Archived Help Oil In Coolant

[turbo torque]

I'm 150 miles from home and I have about a gallon of oil missing and radiater is full of oil. Did I blow a head gasket?



Do I dare top off with oil and nurse it home?

 

[csutton7]

most likely a blown headgasket---you could get some oil and coolant and try and nurse it back home--baby the snot out of it(keep boost low) and pull over once in awhile to check oil level and see if you can make it---good luck--chris

 

[K5IP]

Do you have an automatic?

Transmission cooler?

Rog

 

[csutton7]

well I thought the same may be the prob, but since he said his oil level was down about a gallon I think it's a head gasket---chris

 

[turbo torque]

Thanks much Chris, My overflow bottle is full of oil also, there' no coolant in oil though.

I figured it was probably a head gasket. If I drain cooling system and fill with water and top off oil in engine and drive nice you think 150 miles would be ok?



I'm running the new smarty and a tapped comp, I could turn both way down.



Thanks for any help, Bill.

 

[csutton7]

well you'll only know when you make your first stop to check--I would try it by driving like 15 minutes and pull over and check--if all looks good drive for 30 minutes and check--I wouldn't go over 30 minutes without checking--one thing to watch is your water temp--if you've blown the gasket due to boost the water temp will rise like your speedometer--so keep an eye on it --turn everything off that you can---your best bet is to check often--so as not to incur some real damage--I'd definitely drain some coolant from the system---chris

 

[turbo torque]

Thank's Guys, No its a 5 speed , definatly motor oil. Will I be pushing it to limp home 150 mi. Thank god I'm empty now.



I know I've been pushing the limit as I think my waste gate is stuck. I can peg my boost gauge fast. My own dumb fault.



Just want other opinions as to limping home or is it too big a risk. Don't want any greater problems. Thanks again, Bill.

 

[csutton7]

hard to answer on the risk, but if it's boost problem and if you can baby it you may be able to make it as long as it's not affecting the engine in low boost situations--just watch your water temp as the boost goes up --if things look bad after 15 minutes--turn around and get back to where you are now, as it seems that at least you'rs somewhere where you can communicate--chris

 

[turbo torque]

What would my best option for the right fix be, however I get this mess home? I'm at friends place now. Going to turn comp off, Return SMARTY to stock, then limp home tomorrow.



Should I drain and flush cooling system and, fill with water before I leave?

Or am I making a mistake by driving it? Again, Thanks, Bill

 

[csutton7]

wouldn't waste the time trying to flush it now, but draining it may be wise--I think you'll know within the first 15 minutes whether or not you can make it--chris

 

[Alan Reagan]

Wasn't there an article in the TDR one or two issues back about where the filter head bolts into the block? That's an oil cooler and sometimes they spring a leak right into the coolant. That might be your problem instead of a head gasket.

 

[JoshPeters]

Alan has a valid point. Regardless, nursing it home can probably be done.



Take it easy, and keep us posted.



Josh

 

[turbo torque]

Well Guys, nine hours later I finally made it home After fifty miles Iwas at 190*,pulled off and let it cool, got about 3 qt oil out of radiater, added water and topped of oil.

This happened 5 more times with milage inbetween becoming less. 40mi 25mi,20, 15, 5, and finally only 2 miles till I was hot and full of oil again. Used 3 gal of oil.

At that point I was 40 mi from home and gave up. Got home with it hanging from a ford. . I have'nt even looked at it today yet, makes me sick,at least I'm home with truck. I never went over 45 and boost only hit 5 once or twice. Going to look in back issues about the oil cooler right now. I'll keep you posted, but... probably will be asking for advice with head gasket. Thanks again, Bill.

 

[csutton7]

well at least your home---keep us posted----chris

 

[JoshPeters]

Well I'm glad to hear you made it home.



If you want any advise on doing a headgasket, let me know..... I've done a few! :-laf



Josh

 

[turbo torque]

Thanks Josh,

Tomorrow I will pull oil cooler assembly and check (hope).



I do know I hit 50 lb or better of boost at 5 second stabs, Think my waste gate is stuck on hx 35. Was planning on 14 cm housing for now.



Maybe head gasket and studs too, should know tomorrow.



Bill

 

[JoshPeters]

I'd definatly check that oil cooler.



I hope for your sake that's what it is. If it's a headgasket... . PLEASE get the head planed. Trust me, it's warped. No I know it measures out flat..... It's warped.



Josh

 

[turbo torque]

Got the oil cooler out but, I can't see how you can pressurize it. There's no threads in it. It seals by being sandwiched between block and filter housing.



There has been gray matter drooling out of the block for hours. looks sick!



This cooler looks pretty bullet proof,its all brass fins that are soldered.



Any ideas on pressurizing oil cooler would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill

 

[Alan Reagan]

I don't know how you can pressurize it. I can tell you on getting the oil/water out of the engine what the shrimp boat guys do after they sink their boats. They change the oil, crank it up and let it circulate and then shut it down and drain it. Then they refill will fresh oil and go from there.



You are going to have to do a compression check to see if you have a head gasket problem. My suggestion was before seeing you had reached 50 lbs of boost.

 

[turbo torque]

I pluged one port with a plastic cap used to protect threads on fittings, hoses, etc

then used the end off a compression tester adapted to air set at 85# and as suspected, no leak.

Ordered ARP studs,14 cm turbo housing, thats all the budget will hold right now, from Rip @ Source Automotive. Have oil cooler gaskets comming from dealer.

Hope to be going in a week or so. What is the best way to clean all the sludge out of the cooling system?