The Ford Barn

Bolts · 03-03-2014, 11:39 AM

Dear Barners,
Recently member 66Miles posted a thread about water in the oil. Several of us joined the discussion about possibilities for how the water could be getting in there.

As I would like to limit this discussion to failed head gaskets, I am starting this thread to learn from those of you who have had ACTUAL experience with this and may KNOW if water gets in the oil this way.

I have read theories that say water CAN'T get into the oil from a breached head gasket, but several have posted otherwise that the replaced gasket solved the problem (the assumption is it was a permanent fix).

If you have solved this problem by changing a head gasket, would you please share your experience(s)?

Many thanks, Alex

51 MERC-CT · 03-03-2014, 12:04 PM

Did not have a gasket fail but had the sealing ability in a specific area fail.
Water seeped into the cylinder and then worked it's way past the rings and into the oil. The problem was solved with a new gasket and with a coating of Pematex the old gasket may have worked just as well.

JWL · 03-03-2014, 12:57 PM

As to the question of whether or not water can get into the oil from a leaking head gasket, the answer is==== it depends on where the defect is in the gasket. Many gaskets are failed between cylinders and although this disrupts engine performance it does not, usually, allow water to enter the cylinder.

If the gasket failure creates a path to a water passage water entering the cylinder can seep past the ring pack and into the oil pan.

Bolts · 03-03-2014, 07:32 PM

I will add my 55 year old memory of my father's successful handling of this problem.
He said water could get past the rings. I always believed blowby was how it got in there.

Water in the oil is a frightening discovery. Visions of a cracked block and ruined engine will keep anyone up at night. But sometimes the symptom isn't catastrophic.

Doing the testing advised by the experienced members of this forum can't be over emphasized.

I'm hoping this thread will help those who have this problem understand although it is a serious symptom it doesn't always spell disaster.

Snouts out · 03-04-2014, 03:43 AM

I think our NewZealand friend(66 miles) should weigh in on this subject.

66miles · 03-04-2014, 02:00 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Well Snouts, I am following this thread of course since I had a nasty water/oil experience about 6 weeks ago now. My post at the time was entitled "Water got in oil today". It attracted a good number of responses with a wide variety of opinion on what the causes could be.
Anyway, I changed the head gaskets a couple weeks ago now, and have been running the old girl in the garage since then, as I watch for signs of the problem re-occurring.

It's early days but so far... Everything is OK.

Brendan · 03-04-2014, 02:25 PM

I can tell you that I had moisture on the breather in my old 21 stud motor.
the water did not make it into the oil yet. also I had bubbles, and water blowing out of the radiator. I changed one head gasket and all the trouble went away!

66miles · 03-05-2014, 11:42 PM

Very interesting to read the many varied opinions on head gaskets and coolant leakage into oil. Some seem to outright dismiss the idea, while others stand and give evidence to the contrary. Guess this topic is like so many others when it comes to the Ford flathead... an endless mystery.

rg130 · 03-06-2014, 12:48 AM

About 15 years ago I had water in my oil caused by a bad head gasket. This occurred in my 37 Ford 221 flathead. I drained the oil and replaced the head gaskets which corrected the problem. I haven't had this problem since and the engine is still running strong.

66miles · 03-06-2014, 01:13 AM

Thanks rg130. One more for head gaskets.

GEOFFNZ · 03-06-2014, 01:14 AM

A problem can occur with the bushing type water pumps. If the pump gasket is faulty water can get into the engine via the water pump bush lubricating hole that takes oil from the timing case to the bush..Cheers, Geoff.

fordlovr · 03-06-2014, 01:55 AM

I had exactly what GEOFFNZ described happen to me. Couldn't believe it but the water was getting into the sump via the oil gallery in the water pump. Took the sump off and could see the water dribbling down, I had both pumps reconditioned and all was good, I know this isn't about head gaskets ,but it may help someone ,cheers

03-03-2014, 11:39 AM	#1
Bolts Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 585	Myth and reality about bad head gaskets Dear Barners, Recently member 66Miles posted a thread about water in the oil. Several of us joined the discussion about possibilities for how the water could be getting in there. As I would like to limit this discussion to failed head gaskets, I am starting this thread to learn from those of you who have had ACTUAL experience with this and may KNOW if water gets in the oil this way. I have read theories that say water CAN'T get into the oil from a breached head gasket, but several have posted otherwise that the replaced gasket solved the problem (the assumption is it was a permanent fix). If you have solved this problem by changing a head gasket, would you please share your experience(s)? Many thanks, Alex __________________ Nothing wrong with it except for the name on the front. Alex Last edited by Bolts; 03-03-2014 at 06:29 PM.

