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Changed heads, coolant in oil

gapost

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gapost Enthusiast

gapost

Posted
Posted

I changed the heads in my 05 5.3 Tahoe over the weekend and today found coolant in the oil, after only driving about 20 miles. I'm trying to figure out how it could get there. The only thing I can think of is that the head gaskets were not correct. I guess the heads could be bad, but they came fresh from the shop. Anyone have any other ideas? I know everything is tight, etc. Kind of depressed right now.

rdnkcpa Enthusiast

rdnkcpa

Posted
Posted

That really sucks. did you drain the oil before changing the heads? Could this have been left over from your second set of Castech heads?

 

Not a 100% sure, but I don't think a bad headgasket would leak coolant into the crankcase. It would allow it into the combustion chamber. Did you use all new gaskets and headbolts?

gapost Enthusiast

gapost

Posted
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Oh yeah, I'm pissed. Yes, new headgaskets, new headbolts, all torqued to three stages. I guess I don't have any option but to pull things apart, certainly the rocker arm covers.

gapost Enthusiast

gapost

Posted
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This is not a slow leak. It looks like the coolant is basically draining into the oil. I mean the coolant tank is empty after topping it up after it sat overnight. And the oil level on the stick is way high. The only thing I can think of is that the headgaskets are not right, even though the number matches for my engine. There are no leaks on the ground.

gapost Enthusiast

gapost

Posted
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All the experience on here and 244 views and no ideas???

 

I pulled the heads back off and couldn't see any problems. If there was a crack in a head, I would think it would be be enough to see, with the amount of coolant getting into the oil. All the headbolts were tight and the gasket looks good. I read that the water pump gasket could be a problem, but I changed it last year. So to summarize, before starting the work, there was a slow leak and bad castec heads. Replaced heads with rebuilt ones and gaskets and big coolant leak.

brantjs Enthusiast

brantjs

Posted
Posted

I can't speak from experience here, but at this point I would assume a problem with the rebuilt heads and I would exchange them for another set if possible.

brainpause Enthusiast

brainpause

Posted
Posted

I can't speak from experience here, but at this point I would assume a problem with the rebuilt heads and I would exchange them for another set if possible.

 

 

+1, especially if you are confident the gasket is right. Keep us updated.

Tucker Enthusiast

Tucker

Posted
Posted

Went thru this on a 06 Silverado 5.3 . Turned out the driver side rebuilt was bad. This was on my brother inlaws truck. He worked out a deal for some new aluminun heads with the machine shop he used. A friend that runs garage told him if planned on keeping the truck a long time it was his best option. That was back last summer no more problems since.

aflesch Enthusiast

aflesch

Posted
Posted

I would make sure the shop knows that if your crank bearings are shot in 10000 miles that they are paying for it. Lots of Antifreeze + journal bearings = bad news.

rdnkcpa Enthusiast

rdnkcpa

Posted
Posted

Wow. Just talked to the shop and they said both the heads are bad. Incredible.

 

 

Wow. Are they going to pay for a new gasket set and another set of head bolts?

 

Get a new set of heads, and move your old valves & springs over.

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