Problem with water in engine oil

[David Rowlinson]

I am trying to get my '71 auto back on the road. It is currently with my local garage who have got the engine running and told me it is running very smoothly but are concerned that there is water in the sump. I would appreciate it if anyone who has experienced a similar problem could shed some light on the cause of this. The car has only covered just over 30,000 miles.

[wilf]

Head gasket or water pump seals.

Does it steam a lot when running? If so, could be inlet manifold gasket leaking into intake ports. Water could, I suppose, get past the rings and into the sump.

But if it hasn't run for a while, it might be worth a quick oil change and see if the problem persists.

[dasadrew]

If the car has been sporadically run, then left to stand outside on frosty nights, then briefly run again etc., the water may be condensation under the cam covers or so. Had a big fright with a slightöy more expensive "exotic" until I found out that they all had the same white slime if they haven't been taken out for spirited runs.

[022Dave]

Had a big fright with a slightöy more expensive "exotic" until I found out that they all had the same white slime if they haven't been taken out for spirited runs.

Honestly officer; it’s an engineering requirement…..

[Carl Arnold]

If your garage has found water in the sump of your '71 auto, it could be caused by a few different things. Here are a few possibilities:

1. Condensation: If the car has been sitting for a long time without being used, it's possible that condensation has built up in the engine and mixed with the oil. This can happen if the car is stored in a damp environment or if the weather has been humid.
2. Blown head gasket: A blown head gasket can cause coolant to leak into the engine oil, which would result in water in the sump. This is a more serious problem and will require more extensive repairs.
3. Cracked engine block: If the engine block is cracked, coolant can leak into the engine oil and mix with it. This is also a more serious problem that will require more extensive repairs.

Your garage should be able to diagnose the exact cause of the water in the sump and provide recommendations for how to address it. It's possible that they may need to do further testing to determine the cause. In any case, it's important to get this issue addressed as soon as possible, as running the engine with water in the oil can cause further damage.

[MandM]

or transfer housings?

[dasadrew]

I am trying to get my '71 auto back on the road. It is currently with my local garage who have got the engine running and told me it is running very smoothly but are concerned that there is water in the sump. I would appreciate it if anyone who has experienced a similar problem could shed some light on the cause of this. The car has only covered just over 30,000 miles.

From your brief description, it's a car which has only run 500 miles per year or has been sat around in a shed or whatever for many years. Before taking heads off and pistons out to see if the water jacket is cracked I'd probably simply change the oil and see if the water returns. However, do the running "gently" in case it is something major as bearings have a preference for oil over water when they're turning.