03-03-2014, 12:04 PM	#2
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets Did not have a gasket fail but had the sealing ability in a specific area fail. Water seeped into the cylinder and then worked it's way past the rings and into the oil. The problem was solved with a new gasket and with a coating of Pematex the old gasket may have worked just as well. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

03-03-2014, 12:57 PM	#3
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets As to the question of whether or not water can get into the oil from a leaking head gasket, the answer is==== it depends on where the defect is in the gasket. Many gaskets are failed between cylinders and although this disrupts engine performance it does not, usually, allow water to enter the cylinder. If the gasket failure creates a path to a water passage water entering the cylinder can seep past the ring pack and into the oil pan.

03-03-2014, 07:32 PM	#4
Bolts Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 585	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets I will add my 55 year old memory of my father's successful handling of this problem. He said water could get past the rings. I always believed blowby was how it got in there. Water in the oil is a frightening discovery. Visions of a cracked block and ruined engine will keep anyone up at night. But sometimes the symptom isn't catastrophic. Doing the testing advised by the experienced members of this forum can't be over emphasized. I'm hoping this thread will help those who have this problem understand although it is a serious symptom it doesn't always spell disaster. __________________ Nothing wrong with it except for the name on the front. Alex Last edited by Bolts; 03-03-2014 at 08:58 PM.

03-04-2014, 03:43 AM	#5
Snouts out Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Covedale,oh Posts: 226	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets I think our NewZealand friend(66 miles) should weigh in on this subject.

03-04-2014, 02:00 PM	#6
66miles Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Wellsford - NZ 0900 Posts: 214	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Well Snouts, I am following this thread of course since I had a nasty water/oil experience about 6 weeks ago now. My post at the time was entitled "Water got in oil today". It attracted a good number of responses with a wide variety of opinion on what the causes could be. Anyway, I changed the head gaskets a couple weeks ago now, and have been running the old girl in the garage since then, as I watch for signs of the problem re-occurring. It's early days but so far... Everything is OK.

03-04-2014, 02:25 PM	#7
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,989	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets I can tell you that I had moisture on the breather in my old 21 stud motor. the water did not make it into the oil yet. also I had bubbles, and water blowing out of the radiator. I changed one head gasket and all the trouble went away! __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

03-05-2014, 11:42 PM	#8
66miles Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Wellsford - NZ 0900 Posts: 214	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets Very interesting to read the many varied opinions on head gaskets and coolant leakage into oil. Some seem to outright dismiss the idea, while others stand and give evidence to the contrary. Guess this topic is like so many others when it comes to the Ford flathead... an endless mystery.

03-06-2014, 12:48 AM	#9
rg130 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Placerville, CA 95667 Posts: 113	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets About 15 years ago I had water in my oil caused by a bad head gasket. This occurred in my 37 Ford 221 flathead. I drained the oil and replaced the head gaskets which corrected the problem. I haven't had this problem since and the engine is still running strong.

03-06-2014, 01:13 AM	#10
66miles Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Wellsford - NZ 0900 Posts: 214	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets Thanks rg130. One more for head gaskets.

03-06-2014, 01:14 AM	#11
GEOFFNZ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oxford New Zealand Posts: 177	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets A problem can occur with the bushing type water pumps. If the pump gasket is faulty water can get into the engine via the water pump bush lubricating hole that takes oil from the timing case to the bush..Cheers, Geoff.

03-06-2014, 01:55 AM	#12
fordlovr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Rangiora,New Zealand Posts: 162	Re: Myth and reality about bad head gaskets I had exactly what GEOFFNZ described happen to me. Couldn't believe it but the water was getting into the sump via the oil gallery in the water pump. Took the sump off and could see the water dribbling down, I had both pumps reconditioned and all was good, I know this isn't about head gaskets ,but it may help someone ,cheers