Great new oil/coolant problem today!!

[Wags391]

In this old post (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul....php?t=676226), a "catch can" was mentioned. I took this advice and installed one in between the PCV valve and intake manifold. Today I found a nice mixture of a bit of oil and water. Would this be a intake manifold gasket problem or head gasket problem? I don't have any smoke or any other noticeable symptoms. I put on a different intake manifold some months ago. I'm thinking about getting my stock intake refinished. Is that worth it? And what do you think is the cause of my water/oil mix? And how quickly do you think I should remedy this problem?

[ericn1300]

some water in the oil is normal in high humidty areas, if you drive long drives and get the oil good and hot it will dry out by sending the water vapors thru the pcv valve. If mostly drive short hauls and city driving the oil never gets hot for long enough to remove the water and you need to change your oil more often.

[Wags391]

Originally Posted by ericn1300

some water in the oil is normal in high humidty areas, if you drive long drives and get the oil good and hot it will dry out by sending the water vapors thru the pcv valve. If mostly drive short hauls and city driving the oil never gets hot for long enough to remove the water and you need to change your oil more often.

I live in Texas. No humidity here. I just changed the oil a couple of weeks ago. Same way I do it every time. This has never happened. Nothing even remotely like this. So something has to be leaking.

[herkyhawki]

How much of this oil/water are you getting , and in how many miles. It is VERY Likely that what you are seeing is NORMAL for a high mileage engine.

If you are getting water in your OIL, you will see it in the OIL. Is the oil foamy?
The PVC catch can is OK if you understand what you're looking at, but it really is not necessary. It does very little, if any real good. The Funtion of the PCV system id to pull blowby gasses out of the crankcase, these gases contain water vapor, fuel vapor and oil mist. The PCV system routes this gas back into the intake to re-burn it to clean up the emissions and to keep these fumes from fouling the oil.

[ZL1power69]

during the colder months i've noticed the material trapped by the catch can is more of a milky brown, probably do to exsesive condensation. i live in the north east and drive short trips so its noticible. take your catch can and dump it out onto a paper plate and look at the contents. you should be able to see coolant if you have a leak. a simple pressure test will also verify any leaks.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by Wags391

I live in Texas. No humidity here. I just changed the oil a couple of weeks ago. Same way I do it every time. This has never happened. Nothing even remotely like this. So something has to be leaking.

The humidity in Wichita Falls was 48% today. I have to agree with herkyhawki, if your not getting foaming on the dipstick or the filler cap then

Originally Posted by herkyhawki

It is VERY Likely that what you are seeing is NORMAL for a high mileage engine.

[Wags391]

You say it's normal, but it has never happened before. My catch can has had maybe a 1/4 inch level of oil in it at most. This last time it was over half full of this, yes it's foamy, mixture. This hasn't occurred once before this last oil change, not in the slightest. And now it comes on like this. Any thing I can catch just to be sure?

[Wags391]

Here is the update on my problem. Over the past week I've notice coolant loss from the reservoir tank. The catch-can again is 1/3 full of a foamy mixture of oil and coolant. Accelerating the engine creates some white smoke, but I don't know if its due to the cold weather or a failing head gasket. Also, there has been a puddle right underneath the middle front of the engine. I suppose it could be coming from the water pump area, but I cannot tell. I haven't done a close check. I'm waiting for the cold front to go away. Will a cooling system pressure test show a failing head gasket? What other tests or checks can I do to determine my problem? Where are some of the places a coolant leak would occur at the front of the engine?

[muzzy1maniac]

To truely find out what is in your oil you could have a sample tested at Blackstone http://www.blackstone-labs.com/gas_engines.html. I think it only runs something like $25

[Wags391]

Originally Posted by muzzy1maniac

To truely find out what is in your oil you could have a sample tested at Blackstone http://www.blackstone-labs.com/gas_engines.html. I think it only runs something like $25

Don't you think that would be $25 wasted? I can look at my catch can and see water. I'm pretty sure it can't be anything else. For coolant to be coming up through the valve covers, does it have to be a intake manifold or head leak, or either/both? I think I'll start with a pressure test to find any external leaks.

[Sinful7]

Originally Posted by Wags391

yes it's foamy, mixture.

Every time I've seen a foamy mixture (which is light brown to tan in color), it has been a blown head gasket. Your description of excessive blow by also contributes to the idea that the head gasket has failed. What does the oil on the dipstick look like? Also foamy and/or discolored? How about the coolant? Also foamy, or just disappearing?

[jwalker1970]

I have a 1998 Blazer in the shop right now with similar problem.

1. I have coolant in the oil. VERIFIED COOLANT.

2. Coolant system is low.

3. Engine DOES NOT miss when cold, (sign of blown head gasket ...coolant to compression).

4. Vehicle does not blow white "coolant smoke" when warm at higher RPM's.

5. Coolant is also leaking down the back of the head.

QUESTION:

Does the 4.3L Vortec have any history of intake manifold coolant leaks that would cause coolant to leak into the oil?

Do you think my problem is head gasket or intake?

Knowing of a diagnosed intake leak problem might make me skip also doing the headgaskets.

Thanks!!

[jwalker1970]

Great News! found broken intake gaskets!

I posted full details: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=767605

[old_master]

Head gasket failure is extremely rare on the 4.3L however, intake leaks are very common. And they will continue to leak if you use the OEM gasket. Intake gaskets can leak coolant into the oil, coolant into an intake port, which runs into the combustion chamber, and it can leak coolant externally. They can also leak vacuum both internally and externally, along with leaking oil externally. FelPro "Perma-Dry Plus" gasket set will fix the leaks. Don't waste your money OR time on anything else. Do it once and be done with it!

[Wags391]

Here's the update on my 92 S10: Coolant level very low. No coolant in the oil or transmission oil. Or vice versa. Pressure tested my cap; good. Pressure tested cooling system cold; good, no leaks visible. Pressure tested cooling system at running temperature; good, no leaks visible. I did notice a slight drip coming from the lower radiator hose. So, what else can I check? There is nothing pointing towards a blown head gasket. No smoke, no over heating, the pressure test was normal.

I've replaced the intake manifold gasket once, and then again when I replaced the manifold itself. But I don't see any leaks. What could it be?