As you may or may not know, I recently replaced ALL of the gaskets on my 2000 2.5L 4-bangity-banger after noticing a milky substance on my dipstick. I got a professional opinion and decided I had blown a head-gasket, and was excited to do the work myself.

However, today I am angry to find my truck knocking again and showing signs of coolant in the oil once again. I am positive this isn't caused by a gasket failure. As a temporary fix, I had my wife pick up a half-case of oil to flush through the truck until more serious repairs can occur. This will temporarily eliminate the coolant (i.e. lack of lubrication).

What, other than a cracked head, could be the cause of coolant making it's way into the engine and residing in the oil? Before I replace the head, I want to make sure I rule out EVERY other possible cause of this knocking and foul-smelling oil.

Is it possible:

My BLOCK is cracked?
I have a bad seal other than:

• intake manifold gasket(upper and lower)
• Valve cover gasket
• Head gasket

Or Anything else you can think of?

Thank you all for your valuable input. I will be changing my oil in the upcoming minutes, and plan to replace the head before the weekend if I decide that is what the problem is!

 

Nope. I went as far as inspecting it with a light, cleaning it, then replacing the valve seals before slapping it back on.

I figured if it was cracked, I would end up replacing it anyway. So I put it all back together and did my own "pressure test" by monitoring the oil condition for a few weeks. It lasted 3 weeks before I noticed any signs of coolant in the oil again. I'm going to do the same after I flush the oil and replace it with new oil. If coolant appears again, or I hear any knocking, I will park it until I can replace the head.

 

you have another blown head gasket.....you HAVE to get a small bit machined off the head so it will seat on the block.....

 

You've got to be FRICKIN kidding me!!!

I was just about to treat my garage floor with one of those garage kits, since I made so many oopsies during the last job!
I do not want to be facing another one of these messes!!!


Do I need to have ONLY the head resurfaced, or both the head and block mating surfaces?

 

tooooo bad you are going to have too.....

 

just the head.

 

do a compression test...

 

Good thinking! Can't a compression tester (gauge?) be had for less than $30 at an auto parts store? What would it tell me if I got a "bad" reading?

 

Being excited about doing the work yourself, having the guts to do (so many won't) and taking time for it -- all very commendable.

Not doing your homework and finding out what "best practice" is so you could do it right -- not good.

Maybe you should smoke less of that pot and spend more time reading up on things, lol...

 

Ha ha!!! Most of the time when I'm on R-F, is after a bowl when I'm ready to dive deep into some intellectual communication! Actually, it helps my concentration and IBS symptoms....it never distracts me from anything important, like my school work or a How-To on the forums!!!

I didn't do my "homework" because I did this job right after Christmas time. I was anxious to get the truck running, and I needed it to get to and from my classes! Oh well...another lesson learned! At least I know exactly how to take my engine completely apart, and I shouldn't run into any unexpected problems!

 

screw weed, pop an adderall and then go on rf you'll be reading for hours and then have time to do work on your truck than back on rf in again.

 

Weed makes your ***** smaller, beer gets you laid

 

Needforspeed, this is Murphy, Murphy this is Needfor speed.




Good luck.

 

I smoked (and other things) for 22 years -- and you're fooling yourself. But you'll have to learn that for yourself. Especially while you're still depending on it, and telling yourself you need it, you won't be able to see it.

No offense meant, by the way, and I like you fine as a member here -- I just noticed your signature and had to comment, lol.

 

I beg to differ, and so does my wife!!!

Ah yes....the legal form of crack! I hate that stuff now! My wife used to have a prescription for the 30mg time release caplets. Take those apart, crush the ***** inside, and swallow the powder. THEN you'll be up for 24 hours or more!

 

Im with these guys, the gasket has probably blown out again. Taket eh head to a machine shop and have them check it over, mill the gasket surface, and pressure test it. Also when you put it back on be sure to tighten the bolts in order, (start int eh middle and work your way out) to the CORRECT torque spec, with a torque wrench. Then when you get done check them all again to be sure. Have fun. :

 

Good point. I did follow the correct torque sequence and torque the bolts down to proper lb/ft. using a BRAND NEW micrometer torque wrench.

 

Thanks for your kind opinion. I take no offense by it! However, I must disagree with your opinion I am psychologically (or physically) dependent on ANY substance. I just recently stopped smoking for 5 weeks. I had no side effects other than weight loss and total loss of appetite. After speaking with my doctor about Irritable Bowel Symptoms, it's either prescription medication that I have to take EVERY day, or a quick toke once in a while to gain an appetite and calm my colon. Which would you prefer?

Attention Mods: If this subject has already gotten out of hand, I totally understand. Please delete or move it at your discretion!

 

your almost 22 years old and you already have to take weed pills and stuff???


sounds fishy

 

No, sorry, still not convinced. People who really need it don't have to brag about it in their signatures. I'm sorry about your IBS -- I have my own chronic conditions and my wife for instance has MS.

Still, it doesn't justify what you're doing, or making some kind of "glamorous" point about it in clever signatures.

Like most folks who are addicted at some level, you've just said, "I can take it or leave it, why I stopped using for 5 weeks once." I don't know if you know how pathetic such utterances seem to those of us who've been around the block on this.

Like I said: you've talked yourself into it, and whether you need it or not medically, you've glorified it and justified it and fooled yourself into thinking what you do.

Nobody easily admits that a substance has them. Add to that the fact that your brain is altered by ths substance, and you become even less able to see the truth.

I'll pray for you. But I'll drop it now because it's truly wasting everybodies time since you won't see it.

I do hope you see you inconsistence on the issue thoush, and at least stop bragging about it.

 

I know all of this already I am on the 30mg XR's right now you dont need to crush them to be up that long...

 

Remember to always turn it back to 0 after use.

 

Yes. I am confused, anxious, and arrogant. As a result of a wake-up call from our fellow authority, I have temporarily changed my signature until I can come up with a new one.