I bought a zz430 clone last year to go in a 89 camaro. I didnt get it in the car until mid summer this year. The car has been parked for about 2 and a half months.
I went to start the car again and noticed oil in the water, then I checked the oil and it was just a milky sludge. I called the dealer I bought it from because its still under warranty for 2 months and it only has 600 miles on it. He told me to check the intake manifold bolts because there has been a problem with them coming loose. I checked and sure enough some were loose. There are only 8 bolts holding on the intake manifold and they are torqued to 12lbs.
The dealer sent me a new intake gasket to try to make sure that was the problem.
My question is this. The oil was changed about 200-300 miles ago, and there was not any water/antifreeze in the oil. The the car was drove for about 200-300 miles. Then it was not started for about 10 weeks, It just sat with the bad oil. Will There be any Harm done to the engine in the long run, Like bearings ect? Guessing by the dipstick it had 2-3 quarts of water/orange antifreeze in the oil.
Why would the oil get in the radiator Though?

 

hmm, I think it could be the head gasket. that will cause this problem too. as for the intake leaking, you would notice the lack of performance, and mostly just water/coolant in the oil, and probably not vice versa. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

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'86 IROC 5-speed
305 LG4
edelbrock performer rpm intake
edelbrock 600 cfm carb
msd pro billet hei distributer
'95 3.23 rearend
hotchkis rear suspension
PST front polygraphite suspension
"speed kills. buy a f@&d, live forever."

 

Do you have an oil cooler??

They are known to break inside the adapter that screws into the block.

As far as future damage...no telling, coolant is a corrosive and bearings sitting in coolant will go bad.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited October 18, 2001).]

 

I dont have a tranny cooler in the radiator I have a manual (t56)

I was afraid there could be damage in the long run. ( longer than the warranty) It makes me sick to think my 4500 dollar motor could be screwed.
Is there anything I can do to assure myself the engine is fine?

 

Sorry, I should have been more specific...i meant engine oil cooler



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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"

 

The only way to be sure about the bearings is a teardown. I'd suspect if the car was sitting, that the bearings are damaged. I have a pic around here somewheres of what can happen from coolant in the oil for a rather short period of time, let me see if I can find it.

Yup... the score mark obviously is from something else, but the pitting is from a coolant leak into the oil that was supposedly cleaned right away. These bearings have around 25k miles on them



Youre right about oil in the water though... that doesnt sound right at all. I suspect what engineboy said could have caused it. Do you have that sandwich engine oil cooler thing where the oil filter attaches?

[This message has been edited by madmax (edited October 18, 2001).]

 

No oil cooler. I wish I would have recieved a NEW MOTOR, not a intake gasket. I dont understand the oil in the radiator either. there was not a lot of oil but I know the oil came from the new motor because I put in a new radiator and hoses not very long ago.
What Should I do?

 

Ask to talk to the warranty rep about it. There shouldnt be any oil in your radiator unless something is cracked or the head gasket is totally gone. You can have it tested to see if its leaking exhaust gases into the coolant, that may be something you might want to consider doing first so you have some more ammo. I'd really be willing to bet they want the warranty to run out before you find out whats wrong.

 

I just talked with the chevrolet dealer again and asked if I could have a replacement zz430. He said it was a fixable problem so there would be no replacement. So much for my warranty.