Earlier this week when I had my olive-green oil (not olive oil!) drained into a
pan sitting beside my Tr3,
Doug Matthews, ace TR3 mechanic, commented that he also was concerned about
possible water in my oil. Not only was he talking about its olive-green color,
but also it's top layer looked shiny-clear. However, not until now did I
really connect it's color with a possible coolant leak! The antifreeze I use
is a typical bright green type, and, if mixed with oil might be olive colored!
(Just a likely guess).
Chris S. suggested that the two fluids might be mixing it up, and now I
see why he thought that might be the case. This is a terrible thought, but,
could be the case. One thought, which I briefly mentioned to Doug, as he was
about to leave, is that Proffesional Engine Shop which rebuilt my motor might
also be responsible for it's problem. What I am asking for here is how I might
verify if this is the problem? Chris also suggested to be on the close lookout
for an increase in the amount of oil in the engine (due to water seepage) as
this could be one way of verifying this to be the problem. If indeed, this is
the problem, I'd like to have as many 'verifications' as possible before I call
the Engine Shop to report the problem.
As you proably are aware, this engine only has 2-3 hours of total
run time since it was rebuilt. (And I have mounted it on the chassis, with
tranny). One day, I drove it a little ways into the front yard, but, the car
is far from road ready. Prior to getting the radiator performing correctly,
the engine ran hot on two occasions. I shut it off immediatly but the gauge
got up to 230 degrees. It is my belief that this should not be the reason for
coolant in the oil. And with only a couple hours of run time, the engine shop
hopefully will stand behind their work! Of course, getting it there is another
problem.
But for right now, I need to remain optimistic that this oil which was
only ran for 20 minutes turned greenish because, 'if maybe got water in it
because the dipstick got left out and it rained!' But I may need other tests
or 'verifications' to sound convincing:
TEST #1 - an increase in the amount of engine oil (drain it after how many
days?, should I crank it after putting the oil in?)
TEST #2 - maybe something to do with oil pressure? I remember that, during
those 20 minutes, the oil pressure kept going down... I shut it off at 30
psi... then I remembered I had put a couple of 10W-30 quarts in it... and
assumed...
TEST #3 - maybe somethin like skipping?
TEST #4 - maybe somethin like water coming out of the tailpipe with the
exhaust? (antifreeze was a 50/50 mix)
TEST #5 - maybe somethin I might ought to buy?
Ya'll have helped me overcome fears before. I hope you are full of ideas now;
Thanks,
Paul Dorsey
60 TR3A
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