The long and short of the story is I bought an engine without seeing it running. I was just pulling off the lower bracket for the power steering pump and low and behold the oil on the bolt looked exactly like chocolate milk.

It had a bit of a sweet smell, and was quite watery - any idea if this could be a sign of headgasket failure, or should I be unconcerned? I don't want to be putting all of the engine back together, get it in my car, and end up having to take the head off while its in when I can just do it with it on a block stand.

Advice, tips, flames welcomed! Thanks in advance.

 

*Insert generic flame here*

What the hell are you doing to that motor man? That definitely sounds like coolant and oil getting all nasty together, I'd at least take the head off to make sure while you have it on a stand. GL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wiZCo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">*Insert generic flame here*

What the hell are you doing to that motor man? That definitely sounds like coolant and oil getting all nasty together, I'd at least take the head off to make sure while you have it on a stand. GL </TD></TR></TABLE>

Son of a bitch, that was what I was afraid of. I guess I just wanted someone else to tell me that before I went ahead and did it.

I'm basically replacing everything that should be replaced (t-belt, tensioner, water pump, oil pump, cooler & strainer, various gaskets, dizzy) - I want it to run damn near new. I talked to the dude I got it from for a good while, and he said it didn't need a new HG but I didn't notice the yummy milk until now, otherwise I would have started bickering hardcore over the price (everything else looked clean).

Interestingly, the oil in the pan & the rest of the engine looked good, so I'm not sure what the expletive is going on. I guess its time to take off the head, first time for everything

 

If everything else looks good, you maaaaaaay be OK. But if it were me I'd replace the HG anyways, I don't trust anybody.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wiZCo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If everything else looks good, you maaaaaaay be OK. But if it were me I'd replace the HG anyways, I don't trust anybody. </TD></TR></TABLE> maybe get the head resurfaced too...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 89efDUSTY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> maybe get the head resurfaced too... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, I'm wondering if where the bracket was (it may not be power steering, its on the bottom of the block near the pan) he didn't just manage to get a coolant leak around it, as it doesn't appear to have any of the same symptoms elsewhere.

I eyeballed the head gasket and everything looked well but I figure I'll just go ahead and take it off just to be safe.

Thanks for the advice guys.