off afterward?

After draining coolant, it's best to leave the heater hose off the intake then fill the coolant until it comes out the fitting, then put it back on and top it off. If you don't, it will create an air pocket and it will be hard to get the thermostat to open and fill the system all the way. The coolant needs to be right up on the bottom of the t-stat to activate it.

Like lighting a fire under someone's bottom only in this case the t-stat's bottom.

[GMC-YA68]

Everything is gold. I didn't drain the coolant before hand and I think most of it went down the engine. Ran it a lot of the day today and oil looks good, coolant looks good, no more oil leaks and the HEI swap is running perfect. False alarm fellas, but thanks for the help!

[MySons68C20]

A "Grumpy Cat" thumbs up to ya!!!