Hi,
I had a rich condition for a while and the mechs were trying to get the car running, and I noticed the oil level about a pint too high when I got the car back. The oil smelled like gas. I had to drive the car about 2 miles with this extra gas in it. Ran very rough. Plus the mech said he got the car started a few times, so he ran it too, somewhat. This really sickens me. What damage, if any, do you think was done by having gas in the oil? After a big armaggeddon at the mech's place, I got it to a 'real' mech, who fixed the car, and it actually runs fine once again, but the oil pressure is about 5 to 10 psi lower now ( I think). Would the gas have ruined my bearings 'slightly' so the oil pressure is lower ?

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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.

 

It thins the oil and if you turn enough RPM it will ruin the bearings. Change oil immediately and oil pressure "should" return.

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91 Camaro RS 5.0L Black Convertible 700R4
** Added so far **
*GM Wonderbar,Alston SFC's,spohn LCA's and Panhard rod
*Turbo City Inj Spacer
*Dual Snorkel Air Filter
*March Performance Pulleys
*GM 3.42 Gears with OEM Zexel POSI
*Edelbrock headers
*3" High Flow Cat
*3" Dynomax Exhaust
*Walbro 255 lph Fuel Pump
***Future 330hp Vortec Crate with LT4 hotcam and 454 TBI

 

As far as rpm's, I never had it over 3,000 and only had it up there for maybe 2 or 3 seconds, to see how it behaved, when there was gas in the oil. Don't know how high my mech had it though. I changed the oil as soon as I noticed the gas smell. Oil pressure still lower than 'usual' even after oil change. Since I still have over 20 psi even at 220 degrees, can I assume no damage to bearings ? Or do I maybe have 'some' damage to bearings ??



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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.

 

My car was loading up bad, and constantly fouling the plugs. It would load up and dump all kinds of gas into the crankcase. If the level gets so high as to submerge the spinning crank, you won't be able to rev at all. The bearings may have suffered some wear from the thinned oil. Is that 20lbs at idle? If so, no worries.
I ran mine around for months hoping it would die a horrible death so I could justify putting a new motor in. No such luck. Got the problem(s) fixed, and she's none the worse for wear.

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88 IROC with cobbled together (not by me)drivetrain, 86 (?) TPI unit on an '83 305,CE subframe connectors, Edelbrock strut tower brace, polygraphite bushings all around...it handles like a dream, but man is it hard to push!!

 

Yes. 20 psi at idle when hot. Good to know your car didn't get damaged from 6 months of thinned oil. Makes me think there is no damage to mine.

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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.

 

The gas could have cleaned (probably did) all the oil passages and gallies. If so, then the oil will run through easier, and require less pressure. After all, pressure is a result of high resistance. Kinda like putting your thumb on the end of a garden hose. The harder you push your thumb down, the more the pressure builds in the hose.

Just for safety, I would still change the oil again soon. The gas can be hidden in spots that the first change may not have gotten, such as casting flaws in the block and even the oil pan. That would also explain the lower pressure since the discovery.

Just my 2¢. G/L
AJ