Water in Oil - Any Ideas

[avengergt59]

Just bought a Stag with an apparently good engine but it has been unused for a number of years. I topped up the water, but unfortunately didn't check the oil, and the car started quite easily and ran well. After about ten mins running, I stopped the engine and checked the oil, only to find it overfull with a milky white/grey substance, which I assume is oil and water mixed. Can the water pump seals allow this amount of water through to the sump in such a short space of time?

[V Mad]

I think it is unlikely since that is a double seal break, plus there is an open vent between the two seals to allow oil or water to escape onto the vee (that is your tell-tale for a failed seal).

Is it possible that the oil has been previously contaminated by water or is it fresh oil?

[Westfaling]

Hi
After along period of disuse there would likely be a lot of condensation inside the engine which could be the moisture you're seeing. I'd flush the oil right away. Fresh oil and filter then keep an eye on the coolant level.
Nick

[new to this]

i would say the heads would have to come off

dave

[4x4]

i would say the heads would have to come off

dave

The Henry the Eighth approach - off with her head!

[new to this]

The Henry the Eighth approach - off with her head!

[avengergt59]

Thanks. I'll check the V for any leaks but from what you say the pump is unlikely to be the main cause. I wish now I'd dipped the oil before trying to start her to see if it was contaminated beforehand.

[flying farmer]

The other possibility is leaky inlet manifold gaskets if they are not the Payen type. Water can go straight down the inlet port and leak past the rings.

If the engine had been stood without running for years then they usualy rust solid (I have bought two Stag engines with this problem), but if they have been run occaisionally they might not have got quite that bad. The fact you had to top up the water suggests that the sump may be where it had gone.

I would try fresh oil and a bottle of Kseal in the coolant for starters and see if the problem reoccurs.

Neil

[avengergt59]

Thanks. Never thought of the manifolds. Do you know who stocks Kseal?

[DJT]

Thanks. Never thought of the manifolds. Do you know who stocks Kseal?

Try your local A1 Motorstore. Mine stocks it.

[milothedog]

Don't forget the transfer housings at the back of the heads.

Ian

[BartonStag]

Err - sorry to appear thick folks but what is this K-seal?

Gord

[milothedog]

Err - sorry to appear thick folks but what is this K-seal?

Gord

http://www.kseal.com/uk/

Ian

[Staggard]

IMG_0128.JPG

[jleyton]

Err - sorry to appear thick folks but what is this K-seal?

Gord

Not thick at all Gord. I'd never heard of it until it was recommended on here.

I used it and it fixed a leak I had into the Vee. Only subsequent problem was that when I went to do the job properly it took absolutely ages to flush (nearly) all of the K seal out of my cooling system.

Cheers

Julian