Water in the engine w/ the oil! What now? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72superBB · 12-17-2003, 11:17 PM

Well crap folks!

I have water in my engine. There is water on the oil dipstick. There is white creamy stuff on the underside of the oil cap. What do I do?

Can it be intake manifold leaking water into engine?

Blown head gaskets?

Cracked heads?

Where should I start?

1972 Chevy C-10, 402 BB, TH400...........

jcab · 12-17-2003, 11:19 PM

personally I would start with a compression test and go from there.

72superBB · 12-17-2003, 11:21 PM

here are the compression results

__________________firewall

passenger side _____________________drivers side
155_________________________________ 145

150_________________________________ 150

160_________________________________ 145

145_________________________________ 140

hope this helps

__________________

bow-tie-bandit · 12-17-2003, 11:21 PM

Could be your head gasket, have the cooling system pressure tested. Or possibly a cracked cylinder bore or cylinder head. Doesn't sound good. Good luck.

dinnut · 12-17-2003, 11:22 PM

i think he just did a compression test. dude, it looks like its about time to rebuild that engine. blowby was the first sign and now you have water in the oil. probably a blown head gasket

shuttermutt · 12-17-2003, 11:25 PM

There's the off-chance that it's just condensation, too. I've been fooled before. It's not uncommon to see the milky white stuff appear when the temperatures change rapidly.

When you ran your compression test, did you have all the plugs out? Did you hear a hissing noise at any point (blown head gasket between two cylinders)? Maybe it's just wishful thinking for you, but I say to hold off on the panic until you can rule out other possibilities.

jeffspower · 12-17-2003, 11:28 PM

Are you sure it is coolant & not just milky moisture from blowby or thermostat not holding/short trips not getting engine hot enough? Cold weather makes some engines do this bad. Is the coolant level going down in the radiator?

72superBB · 12-17-2003, 11:29 PM

All the plugs were out. Never heard any hissing.

Engine is bored .60 over. Where would I get another normal 402 block to replace this on with? I cannot rebuild it with it 60 over right?

thanks for your help.

Ron

72superBB · 12-17-2003, 11:30 PM

Coolant level has gone down.

**old Rusty C10** · 12-17-2003, 11:31 PM

sounds to me like ya should tear it down.. it looks like the head gasket is shot IMHO now if its only a little moisture or milky stuff on there id agree to hold off but the way im reading it this milky stuff is pretty bad .

72superBB · 12-17-2003, 11:35 PM

I put a new oil cap on the valve cover 2 days ago. There is already buildup on the underside. This morning as soon as I shut the truck off,there was oil or water or something leaking on the ground. The drivers side of the tranny bell housing was all wet. Below the front intake rubber gasket seal and above the water pump line, it was all wet there as well. I thought that was water there, but another guy said it was oil.

*rage'nrat638* · 12-17-2003, 11:42 PM

teeitup's got a 402

jeffspower · 12-17-2003, 11:48 PM

Does it have an aluminum intake? much more prone for gasket leakage. If a considerable amount of antifreeze is getting in the crankcase, crack the oil drain plug loose after sitting overnight & you should see pure coolant come out at first. The antifreeze will settle to the bottom after sitting.

72superBB · 12-17-2003, 11:55 PM

It has an Edlebrock Peformer 2.0 intake. I think that is a cast one, I am not for sure.
thanks

Ron

Rooster's 67 · 12-18-2003, 01:50 AM

also look at the spark plugs if you are getting coolant/water into the combustion chamber it will clean the ceramic on the plug to an almost bran-new lookin white color. The water cleans the carbon out. that will tell 1: which cylinder
2:which side of the motor
3: if it is possibly head gasket

dinnut · 12-18-2003, 01:53 AM

just stick a 454 in there!

Duallie · 12-18-2003, 02:51 AM

Replace the intake manifold gaskets and run Havoline to get rid of the (hopefully) condensation. Make sure it gets hot enough long enough (no short trips) to burn off the condensation.

mikep684x4 · 12-18-2003, 02:59 AM

Most of the water in the oil problems with big blocks I've found are in the heads (cracking by and between the valves),but you can take that 402 .125 over standard bore.The 396 is the only big block you can't go more than .60 over safely because of the casting flaw,the 402 is a .30 over recast of the 396. I dont recommend going that far over because of cooling probs and the pistons are pricey, If you could find a 454 block,you could use your crank and rods, buy some pistons and build a 427.That way you increse your cubic inches but keep your rotating mass lighter. Not to mention you can buzz the he!! out of them.Good luck

Cat Fuzz · 12-18-2003, 05:04 AM

Listen to Rooster's 67, check the spark plugs. They tell stories.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 12-18-2003, 11:20 PM

I'd say it's either an intake or head gasket!

walker · 12-18-2003, 11:27 PM

I say no to the head gasket. There are no numbers drastically lower than others. I would do a cooling system pressure test, and a cylinder stand up test with air pressure. Also, fill your coolant all the way to the top of the filler neck, just use water, and run the engine. Look for bubbles coming out of the neck in a regular pattern.

