Water in oil five days after heads replaced

Tiny
CMAMA13
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE
Initial problem was water disappearing from the radiator at a rate of 1/2 gallon a day. Then the engine overheated and blew the head gaskets and cracked the heads. We had a UTI student do the head gaskets, providing him with heads we purchased from a salvage yard that we took to a machine shop and had rebuilt and resurfaced. He didn't do a very good job and there was water in the oil the day after we picked it up. My husband re-did the intake manifold gaskets - twice - which did not resolve the issue. He finally removed the heads which we took back to the machine shop who magna fluxed and inspected and gave them back to us with the "all clear". My husband reinstalled the heads on new gaskets, reinstalled the intake manifold again on new gaskets and here's the fun part - I drove it for five days with clear oil, then yesterday suddenly the radiator was low a 1/2 gallon and today it was low a 1/2 gallon. I drove it approx. 25 miles today, came home checked the oil and all of a sudden there's about a gallon of water in the oil. My husband is a very good mechanic but we are stumped. We feel the block is not damaged so don't have any idea what else it could be except the intake manifold itself. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 AT 3:16 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I am more inclined to believe that you have a block issue.

The surface of the block need to be checked. The deck may be warped from the overheating.

Roy
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Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 AT 3:33 PM
Tiny
CMAMA13
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you Roy for your brief but quick response.

This checking of the block deck for warping - would this mean the whole motor would have to be taken apart and the block taken to a machine shop? And could a machine shop resurface the deck?
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Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No, the heads have to come off again and the top of the block checked with a straight edge. The repair can be done in the truck with a good stone.

Roy
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Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 AT 4:34 PM

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