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Old 03-22-2020, 08:00 PM   #1
mike657894
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Default how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

I was low on water. Fill it up drive 5 miles home lose 1/2 gallon on the way. find foam in oil cap. I re-seal the head with copper spray gasket. Oil level remained constant but 1/4 inch of foam with water doplets coming up the oil tube. I'm guessing it's all over everywhere inside the engine. After oil change and trying to dry it out by driving for a few hours still very wet with foam maybe the foam shrunk slightly. I wiped out the tube what was easy. and no new foam just some light condensation of the water vapor slowly going out. Spring time in Michigan its not too warm out. Is there a way to get that foam out quick. Or do I have to remove pan and valve cover and mop it all out? The oil on the dip stick and in pan remained clear and looking normal. The leak was between 1 and 2 and should have been pushing most of the water out of the exhaust.
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Old 03-22-2020, 08:26 PM   #2
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

Remove the radiator cap and put a dial meat thermometer directly into the coolant. Cut a piece of cardboard to cover the front of the radiator. Fire it up and watch the coolant temperature. You can adjust the amount of the radiator covered by the cardboard and hold it in place with painters tape. By varying the amount of coverage and adjusting the hand throttle bring the temperature up to around 190 and keep it there for quite a while. Stay close and keep an eye on it.
Will do a lot better job of getting the moisture out than driving it about.
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Old 03-23-2020, 08:50 AM   #3
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

Generally the condense will vapor out during relatively long runs but it also depends on the relative humidity and outside air temperature as to whether it will reform after it cools down. Water always goes to the bottom of the pan if there is much in there. Let it set for a good bit then sump the oil pan by just letting a little bit out of the drain plug and see what's still in there. It will dry out as long as there are no further coolant leaks. A pressure check of the system can be done to make sure it's holding its mud. Short trips are condense makers. The engine has to completely warm up and then be driven a while longer.
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Old 03-23-2020, 09:41 AM   #4
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

Coolant temp should be 160 F or above for an extended period in order for the condensation to "burn off" in the oil. Depending on what condition your cooling system is in and the ambient outside air temp you may have to partially block the radiator. This is why I prefer to run a thermostat with a couple of extra "bypass holes" drilled and a coolant temp gauge. Helps prevent build up of condensate and sludge in the oil.
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Old 03-23-2020, 09:49 AM   #5
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

Water is heavier than oil and unfortunately it fills up the dipper trays and stays there when the oil is drained after an issue like you had. Refilling with fresh oil has left you with a mix of new oil plus quite a bit of old water that was in the dipper trays.

Quite some time ago I did a bit of measuring with a dipper tray to find the best way of draining it in place:

If you tilt the entire vehicle 38 degrees to the left (carburetor side of vehicle raised up) the dipper tray will empty all four valleys completely into the pan.

To do this the fuel tank needs to be less than half full and both left wheels temporarily replaced with old rollers and securely blocked well above the rim line.
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Old 03-23-2020, 10:08 AM   #6
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

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For those of us without the above capabilities of tipping the car, dropping and cleaning out the oil pan is an alternate method. At teh same time can inspect teh motor lower end for possible damage.
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Old 03-23-2020, 11:04 AM   #7
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

Quote:
both left wheels temporarily replaced with old rollers
What do you mean by "old rollers"?
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Old 03-23-2020, 11:38 AM   #8
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

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Originally Posted by katy View Post
What do you mean by "old rollers"?
Old wheels, not your daily drivers. The tilted side loading may want to roll the tire on the rim or otherwise mar your beautiful freshly painted wheels when against the blocking!
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Old 03-23-2020, 06:12 PM   #9
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1crosscut View Post
Remove the radiator cap and put a dial meat thermometer directly into the coolant. Cut a piece of cardboard to cover the front of the radiator. Fire it up and watch the coolant temperature. You can adjust the amount of the radiator covered by the cardboard and hold it in place with painters tape. By varying the amount of coverage and adjusting the hand throttle bring the temperature up to around 190 and keep it there for quite a while. Stay close and keep an eye on it.
Will do a lot better job of getting the moisture out than driving it about.
It worked like a charm. After it heated up the foam started to look greasy. It took about and hour to all go away. Thank you CrossCut!






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Old 03-23-2020, 08:17 PM   #10
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

Glad that it helped Mike.
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Old 03-23-2020, 11:37 PM   #11
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

A two minute fast idle with clean oil and a gallon of diesel fuel will Do wonders for removing any kind of crud including mayonnaise.
Keep it to a fast idle, not a fast scream.
When you’re done tilt the car to the left as explained above to get fuel out of the oil dips.
Ford recommended 10% diesel fuel in the oil on the model T when it was extremely cold out. I think when below zero or maybe colder, I forget.
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Old 03-23-2020, 11:38 PM   #12
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Default Re: how to remove oil foam after a head gasket fix?

It’ll heat up quicker if you run it with the spark over up.
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