[Healeys] Glycol in oil - Update and summary

[Michael Salter]

Many years ago we had a similar issue with an MGB engine Roger.
We essentially did all the things that you have described with similar
results.
Eventually we took off the rad and heater hoses and installed plugs,
removed the water pump and made a blanking plate for the water pump face
and then with the cooling system filled with water containing a fluorescent
dye pressurized the system to around 100 p.s.i.
The leak was then revealed to be at the bottom of what appeared to be a
factory installed cylinder sleeve.
A very time consuming and frustrating process.

M

On Sun, Mar 10, 2024 at 1:16 PM 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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