oil mixed with water and on ground after head gasket repair

[djohnk]

Well I am a little bummed out to say the least.

After my car was sitting for almost three years I did an extensive head gasket project and some other things including a high performance coil with accompanying spark plug wires, new distributor cap and rotor, new iridium spark plugs, new silicon vacuum lines, fuel filter, and fuel pump cartridge.

It started very well, but after running for about 30 seconds it had only about 1 quart of oil/water on the dipstick and the same mixture of oil and water on the ground. I checked the coolant reservoir and it didn't seem to have gone down much.

I don't think it was coming from the head gasket. It was coming out below the water pump area. This may sound like a stupid question, but can and water and oil mix then leak out quickly at the water pump if that gasket went bad?

See a couple pics below:

[jblackburn]

It has to be the head gasket allowing them to mix (or a cracked block).

The only other thing that would mix oil/water like that would be the oil cooler in the radiator - however, neither of those thermostats were open yet with only 30 sec of running.

[djohnk]

Does anyone have an idea of where could it be leaking so much by the water pump? Is there an oil line in the general vicinity?

I put in a new radiator/oil cooler right before the head gasket went bad three years ago. So even if the thermostat (which is new) was open I doubt that is the problem.

If not ... it has to be a cracked block I guess . I don't see how its possible I did a head gasket job that bad. I did it by the book with a re-manufactured head.

[precopster]

Is this a turbo? What year? Your signature doesn't show this on Tapatalk so I'm guessing here.

If so is it possible oil and water can mix AT the turbo if the housing is cracked internally?

If you have a sump mounted engine oil cooler this may be another source but it would have to be a '99 plus to have one of those.

[djohnk]

Yes, it's a turbo ... it's a 98 V70XC with 157,000 miles on it.

[djohnk]

I found the problem and its not good news:


I was pretty sure that the block was cracked as mentioned above, but was in denial after all the work I have done. I think I put over $1200 in parts and who knows how much labor. Before the catastrophic failure I had replaced the radiator, four new Michelin radial tires, and new struts on the front and other little things ... so that was at least another $1000.

I live in south Texas but in two weeks I'm moving to Oklahoma. I was trying to get it fixed so it could function as a pack mule and carry some of my belongings for the move. I was even thinking of putting a hitch on it.

I really like the car ... considering towing it to Oklahoma on a dolly behind the U-haul. Or parting it out ... what do you all think?

[jpr0204]

Oh boy!

Very sorry to hear about this considering the amout of time and money you have wrapped up in this.

Believe me, I feel your pain and know it sucks majorly.

My opinion, if it were I? Considering the new struts, tires, cylinder head and everything else I would probably try to find a donor block somewhere.

If the body is in good shape with no rust, the interior is in somewhat decent shape, the AWD is functioning properly and the transmission is working as it should, I would most definately try and fix it. At most, you'll be in for a new head gasket and a few gaskets and seals.

Cheaper than a $400 car payment every month. That's the way I would look at it.

Best of luck to you!

- Joe

[djohnk]

I agree with you Joe.

The car is in very good shape, no rust at all and the interior is still pretty good.

In addition to that I am very stubborn. Now I feel like I have am going to get the car running no matter what.

[jblackburn]

Ah that sucks.

Yeah, look for a used block with <150K miles if possible. This car is a pain, but isn't worth giving up on with all that other work into it.

[abscate]

The good news is you have used up all the bad kharma in your family for a year...