The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What the heck?!?!

Yesterday I took the 53 out for a spin. Shes been apart for about 3 months gettin the rearend and tranny rebuilt and upgrading to the 3.55 gears. I havent put on more then about 30 miles on it since getting it back together last week. So Im about 8 miles from my house and my oil pressure drops to about 7ish. I worry when it drops 1-2 when it only gets to 15 drivin... Temp is at 170 so im not pulling my hair yet.

I nurse it into my grandmas property and pop the hood. Looks like steam or maybe a little smoke coming from the valve cover. I pop that off and the oil sitting in the top of the head looks like water. Im not feeling so good now. Check the oil, comes out extremely thin and very transluscent black. Check the radiator and its about 2-3" from the top where it usually is. After letting her cool down I reluctantly nurse her the 10 miles back home watching the gauges the whole way. Let her cool down and change the oil.

The oil is thinner then water and clear black. I let it drain through my fingers feeling for texture and smelling it. As soon as my oil bucket was filled I popped a glass jar into it to see if water would seperate in it. Dumped in another 1/2 gallon of antifreeze thinking if it had a crack in the water jacket it would make a little white smoke with more antifreeze in it. Wipe down the filter, wipe off the valves as thoroughly as I can and replace with new oil. At this point I remember when I changed the oil before my test drive last week I noticed 2 of the quarts didnt look right, off color and looked thinner and the quart containers were REALLY squishy almost rubbery feeling. Of course didnt think anything off it.

Took off down the road with a renewed 18 pounds of pressure for about a mile. Stopped at the gas station, spent all my money and took off around town with a now quite happy 14/15 pounds of pressure and 7/8 while idling. Feeling better! Last year my ford threw a rod hauling dirt and when I changed the oil in the 53 I used up the last few quarts behind the seat of that truck. Hmmm, me thinks it had something to do with the last oil change since I cycle the new oil behind the seat and use up the older stuff first.

So far the oil still looks brown and the radiators still full. No smoke either. A change of pants and Im set! The oil in the jar is thinner then vegetable oil and hasnt seperated at all. Anybody gotten bad oil before??? Its a first for me but very scary... Ill be feeling better when I have a few more rides around the block but for now Im feeling much better!

Does it smell like gas? A bad fuel pump possibly?

I agree. I think your fuel pump is pumping gas into it.

Nope. Oil smells like oil. I really do think it was bad or mismarked oil, Ive had gas in my oil before and but I havent seen anything like this. But Im open to more ideas!

Thanks, Jeff

I agree thin and black sounds like gas in the oil...

Since you didn't say so, I assume the oil in the jar did not split into oil and water, or oil and gas.

Have you tried pouring some of what you caught in that jar into another that is half full of water? Half full of gasoline?

Could some joker have filled oil containers with something and placed it where you might mistake it for new oil?

Could it have been ATF?

I've lost 3 chevy 350 engins in last 3 years. Used Penzoil 30 for years. I think it because of the lack of zddp. Filing a clame with them, will keep posted. As far as using Peenzoil, not again. Problems incured, droped valve, proable cause, worn valve guide, problem 2 lobe worn flat, 3 valve wore hole in rocker, resulting in droped valve. All lubricating problems.

What brand of oil was it?

Hey Beaver, as far as the Pennzoil goes, for years Pennzoil has been proven to cause engine sludge, it also doesnt protect very well against thermal breakdown. Through vehicle testing and development, I have found that Valvoline or any Ashland produced oil is the best as far as performance and durability of the oil itself is concerned. Surprisingly enough, Chevron oil has also produced some good results. Although I still like using Valvoline. I found out last weekend that Napa brand motor oil is generically packaged Valvoline, also the GM Goodwrench oil from the quick lube at the GM garage is Valvoline in Goodwrench bottles. Thats my 2 cents on motor oil.

It was chevron oil, never had a problem with it before. All unopened containers. I just find it odd that this is the same oil from the same case, that was running in my ford when it threw a rod last year.

It wasnt older then a year or so. Im gonna be watching it real close now to make sure it doesnt happen again. I also try not to leave oil containers opened in the garage for fear I will mistake them for something else. All opened containers go into the chainsaw for chain lube.

Im gonna keep an eye on the texture and smell real close over the next few weeks and make sure I dont have something else at fault that seemingly works. Thanks for the replies.

Jeff

Speaking of Napa brand oil, I have been using it in my rebuilt 235 until I tighten up all of the oil leaks and I have had no lubrication problems with it. Once I get everything tightened up I will start putting Amsoil in it.

The oil sold by Advance Auto Parts under their brand name is Havoline (Brother-in-law is a District Manager). I have used the store brand for a few years now without any problems. It stays pretty clean between oil changes and doesn't seem to slude up like Pennsoil or Quaker State.

Oil with water in it looks like coffee with too much cream, not thin oil.