Re: water in crankcase... stupid question...

["Gary Walker" <NashFlash@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom,
 Frank is right about what he said about turning an engine over with the 
starter if there is liquid of any kind in the cylinders.   Always pull the 
plugs first and turn it over with the ignition DISABLED such that it will 
make no spark.  The last thing we need now is a fire if you have spark plug 
wires hanging and a gas leak has occurred.  My recommendations were as 
stated after the head had been removed and the problem found.  At this time 
any liquid should be removed from the cylinders and head bolt holes in the 
block.  Use syringes and long cotton swabs.  It is a good idea however to 
remove the spark plugs any time major work is done and spinning the engine 
over more than two revolutions with the ignition disabled before trying to 
initiate combustion.
        Your AMC friend,
             Gary Walker      Owner of some old stuff,
               including The  "Mission Impossible"  68  S/Pro AMX
                and  The    Grant Rebel SST Funny Car

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Walker" <NashFlash@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "AMCList" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 9:20 PM
Subject: Re: water in crankcase... stupid question...


> Tom,
>   There is no need to put alcohol in the oil.   If the problem can be 
> eliminated by only pulling the head off, then drain the oil and water out 
> of the crankcase and refill with fresh oil.  The water residue will cloud 
> the oil for a short while but will evaporate with the heat of a warmed up 
> engine.   If you want to be even more careful, drain the new oil after 
> only a minute of running and renew it again.  You may be able to let the 
> milky looking oil set until the water sinks, then separate it from the 
> clean oil. Filter it through cloth to remove any other contaminants and 
> reuse it.  The water will be gone before you know it.  I have done this 
> many times.  I have worn out the t shirt.   I hope this helps.
>             Your AMC friend,
>              Gary Walker      Owner of some old stuff,
>                including The  "Mission Impossible"  68  S/Pro AMX
>                 and The    Grant Rebel SST Funny Car
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Jennings" <tomj@xxxxxxx>
> To: "AMC List" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 7:56 PM
> Subject: water in crankcase... stupid question...
>
>
> > Before I pull the block out...
> >
> > It seems likely that the headgasket is on backwards -- or missing
> > -- or some other stupid problem. I'll pull the head, on the car,
> > to check. Easy enough and makes engine pulling easier anyways.
> >
> > QUESTION: If I find the problem [say backwards head gasket] is
> > there any chance of drying this thing out without tearing the
> > whole thing down?
> >
> > It got water in the crankcase, definitely. Quarts. But it never
> > RAN; there's no serious mixing and it never rose above room
> > temperature. The crankcase was clean when I installed the oilpan;
> > it had not been previously run with this problem [which really
> > makes me think someone removed/restored the head and did a crappy
> > job], there would have been evidence.
> >
> > More, I brought up oil pressure days ago, multiple times, with no
> > water in it; I added water only this morning at the last minute
> > before cranking. However, I have to assume it pumped water through
> > the galleries.
> >
> > Maybe run something hydrophillic through it, like alcohol and oil?
> >
> > This seems desparate as I write it :-)