H, water in oil

I did a rebuild on our H about a year ago and
it seemed to be running well. I had it out
today, but it sounded a little different, and
there was a hint of a funny smell. I figured it
was time for an oil change anyway, but when I
drained the oil it was the horrible mix.

Is there anything on an H that could leak
coolant into the oil besides the head gasket,
and I suppose a cracked head/block somewhere?
I'm thinking of blindly replacing the head
gasket and see what happens. I'm trying not to
contemplate a cracked core part. If it was a
headgasket, would there be any visible
indication when I take it off?

When I did the rebuild, I re-torqued the head
after about 2 hours of use. The only odd thing
to me during the build was that two sleeves
were very loose on install. I coated them a bit
with the Loctite sleeve retainer, and all the
posts said the head gasket would hold them down
once torqued anyway, although there seemed to
be very little overlap of the gasket and
sleeve. Other than that, I don't know what I
could have done wrong.

Any advice that doesn't involve another
rebuild? Can I run clean oil through for a bit
and then change it and have it flushed? Should
I check bearings somehow? The rods would be
easy to get to, but I'd rather not deal with
the mains.

Thanks

The H has dry sleeves so as far as I am aware the sources for water in oil are as you said; head, block or gasket.
Zach

There is a possibility of leaking between the native block bore and the sleeve if the bore is cracked.
THe head gasket should have covered the top of the sleeve ring about 50% or more. If less, it could begin to allow the sleeve (especially a loose sleeve to move up and down eventually letting water into the CC from a failed head gasket. Cracks and bad core plugs are also suspect issues. Jim

First off how long has it sat with out being run. If a few months it could also be condensation. Have you noticed the coolant level going down??

No it usually doesn't sit for more than a couple weeks, or a month at the most. To me, the amount of milkiness looks like a lot more than what condensation would do. The coolant has gone down a little, although honestly not as much as what I would expect either. But we haven't used it any differently than we ever did, and we've never had oil like this.

I feel like the head gasket covered about 10% of the sleeve, although maybe I can get a pic when I take it off. It felt wrong, but I believe I checked it against the old gasket and it matched. I still have the old one so I can compare again officially.

Thanks

Did you have anti-freeze in it? If so you maybe headed toward another complete rebuild. I would pull one of the rod caps and check to see if you the bearing are okay. Typically if you get anti-freeze into the oil and onto the bearings, the bearings are toast. It will run okay for just putting around, but if you work it hard the bearings will just kind of go away. I did a rebuild on a H that had the same problem with loose sleeves. I put Loctite sleeve retainer on them. It's been four years and no problems so I don't think that is part of your problem. I would pull the pan, fill the cooling system with water and see if you find where the water is coming from. I had another H with a cracked head, and that is how I found it. There was "rust trail" down one cylinder. Good luck.

There is a soft plug in the front of the block. Did you replace it when you rebuilt the engine? If not, I would look there first.

teddy52food most likely has your answer,drop the pan put at little pressure on the radiator you should be able to see it leaking,as for the bearings I would check them to be assured their ok, but most likely they are unless you have run it under heavy load for a period time with a heavy mix of antifreeze

I just went through this with my M. The way I checked to see which cylinder was getting coolant it was to let itsit overnight. Pull the plugs the next day and crank it over. It's easier to have someone watch which cylinder the coolant came out of.

Bob

I always like to run a cylinder leakage test. I really dislike pulling a head and then not seeing a problem. If I don't find a leak that way, I pressurize the radiator or just pull pan without pressurizing and let it stand for a while and check underneath for leaks. I will say this. You feel the head gasket did not contact much of the sleeve and what I have seen over the years is some have used a Super H head gasket on an H and that even allowed the sleeve to work it's way past the gasket and move up and down. Another thing. Many aftermarket sleeves have a flange that is too thick and protrude over the block too much. Book say up to .006 is ok. To me that is pushing it too much and I have seen .008. That did not work out well for the guy. I never get too excited about a loose fitting sleeve but I do measure bores and select the best fit for that hole. Some guys run a hone to clean the block and that is a no no. I have found a wire brush on a drill does a real good job and does not remove any metal. You can try first like one suggested, take plug out and let stand for some time and see if any coolant comes out of plug hole.

When you take the pan off, check the rod bearings to see if they are black. If they are black they should have new ones put in, also mains. Antifreeze with turn them black.

How can condensation get into that engine when there are no openings.

The crank case has a vent so that is how. ALL engines have some sort of crank case vent.
Sure wish you would get of my back you been jumping me almost every day and 3 times today

I pulled the head and don't see a problem. Well, possibly one problem. It looks like I somehow put the gasket on upside down, assuming "This side out" should be up. Honestly I don't see a difference, but I assume it says that for a reason. So I'm hoping that's all it is. Does that sound likely?

Checked a bearing and it looks good. Pheeew.

No obvious damage to the head gasket, but I'm not sure what to expect to see. Doesn't look like the sleeve was moving. Turned the engine without the head and the sleeve isn't riding up, so I think it's OK.

Pressurizing the radiator seems like a good idea, but I'm not sure what tools I need to do that. But, would that tell me the issue? It seems like I might see a leak down a cylinder or something, but how would I know where it really came from? Couldn't it still be head or gasket or block?

Thanks

Hmmm, I had the block done up for me. They replaced plugs and cam bearings. I don't remember a front plug though. Would that leak externally, or into the oil?

Have you got the issue fix yet?