Anyone had this problem before? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

63AROD · 10-03-2010, 12:38 AM

I have a 292 and it has been running fine. The weather is hot out here now so I go to check my radiator fluid to make sure Im good. I see it muddy, stick my finger in there and its oil. I check the the oil dipstick and it shows full but you can tell there is water mixed. Is this the head gasket?
any help would be appreciated.

ConnDemned · 10-03-2010, 01:00 AM

That would be my first idea, not sure of any other place water and oil could mix as much as the head/ block mounting surface. Kind of crappy news but not a total waste. Good luck with the repairs and make sure to check the surfaces that they aren't damaged or warped.
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markeb01 · 10-03-2010, 01:30 AM

If you have an automatic transmission with cooler lines connecting into the bottom radiator tank, check your trans fluid. It's not very common but if there's a defect in the bottom tank it can allow radiator coolant and transmission fluid to be mixed, which won't do the transmission any favors. Otherwise my guess would also be the head gasket. A compression test should tell the story. If you don't have a compression tester I've read where some auto parts stores rent them out.

61_FL_Apache · 10-03-2010, 08:19 AM

You should be able to smell the difference between oil and tranny fluid. Try that too. If you have an auto.

geezer#99 · 10-03-2010, 11:25 AM

How's the carb running.Considering what your carb and linkage looked like there's no telling what the po might have put in your rad. Go to wally World and get a clear sided tub to drain your rad into and leave it to sit overnight. If there's indeed oil in your rad then it'll settle to the bottom when it seperates. Probably a good time to drain and change your coolant anyway.

63AROD · 10-03-2010, 11:48 PM

Thanks Fellas, I'll look into it more. Im pretty sure that I can do the head gasket myself but while Im there is what makes me not want to take it apart....haha. Im saying while Ive gone that far I might as well replace this, that and the other..
I dont have an automatic trans though. Its a three speed column shift set up. I will drain the radiator though Im sure thats no good for the system itself.

@ Geezer#99 the carb is running great no problems there.

10-03-2010, 12:38 AM	#1
63AROD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: West Covina, Ca. Posts: 44	Anyone had this problem before? I have a 292 and it has been running fine. The weather is hot out here now so I go to check my radiator fluid to make sure Im good. I see it muddy, stick my finger in there and its oil. I check the the oil dipstick and it shows full but you can tell there is water mixed. Is this the head gasket? any help would be appreciated. __________________ 63AROD

10-03-2010, 01:00 AM	#2
ConnDemned Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 103	Re: Anyone had this problem before? That would be my first idea, not sure of any other place water and oil could mix as much as the head/ block mounting surface. Kind of crappy news but not a total waste. Good luck with the repairs and make sure to check the surfaces that they aren't damaged or warped. Posted via Mobile Device

10-03-2010, 01:30 AM	#3
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: Anyone had this problem before? If you have an automatic transmission with cooler lines connecting into the bottom radiator tank, check your trans fluid. It's not very common but if there's a defect in the bottom tank it can allow radiator coolant and transmission fluid to be mixed, which won't do the transmission any favors. Otherwise my guess would also be the head gasket. A compression test should tell the story. If you don't have a compression tester I've read where some auto parts stores rent them out. Last edited by markeb01; 10-03-2010 at 01:33 AM.

10-03-2010, 08:19 AM	#4
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,067	Re: Anyone had this problem before? You should be able to smell the difference between oil and tranny fluid. Try that too. If you have an auto. __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

10-03-2010, 11:25 AM	#5
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,733	Re: Anyone had this problem before? How's the carb running.Considering what your carb and linkage looked like there's no telling what the po might have put in your rad. Go to wally World and get a clear sided tub to drain your rad into and leave it to sit overnight. If there's indeed oil in your rad then it'll settle to the bottom when it seperates. Probably a good time to drain and change your coolant anyway.

10-03-2010, 11:48 PM	#6
63AROD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: West Covina, Ca. Posts: 44	Re: Anyone had this problem before? Thanks Fellas, I'll look into it more. Im pretty sure that I can do the head gasket myself but while Im there is what makes me not want to take it apart....haha. Im saying while Ive gone that far I might as well replace this, that and the other.. I dont have an automatic trans though. Its a three speed column shift set up. I will drain the radiator though Im sure thats no good for the system itself. @ Geezer#99 the carb is running great no problems there. __________________ 63AROD

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