72superBB · 12-18-2003, 11:42 PM

walker,

What is it that I am looking for when Ido this. What is it that you are getting at for theses test?

I know I am losong coolant because I have filled it up and it is lower now.

thanks

Ron

matt_field · 12-19-2003, 12:25 AM

sounds just like my 67 with the 383 stroker, i had a little blow by. then one day i was driving it and my tailgate was covered with water and antifreeze was going everywhere, nice milk oil. replaced the headgasket myslef and had my heads redone at a local shop, and $800.00 later im good to go driving again. damn that was a bad experience.

matt

GOODLUCK

dinnut · 12-19-2003, 12:28 AM

why was your tailgate covered in water?

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 12-19-2003, 12:31 AM

Probably because it was coming out of the exhaust which was ran straight out the back.

12-17-2003, 11:17 PM	#1
72superBB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mandan, ND Posts: 422	Water in the engine w/ the oil! What now? Well crap folks! I have water in my engine. There is water on the oil dipstick. There is white creamy stuff on the underside of the oil cap. What do I do? Can it be intake manifold leaking water into engine? Blown head gaskets? Cracked heads? Where should I start? 1972 Chevy C-10, 402 BB, TH400........... __________________ Life is full of choices and a Chevy is the best choice. 1990 Chevy SWB

12-17-2003, 11:19 PM	#2
jcab I need more money.... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 145	personally I would start with a compression test and go from there. __________________ Jay. '68 LWB C10 '74 Duster ("It's not Rusted out, it's been modified for weight reduction") '91 Civic '97 Saturn '88 Celica AWD turbo (R.I.P.) 273 hp Mustang Killer

12-17-2003, 11:21 PM	#3
72superBB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mandan, ND Posts: 422	here are the compression results __________________firewall passenger side _____________________drivers side 155_________________________________ 145 150_________________________________ 150 160_________________________________ 145 145_________________________________ 140 hope this helps __________________ __________________ Life is full of choices and a Chevy is the best choice. 1990 Chevy SWB

12-17-2003, 11:21 PM	#4
bow-tie-bandit Live life and be happy. Join Date: May 2003 Location: Spokane,Washington Posts: 266	Could be your head gasket, have the cooling system pressure tested. Or possibly a cracked cylinder bore or cylinder head. Doesn't sound good. Good luck. __________________

12-17-2003, 11:22 PM	#5
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	i think he just did a compression test. dude, it looks like its about time to rebuild that engine. blowby was the first sign and now you have water in the oil. probably a blown head gasket __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-17-2003, 11:25 PM	#6
shuttermutt Don't say "Oops!", Doctor Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 677	There's the off-chance that it's just condensation, too. I've been fooled before. It's not uncommon to see the milky white stuff appear when the temperatures change rapidly. When you ran your compression test, did you have all the plugs out? Did you hear a hissing noise at any point (blown head gasket between two cylinders)? Maybe it's just wishful thinking for you, but I say to hold off on the panic until you can rule out other possibilities. __________________ 'Mutt 1968 CST LWB: R.I.P. 1967 Chevelle: TPI 454 beast 1967 C10 SWB: Claimed when Bumpster didn't put it on his list

12-17-2003, 11:28 PM	#7
jeffspower Well, Whoop-dee-do! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Easton, Mo. pop.- me & scarcely a few others Posts: 2,302	Are you sure it is coolant & not just milky moisture from blowby or thermostat not holding/short trips not getting engine hot enough? Cold weather makes some engines do this bad. Is the coolant level going down in the radiator?

12-17-2003, 11:29 PM	#8
72superBB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mandan, ND Posts: 422	All the plugs were out. Never heard any hissing. Engine is bored .60 over. Where would I get another normal 402 block to replace this on with? I cannot rebuild it with it 60 over right? thanks for your help. Ron __________________ Life is full of choices and a Chevy is the best choice. 1990 Chevy SWB

12-17-2003, 11:30 PM	#9
72superBB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mandan, ND Posts: 422	Coolant level has gone down. __________________ Life is full of choices and a Chevy is the best choice. 1990 Chevy SWB

