This is a repost because a lot of knowledgeable people don't leave this area and venture into the general vehicle info area...

I had my head rebuilt. While it was at the shop, I drained the oil, and left the drain plug open for probably a week this winter to let all the crap drain out.

I didn't have a head gasket failure, but was burning oil and thought the head was to blame.

I put it all back together and filled it up with oil and water. Started it and let it warm up. Drained the oil. Looked like chocolate milk. Rocker panel was a little foamy.

Re-torqued the head bolts, adjusted the valves, filled it up again and let it warm up. So far so good? Oil looks clean, not getting overfull. Rocker panel is not foamy.

Could there have been that much condensation built up in the crankcase? I'm still a little worried and am about to take it out on the highway but have been letting it run in my driveway, and just a quick trip to fill up with gas so far.

Hoping everything is ok, but I've never had such watery oil come out after doing a head gasket (not that I've done a lot of them).

 

After sitting for so long it's conceivable that moisture buildup could be responsible, though I personally have never experienced this and my Ford will sit for 1+ years.

Best advice would be to remain aware, take appropriate precaution and continue vigilantly checking your oil. These heads warp from being stared at too long cockeyed. If you had it surfaced before install and installed it correctly and cannot find further evidence of water in the oil I say drive it. You can try a compression test or a leakdown test and see if there are any obvious signs of a blown gasket/warped head.

 

Ok, thanks.

It sat with the drain plug open, is why I wonder. I could see frost forming in there. Who knows...

So far so good. Will take it out on the highway tomorrow.

 

I would suspect condensation since the plug was out for that long

 

It seems like that must have been the case. 2,000 miles later, no water in oil, no oil in water.

 

Glad to hear it. Ticked this down in the mental notebook.

 

Yeah, pretty scary! But it turned out ok.

 

That's good to hear