1 gallon of water in oil

sobe · Post by **sobe** » 11 Jan 2003, 22:07

Get this, I lent my mom my 850. The low water in resevoir light turned on and my mom attempted to add water. This is the funny part...she put a gallon of water in the oil fill. She made the mistake because she drives an american car, and the radiator has a cap. She figured the cap in the "middle" is for the radiator. Needless to say, she drove like 7 miles, and the car died. Do you think the engine is ruined? or is it just that water got to the spark plugs and that's why it shut off? What should I do?
any suggestions are really appreciated.

MJJ · Post by **MJJ** » 12 Jan 2003, 22:18

I believe it's toast, or in this case caramel, as that's pretty much what happens to ethylene glycol at high temperature. Hopefully this will not strain family relations too much... But if I had to choose between my S70 and my mother I'd have to think a while...

sobe · Post by **sobe** » 13 Jan 2003, 08:55

Hey! Nothing happened. I drained and flushed the crankcase. Replaced the oil and filter, and ran it for 15 minutes. The water that was left mixed with the oil, at which time I drain and replaced again. It is perfect now. I'll change the oil and filter in a couple of days again just for good measure.

MJJ · Post by **MJJ** » 13 Jan 2003, 15:44

Fingers crossed nothing will turn up later...

Post by **matthew1** » 13 Jan 2003, 16:13

This is quite a story. Please keep us informed on the medium-to-long-term effects, if any. Good to hear the immediate outcome is good!

I've heard and read so much about durability of the 2.3/2.4/2.5 engines we 850/70/60 owners have. If your situation continues on a positive track, it is indeed a bulletproof engine.

sobe · Post by **sobe** » 13 Jan 2003, 19:21

will keep you guys posted