A Question for the knowledgeable ones.
We got a Healey BN7 out of storage yesterday to get ready for use this
season. This car has been completely restore about 12 years ago, had its head
gasget replaced five years ago and ran fine until put away three seasons ago.
Got
another car to use and hadn't started the BN7 in a few years.
Checked all fluid levels.
Noticed that oil looked good but radiator was low - added about a gallon of
water.
Engine started and ran fine. Let everything warm up and decieded to change
oil and filter. Oil came out a very muddy tan color. Suspected a blown head
gasget - but why, head gasgets don't just blow while sitting do they? Filled
crank case with oil and engine fulsh, ran for five min. and drained again. Oil
still a muddy tan color but lighter shade than before. Filled crank case again
but with straight oil. Did compression test - all cyl. 175 - 180 psi.
Pressure tested radiator - held 7 -10 lbs for 5 min. Ran engine for another 5
min.
Sounds and responds great. Drained oil again - still muddy tan but lighter
shade than the last time. Filled crank case once more but have done nothing
else. Its time to query greater minds.
Should mention that with each oil change, the filter was replaced as well
and the level of the coolant never changed
Took samples of the fluid as it was draining and these were labeled and
retained. After about four hours there was no separation of any of the fluid
samples. ie we aren't getting a layer of water and a layer of oil. Cannot look
at
samples again until tomorrow so I don't know if there was any separation
overnight.
This fluid is very slippery - not at all like water would be and does not
smell like anti-freeze.
Any suggestion as to the cause or what to check next would be greatly
appreciated.
Bob and Dave
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