3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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Not sure what to do...Water/Brake Cleaner/Purple Stuff Mixed with engine oil
As you can tell from my thread title...I have a mess.
Today, I finished a TB replacement on my 96 Camry 4 cyl.
I had to remove the valve cover to keep the cam from turning so that I could remove the cam pulley. After I removed the valve cover, I decided to clean some of the built up gunk on the passenger side of the motor with the following: engine degreaser, purple stuff, brake/parts cleaner and of course, the good 'ol water hose. Basically, anything I could get my hands on to eat away the built up gum and crud that was so thick I couldn't even see the bolt heads.
Well, in the process of "cleaning up," I must have gotten some of this in the engine block......remember the valve cover was taken off.......and yes I did set it back in place, but apparantly some seeped in the spark plug tubes and the area where the gasket seal was broken.
After I got everything put back together, I started the car and notice white smoke coming from the exhaust. Normally this indicates a mixture of water (antifreeze) and oil, so I checked the dipstick and noticed air bubbles mixed with the oil. I then proceeded to drain the oil from the pan and saw the milkiest, thinnest, nastiest "oil" I've ever seen. It looked like 4 qts of melted chocolate milkshake.
Now, I just changed my oil pan gasket, oil filter and oil about 2-3 weeks ago, and I religiously change my own oil/filter every 3K miles. So, I dumped out the old "milky" oil, installed a new filter, installed 4 qts. of new oil, drove the car about 10-15 miles, dumped the oil again, installed another filter, as well as 4 more qts. of new oil. The oil looks alot better with the last oil change and I'm not sure if this is the only way to get all of the "contaminates/contaminated oil" out of the engine.
I would like some suggestions from other forum members on what they would do if this was their car.....Should I just continue to "wash, rinse, repeat" like I've done until I don't see any more milky or watery looking oil or is there an easier way to flush out all of the old contaminates......Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
As you can tell from my thread title...I have a mess.
Today, I finished a TB replacement on my 96 Camry 4 cyl.
I had to remove the valve cover to keep the cam from turning so that I could remove the cam pulley. After I removed the valve cover, I decided to clean some of the built up gunk on the passenger side of the motor with the following: engine degreaser, purple stuff, brake/parts cleaner and of course, the good 'ol water hose. Basically, anything I could get my hands on to eat away the built up gum and crud that was so thick I couldn't even see the bolt heads.
Well, in the process of "cleaning up," I must have gotten some of this in the engine block......remember the valve cover was taken off.......and yes I did set it back in place, but apparantly some seeped in the spark plug tubes and the area where the gasket seal was broken.
After I got everything put back together, I started the car and notice white smoke coming from the exhaust. Normally this indicates a mixture of water (antifreeze) and oil, so I checked the dipstick and noticed air bubbles mixed with the oil. I then proceeded to drain the oil from the pan and saw the milkiest, thinnest, nastiest "oil" I've ever seen. It looked like 4 qts of melted chocolate milkshake.
Now, I just changed my oil pan gasket, oil filter and oil about 2-3 weeks ago, and I religiously change my own oil/filter every 3K miles. So, I dumped out the old "milky" oil, installed a new filter, installed 4 qts. of new oil, drove the car about 10-15 miles, dumped the oil again, installed another filter, as well as 4 more qts. of new oil. The oil looks alot better with the last oil change and I'm not sure if this is the only way to get all of the "contaminates/contaminated oil" out of the engine.
I would like some suggestions from other forum members on what they would do if this was their car.....Should I just continue to "wash, rinse, repeat" like I've done until I don't see any more milky or watery looking oil or is there an easier way to flush out all of the old contaminates......Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, SunGlobes
I only see oil like this in an engine that has a failed head gasket letting coolant into the oil system. You must have got a whole hell of a lot more in there then some seeping. You have already done what I would have suggested. It is extremely unlikely that you caused any damage.
I only see oil like this in an engine that has a failed head gasket letting coolant into the oil system. You must have got a whole hell of a lot more in there then some seeping. You have already done what I would have suggested. It is extremely unlikely that you caused any damage.
Here's some more info to help evaluate......Prior to changing the TB, seals, etc. I did not have any problems with water mixing in with the oil. My radiator was full, and the coolant overflow reservoir was at the correct level when I drained them both to install the new water pump, so I'm not at all concerned that I have/had a blown headgasket.
I can only assume that I must have gotten carried away with the nozzle on the water hose. I guess it's possible more water may have entered via the spark plug tubes. I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but at this point I had removed all 4 sparkplugs, so I guess that's a clear shot inside the block for any water to enter.....
Am I doing the right thing by continuing to change the oil and oil filter till the oil looks like it's "back to normal" or is there another method I can use to "flush the engine."
I told my neighbors what I had done and one suggested to run kerosene through the engine and the other neighbor suggested to run ATF through the engine......By "running through the engine" they both suggested to remove the oil plug, then pour kerosene (or ATF) in the same opening that you pour motor oil, and simply let it drain out into the "oil drain" pan.
Just run it like it is. Maybe change the oil at half life it is bothering you. You will have some more of that opaque oil at each change for a couple changes. Neither kerosene nor ATF will help remove the moisture any more than your motor oil will.
I agree with just changing the oil again early. I'd drive enough so the engine is at normal operating temperature right before you do the oil change so the oil is nice and thin and drains quickly and completely and you get rid of as much of the contamination as possible. 'Rinse and repeat' using regular engine oil until the drained oil looks normal sounds like the safest strategy to me.
Just run it like it is. Maybe change the oil at half life it is bothering you. You will have some more of that opaque oil at each change for a couple changes. Neither kerosene nor ATF will help remove the moisture any more than your motor oil will.
Thanks for your help, frenum49. I guess I was just trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.....
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