Motor problems after overheating

RJEFFORDS

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET 1500
4.3L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
452,000 MILES

My truck overheated and I thought I cracked my radiator. I filled the radiator with water and drove about 15 miles. My truck quit so I put a bottle of water in the radiator to make it the last mile or two home. The next morning I checked my fluids and my engine oil looked like chocolate milk. I was told that it was just a head gasket, but how would I know for sure? I don't have the money to send the heads off to check them.

1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good afternoon.

The heads will have to be removed and inspected. That is not an option as they could be cracked.

Since the oil is milky, there could also be bearing damage on the bottom end. When coolant gets in the oil, that goes to the bearings. The coolant takes the babbitt off the bearings and that will cause main and rod bearing failure.

It is a lot more than just head gaskets. Sorry, you may want to consider replacing the engine at this point.

Roy