Thread: water and oil don't mix

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I just drained the oil of my jeep with a 283 in it. I acquired it from my sisiter recently and it has been sitting for many many years. When I opened the drin plug water came out first and then the nasty oil. I also took off the filter..man it was nasty. My question is besides putting new oil in, should I do anything else? does that mean a cracked block? or could it just be cndensation? I am adding 4 quarts of oil only..in anticipation of an oil additive? should I add one? thanks..Paul

First of all, if you plan to use a good quality, known brand of motor oil, there are all the additives you need already in it. Besides, if you have a coolant leak, motor oil isn't the solution.

You wonder if it's a coolant leak. Did the cooling system not have antifreeze in it? If it only contained water, then you may be correct about a coolant leak. If it did contain antifreeze, then the clear water was evidence of condensation. A second contributor to this conclusion is based on understanding the chemistry of motor oil. Assuming it had a good quality oil in it originally, the detergent dispersants would have kept the water in suspension thus rendering the entirety of the oil drained to a "milky" looking mess had the engine been operating with a leak.

The new oil you are putting in will act as a "flush" to some degree, as the new detergent/dispersants will "pick up" any clinging moisture, and you're right to expect to have to dump it shortly...................if the engine works at all. If you had that much condensation, there's a good chance that the engine is rusted inside and may not turn over at all. Or it may turn over, but "grind" itself into a near death experience. If you want to save yourself some grief and expense, it may be worthwhile to do some tear down and inspection to see if it is all corroded inside.

there was some antifreeze in the radiator, by the color of the water. I did turn the engine over but without the distributor hooked up to make sure it would turn over. I looked at advance auto..at the oil additives, but none read anything about water..such as gas treatment does. I will attempt to change the oil, filter, plugs, rotor, cap, points, plug wires and flush the gas tank..see if it starts up. I will keep all posted.

I say put some fresh oil in it and fire it up. You said it sat for many years so it may have gotten water that way, or it may have leaked past the head gasket while it was sitting. As long as this happened while the motor wasn't running, it may not have done much damage. Just change the oil and filter every few hundred miles a few times to get most of the rust, water, and dirt out.

I think that sounds like a good idea..I will try that..let you know how it goes,,

Also, a capfull of oil down the sparkplug holes doesnt hurt anything either. And, if possible, prime that oil pump when you put the new stuff in! It will save you a lot of headaches.