12-17-2003, 11:31 PM	#10
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,302	sounds to me like ya should tear it down.. it looks like the head gasket is shot IMHO now if its only a little moisture or milky stuff on there id agree to hold off but the way im reading it this milky stuff is pretty bad . __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-17-2003, 11:35 PM	#11
72superBB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mandan, ND Posts: 422	I put a new oil cap on the valve cover 2 days ago. There is already buildup on the underside. This morning as soon as I shut the truck off,there was oil or water or something leaking on the ground. The drivers side of the tranny bell housing was all wet. Below the front intake rubber gasket seal and above the water pump line, it was all wet there as well. I thought that was water there, but another guy said it was oil. __________________ Life is full of choices and a Chevy is the best choice. 1990 Chevy SWB

12-17-2003, 11:42 PM	#12
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	teeitup's got a 402

12-17-2003, 11:48 PM	#13
jeffspower Well, Whoop-dee-do! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Easton, Mo. pop.- me & scarcely a few others Posts: 2,302	Does it have an aluminum intake? much more prone for gasket leakage. If a considerable amount of antifreeze is getting in the crankcase, crack the oil drain plug loose after sitting overnight & you should see pure coolant come out at first. The antifreeze will settle to the bottom after sitting.

12-17-2003, 11:55 PM	#14
72superBB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mandan, ND Posts: 422	It has an Edlebrock Peformer 2.0 intake. I think that is a cast one, I am not for sure. thanks Ron __________________ Life is full of choices and a Chevy is the best choice. 1990 Chevy SWB

12-18-2003, 01:50 AM	#15
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	also look at the spark plugs if you are getting coolant/water into the combustion chamber it will clean the ceramic on the plug to an almost bran-new lookin white color. The water cleans the carbon out. that will tell 1: which cylinder 2:which side of the motor 3: if it is possibly head gasket __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?



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12-18-2003, 01:53 AM	#16
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	just stick a 454 in there! __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-18-2003, 02:51 AM	#17
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	Replace the intake manifold gaskets and run Havoline to get rid of the (hopefully) condensation. Make sure it gets hot enough long enough (no short trips) to burn off the condensation. __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

12-18-2003, 02:59 AM	#18
mikep684x4 Seeker of the big and bad Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: wheatland,Calif,yuba Posts: 105	Most of the water in the oil problems with big blocks I've found are in the heads (cracking by and between the valves),but you can take that 402 .125 over standard bore.The 396 is the only big block you can't go more than .60 over safely because of the casting flaw,the 402 is a .30 over recast of the 396. I dont recommend going that far over because of cooling probs and the pistons are pricey, If you could find a 454 block,you could use your crank and rods, buy some pistons and build a 427.That way you increse your cubic inches but keep your rotating mass lighter. Not to mention you can buzz the he!! out of them.Good luck __________________ 71 3/4 ton 4x4,665hp 454. 67 GMC 1 ton towtruck 68 chevy LB 4x4 64 chevy LB custom 57 Bel-air 2d station wagon

12-18-2003, 05:04 AM	#19
Cat Fuzz My son, my joy. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	Listen to Rooster's 67, check the spark plugs. They tell stories.

12-18-2003, 11:20 PM	#20
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	I'd say it's either an intake or head gasket! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

12-18-2003, 11:27 PM	#21
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	I say no to the head gasket. There are no numbers drastically lower than others. I would do a cooling system pressure test, and a cylinder stand up test with air pressure. Also, fill your coolant all the way to the top of the filler neck, just use water, and run the engine. Look for bubbles coming out of the neck in a regular pattern. __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold

12-18-2003, 11:42 PM	#22
72superBB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mandan, ND Posts: 422	walker, What is it that I am looking for when Ido this. What is it that you are getting at for theses test? I know I am losong coolant because I have filled it up and it is lower now. thanks Ron __________________ Life is full of choices and a Chevy is the best choice. 1990 Chevy SWB

12-19-2003, 12:25 AM	#23
matt_field Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Detroit Lakes, Minnesota Posts: 885	sounds just like my 67 with the 383 stroker, i had a little blow by. then one day i was driving it and my tailgate was covered with water and antifreeze was going everywhere, nice milk oil. replaced the headgasket myslef and had my heads redone at a local shop, and $800.00 later im good to go driving again. damn that was a bad experience. matt GOODLUCK __________________ 1971 k5 blazer 80k mike survivor 1972 3/4 ton 4wd Cummins 12v 1967 swb 2wd 427bbc 1968 4wd shortbox 1971 Cheyenne swb k10 unrestored 1971 Cheyenne super 40k 402bb survivor 1967 Chevy k10 (first truck) 1968 L78 camaro survivor 18k miles 1969 z28 survivor 60k miles 1969 z28 survivor 39k miles 1969 z28 rs survivor 80k miles

12-19-2003, 12:28 AM	#24
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	why was your tailgate covered in water? __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-19-2003, 12:31 AM	#25
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Probably because it was coming out of the exhaust which was ran straight out the back. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

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