[Healeys] Glycol in oil - Update and summary

[john harper]

Roger

I had a 4-cylinder block rebored. It was then pressure tested and a tiny
pinhole was found in the wall of one cylinder. This was fixed by fitting a
liner. If left as it was I assume that coolant would have leaked into the
cylinder and then worked its way into the oil in the sump.

My engine rebuilder carried out a leakage test. I am very grateful that he
did. The fitting of the liner cost a little more but it was money well
spent.

On Sun, 10 Mar 2024 at 17:28, Roger Grace <roggrace at telus.net> wrote:

> *Issue* – 67 BJ8 with about 15k mi on rebuilt engine by PO.
>
> A few months back when setting tappets noted the dreaded creamy gunge on
> the inside of the valve cover indicative of glycol and moisture in the oil.
>
> Have lost several engines (not AH) over the years due to this phenomenon
> and am a little paranoid about glycol in the oil. No evidence of oil in
> coolant. Compression normal.
>
> Took oil sample to the CAT lab and came back positive with 1332 ppm glycol
> and 240 ppm sodium. About 1500 mi on the sample
>
> *Step #1*
>
> So, drained oil completely including the oil cooler (pia) plus filter. Re
> torqued head and added some Bars leak stuff to the rad. Drove 420 mi and
> did retest. Still positive for glycol at 557 ppm and 55 sodium
>
> *Step #2*
>
> Head off; planed, pressure test and freshen by machine shop; new hi end
> gasket; new ARP studs; piston tops cleaned; new gaskets all round. Drained
> oil completely again and also new coolant. BTW use 20% glycol in RO water
> plus No-Rosion. Drove 420 mi again and retest. Some improvement but still
> positive. Above the lab. flag level of 500 ppm (glycol) and 25 ppm (sodium)
> at 609 ppm glycol and 29 sodium. Just on edge as they only do glycol
> analysis if sodium is above 25 ppm. For interest this translates into
> 3.25ml (less than a teaspoon) glycol or 16.26ml for coolant to trigger the
> flag. Must be bad stuff.
>
> *Step #3*
>
> Coolant pressure test. Drops 3 psi from 13 psi in 14 hours. Done at 65F.
> This seems to indicate a small leak ?
>
> *My thoughts:*
>
>    1.
>
>    small crack in block or head that opens up with heat ? Block more
>    likely.
>    2.
>
>    unlikely to be the known AH block porosity problem with the galleries,
>    as oil at 50 psi and the coolant is at less than 7psi and there is no
>    evidence of oil in coolant. Must be in the gravity oil return path to the
>    oil pan someplace.
>    3.
>
>    plan to run with no glycol in coolant; am located on mild west coast
>    and heated garage; change oil more frequently. Hopefully any water will
>    evaporate off. My understanding is that water is less of a problem than
>    glycol in the oil ?
>    4.
>
>    consider trying a coolant leak sealant again.
>    5.
>
>    maybe next winter pull oil pan and hunt for the leak from downstairs
>    with coolant under pressure with a view to doing an epoxy repair ? Wonder
>    if others have heard of this or there is a* “known” *area of block
>    weakness ?
>
>
> So, would welcome *any* ideas/thoughts/suggestions
>
> rg
>
>
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