2004 Dodge Durango Water, or coolant in oil?

SMITH9802

MEMBER
2004 DODGE DURANGO

Engine Mechanical problem
2004 Dodge Durango V8 Automatic 51000 miles

I had to drive through heavy rain, and several pools of water on roadway in the morning. Short drive of less than 10 miles. Later in the day I noticed that there was a "burning smell" from the engine (on the drive back home). A small puddle of coffee colored oil was pooling under the truck. No noise, no over heating, and no white smoke. Took it to the shop for an oil change that very day.

Here's what was said: Air filter soaked. Coolant levels a little low. Coffee colored oil. "Blow-back" along bottom of truck.

Gasket, or cracked block. According to the service guy.

Continues to run fine. Not overheating. Not smoking. Not dropping RPMs.

Could it just be from the water, and short distance driving, or is this something worse?

3 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Ok if the air filter was soaked in water then you went through water that was to deep to go through and sucked up water in the intake. This may have been deep enough to allow water to get into the engine through the dipstick too. So I would keep an eye on the oil and if the oil don't change color again then that was all it was remember and learn that you can drive through ponds and lakes :).

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+2

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 AT 9:57 AM

SMITH9802

MEMBER
2 POSTS

That was my thought too since there have been no issues previous: The service guy did give me a mild heart attack when "going through scenarios".

It's sitting at my dealership's repair lot waiting to be seen.

Oil was replaced with a synth when it was changed.I read that the synthetic stuff doesn't turn milky, but gets darker? I'll keep an eye on that, and should I check the coolant levels (more than normal)?

And I'll be staying away from creeks, rivers, streams, puddles, and tobacco spiit.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 AT 11:19 AM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

I would just keep a check on the oil for a couple of weeks and check the coolant level as norm and watch the temp. If all is normal then it was just the lake water it took in. Boats are better for fishing you know :), let me know how it goes.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, May 21st, 2010 AT 10:20 AM