WATER IN OIL !!!!!!

[marcus1970]

Hello all..

I've got a pink sludge on my dipstick top and brown gunk round my oil filler neck.

What are the possible causes and how much am I looking at for each.

All info much appreciated..

Cheers

MB

[TooTall Paul]

Tight brown easy pink

[Extra 300 Driver]

Has it been using water, or sitting for sometime? It could just be condensation, so check your breathers.

[RUSSELLM]

Most likely to be condensation.

Worst case scenario would be the head gasket/s I suppose. I think Power charged me about £2k to do mine

[jensena]

Marcus - Most garages will be able to do a check for a possible Head Gasket failure, they do a chemical analysis of the coolant water, cheap and quick - and when its finished you go straight to the pub and do either

a) Get drunk and celebrate
b: Get drunk to drown your sorrows

Good luck

[cerbfan]

I would not worry to much it its not using water, it happened to me when I first got my car and still does,it scared the shit out of me. I spoke to a couple of people and heard that it is quite common especially at this time of year when it is cold and the air is damp. Also if you are doing lots of short journeys and not getting the oil quite up to temp. When I say short journeys it does not even have to be short, I go near enough straight onto a fast country road and then a dual carriageway and my work is about a mile off the dueller. So even though it is a 22 mile trip the speeds are high from the off and there is loads of air getting through the oil cooler so the oil never gets up to temp even on this length of journey. Hence why I plan to fit an oil thermostat and oil temp gauge this winter to try and get the oil up to temp quicker.

[marcus1970]

Update......

I seem to be losing water, but not at a great rate.

My temp gauge seems normal and I've definitley not been overheating recently, if ever.

My oil is black and I've got far too much of it !!!

Any further info appreciated.

MB

[c3ber]

If your losing a little water, it could be a simple leak.

If you have too much oil, maybe a wrong measurement.

Add them together and your still having iffy oil then I would go for a head gasket.

[gazzab]

get it checked out by an expert!

[Work-Shy-Wanabe]

Change your oil and watch your temp qauge like a hawk.

[marcus1970]

Work-Shy-Wanabe said:

Change your oil and watch your temp qauge like a hawk.

My thoughts excatly...

Just forked out 45 quid on 5 litres of Mobil's best synthetic and some flushing agent to put in the current oil.

Bought 8 litres of finest Tesco Spring Water and 4 litres of coolant so gonna drain the water system and fill up again.

One point, where's the lowest point in the water system to drain from?

Cheers

MB

[marcus1970]

Water drainage point anyone???

MB

[TooTall Paul]

Bottom hose on radiator or front of engine at the bottom.

[headcase]

RUSSELLM said:

Most likely to be condensation.

Worst case scenario would be the head gasket/s I suppose. I think Power charged me about £2k to do mine

Just for a head gasket?? or other work to.

Edited by headcase on Thursday 15th February 14:44

[RUSSELLM]

They charged me £96 to skim the heads (expensive), £576 to remove & refit engine, £576 to strip & rebuild, £29 oil, £21 antifreeze, £72 each for the gaskets. That lot comes to £1700 with the vat.

While it was out, they rebuilt the oil pump, replaced a few seals, put in a new rad, throttle cable etc, new timing chain, shims, crank needle roller, belts

Ended up costing £3000

[c3ber]

That's like the Hot Chocolate song 'It started with a kiss' and ends up with a house and two kids. In your case 'It started with a leak' and ends up with half a new engine.

[marcus1970]

RUSSELLM said:

They charged me £96 to skim the heads (expensive), £576 to remove & refit engine, £576 to strip & rebuild, £29 oil, £21 antifreeze, £72 each for the gaskets. That lot comes to £1700 with the vat.

While it was out, they rebuilt the oil pump, replaced a few seals, put in a new rad, throttle cable etc, new timing chain, shims, crank needle roller, belts

Ended up costing £3000

Anyone we know - are they still in business?

MB

[RUSSELLM]

Power, when they was owned by TVR.

May be a bit different now Dom's on his own.

[marcus1970]

Update...

Checked oil - black but plenty (too much).

Topped up coolant.

Ran engine up to normal running temp (keepimg an eye on Oil Pressure and Temp Guage).

Everything fine. Cleaned gunk from bottom of oil filler cap and pink stuff from top of dipstick.

Put in some flushing agent and ran engine for 15 - 20 mins at fast idle (2000rpm).

Everything fine and fans cut in at correct temperatures.

Drained oil overnight and filled back up with 0W 40 (5.5 litres).

Took out for a long drive and powered right up through the rev range once fully warmed up. No problems - good oil pressure and temp remained around 90 except when in heavy traffic when it popped up to 100 - but no problems whatsoever.

Going down the pub tonight to celebrate and tell everyone about condensation (I think)...

Cheers all...

MB