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Head gasket help

demesauce

Sr. Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2012
Messages
401
Loc.
Shaver Lake, CA
Went to replace my cam and noticed water in the oil. So, removed the heads and found water in the top of 4 pistons (3 on passenger side, 1 on drivers side). What are your thoughts? Old gaskets don’t look too bad
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
34,834
Water probably spilled in when you lifted the head off. Even if you drain the engine there is a little water hiding in the head waiting for you to shake it loose when you pull the heads.

The spark plugs would have told you a better story if there was a cylinder getting water in it. The plug would be extra clean compared to the others.

Coolant in the oil can be other things as well. simple stuff like intake manifold gaskets leaking into the valley.
 

B RON CO

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 29, 2016
Messages
2,412
Loc.
Statesville, NC
Hi, X2. If the water was in the crank case when the engine was running you would whip up a white froth.
If the coolant got into the crank case or combustion chambers you would have a loss of coolant and maybe overheat.
You need to always change the oil after the head gaskets are replaced. Good luck
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
34,834
Some water in the crankcase is common if the engine is run short distances and the oil doesn't get a chance to get fully warmed up. This is oil temperature, not water temp. Oil warms up a lot slower than water does, but it also runs hotter, if it is fully warmed up. Short drives and lots of idling the moisture in the blowby will condense in the crankcase.
 
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