NEED ADVISE: Coolant in oil

RED89GTAWSU

RED89GTAWSU

Forum Member
FML.....just had a fuel pump go out, and had to fix it in an unheated garage when it was in the teens outside. Now, I have an intake leak that is going in the motor. Didn't notice anything until this morning when my coolant was 3/4 gallon low. Filled it, went 15 miles to work and didn't loose heat till i got there. Put the last 1/4 in before leaving for home.....temp fluctuated between 190 and 220 in spirts all the way home. Got home, found oil in the coolant!!!!!! Immediately got the drain pan and drained it.

Diag so far.....
Put the coolant pressure tester on it, and can hear a hissing coming from back of motor. Unplugged coil and put pressure to the coolant system.....cranked motor over while watching coolant pressure. The pressure didn't budge.....so I'm pretty sure it's just an intake gasket. I'm halfway done taking the intake off....gonna wait till I have parts to put it back on.

I need advice on what my chances are of needing to rebuild the motor because water got in it. When I had it running I had perfect oil pressure, and never got any ticks or knocks. While I have the intake off I can do any flushing processes to flush water out.

Am I f'd?
 
The intake gaskets blow out on those all the time. Replace them with a fel-pro and you should be fine, I had to do the same on my 98 Cheyenne.
 
Intake gaskets for sure, they're know for taking a crap and being pushed out. Some crap to do with the coolant degrading them, pretty well know issue. Hopefully you didn't hurt the bottom end (bearings) by driving it with coolant in the oil.
 
That's my biggest question.......is there a flushing process I should do? should I take the oil pan off and wipe everything I can reach? I'll do the valve covers and lifter valley for sure.....just don't know if I should pull the pan too. Either way I'll be running it for a few minutes, changing oil and filter, running for a while, change oil and filter, and one last time after driving it a few miles.

Is this enough? or are my bearings screwed!?
 
Clean up what u can from the lifter valley when you pull the intake... Then take a quart of oil and pour it over the pushrods and lifters. Install intake gaskets. Change oil and filter. Warm truck up and bleed coolant system. Change oil again (with filter), and you should be good. Atleast that is how I would solve your issues.
 
I'm F'in pissed because this truck has a longblock in it that only has less than 10k on it.....the previous owner had some muffler shop install it. First I found both motor mount bolts loose, one nut had fell off somewhere on the road! I'm not sure which gasket they used yet.....but im betting they used a cheap one.
 
It ran as much as 40 miles on the highway with the mixture in it. Never heard any ticks or knocks, even after getting home and idling it. Also had good oil pressure the whole time.
 
Same here on my '99 Tahoe and my S10, except they were both external leaks. Use the good metal core gaskets like you've stated for sure. Not sure what to say on trying your luck. You are either going to have to put in some time checking it out, or hope for the best and run it. What's a little water in the oil right? :doh:
 
My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard....

:lol:

Sorry. I think of that song every time I see coolant mix with oil.
 
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