Baffled?

[Papaws]

I replaced the intake gasket.Water in the oil.Got the van running.Ran for about 45 min.While bleeding the air out of the water. Saw a big decrease in the water in the oil .Does this make sense or did What.Thanks Ken N.

[roadrunner2]

Originally Posted by Papaws

I replaced the intake gasket.Water in the oil.Got the van running.Ran for about 45 min.While bleeding the air out of the water. Saw a big decrease in the water in the oil .Does this make sense or did What.Thanks Ken N.

Not sure I understand your post.

You replaced the LIM gaskets when you found water (coolant?) in the oil.

You started and ran the engine for 45 minutes while bleeding the air out of the cooling system.

There shouldn't be ANY water (coolant) in the engine oil if you cleaned all the old coolant out before putting the engine back together.

Did you replace the coolant with a 50/50 coolant mix?

GM Dexcool coolant or the standard green coolant? You cannot mix the two.

[Papaws]

Ok,I changed the oil and filter.Left the plug out of the pan for two days.I didn't do anything to get the water out of the engine.When the engine was running I checked the oil it was a little milky.When I was done running the engine and let it sit and checked the oil I could only fell the oil on the stick ,no milyness.I thought it would take longer to notice no water in the oil.How do you know what coolant is in there ,I used regular coolant.Thanks Ken N.

[discnik]

If you left the drain plug out that long you should have gotten the larger percentage of the contamination out of the oil pan area. Did wipe out around the valves and lifters ? I would change the oil again if the oil starts looking milky though.

[roadrunner2]

Originally Posted by Papaws

Ok,I changed the oil and filter.Left the plug out of the pan for two days.I didn't do anything to get the water out of the engine.When the engine was running I checked the oil it was a little milky.When I was done running the engine and let it sit and checked the oil I could only fell the oil on the stick ,no milyness.I thought it would take longer to notice no water in the oil.How do you know what coolant is in there ,I used regular coolant.Thanks Ken N.

Ken, change the oil and filter again like Discnik suggested as you must get all the water out of the oil.

You'll know what coolant (NOT WATER) is in the system by the color.

If the coolant is orange it's GM Dexcool.

If it's green or 'greenish' it's the old standard coolant.

If you feel confident you flushed all the old coolant out before you replaced it with new coolant, then there is no worry.

Even if the block still held plain water, it would mix with the new coolant. Doing so may dilute the coolant's capability but likely not enough to worry about.

You can test the coolant with a hydrometer.

[Papaws]

I was going to drive the van 20-50 miles (in town for a few days) and change the oil.The coolant that was in the van was green and that what I added.I didn't flush the coolant out added a gallon full strength and about a quart of water.Wanted to add more water but no room to much antifreez.Will add water as need but not to freez the over flow tank.Is a hydrometer the thing that floates the ball to to test how cold the antifreez will go?IF so I got two or there.Thanks so much for your help Ken N.

[roadrunner2]

Originally Posted by Papaws

I was going to drive the van 20-50 miles (in town for a few days) and change the oil.The coolant that was in the van was green and that what I added.I didn't flush the coolant out added a gallon full strength and about a quart of water.Wanted to add more water but no room to much antifreez.Will add water as need but not to freez the over flow tank.Is a hydrometer the thing that floates the ball to to test how cold the antifreez will go?IF so I got two or there.Thanks so much for your help Ken N.

Yep, it shows the density of the fluid. which is the limit of the coolant's capacity. Ideally, it should show -35 to -40F.
No less than a 50/50 mix Ken. If you live where the temp is REALLY cold, you can get away with a 70/30 mix, (70% antifreeze and 30% distilled water),

Don't overfill the coolant reservoir as it needs room for coolant expansion when the coolant is at the engine operating temp.

Only fill it up to the FULL COLD mark. When hot, the level should be no more than 1" to 1-1/2" above the cold mark.

Best time to check the level is in the AM before the engine is started.

[roadrunner2]

To add to my post: seeing as you said you DID NOT remove all the previous coolant it may be prudent to keep and eye on the oil for awhile.

If you spot ANY sign of moisture (aside from normal moisture that is) in the oil, change it and the oil filter again, plus drain the coolant and this time, mix the coolant and water a half and half mixture so you KNOW what is in the cooling system.

Did you wipe the coolant reservoir clean before you replaced the coolant?

It will need to be clean to detect any further oil deposits that may enter the cooling system if coolant starts to mix with the oil again.

You sure don't want to have to go through all this again.

[Papaws]

I seen no oil in the water and Yes I know the reserivir should be filled to the cold mark.Thanks Ken N.