Jim Grant's Tech Tips '96 Dodge Pick-Up, Cafe Latte Crankcase
Q: The anti-freeze
is obviously mixing with oil in my '96 Dodge Pick-Up. However I don't
feel or see any difference in the performance of the truck. I am not losing
any oil or anti freeze. I know the first thing we could assume is that
there is a blown or leaking head gasket. My question to you is... about
4 months ago I changed the water pump. Could there be any point or location
at the water pump that would allow the oil and the anti freeze to mix?
- Joe
A:
Depending on which engine your Dodge Pick-Up has it is possible to create
a path that will allow coolant leak into the crankcase. It does not take
much anti-freeze with the oil to whip up a good Latte inside the engine.
On V-6 & V-8 engines the timing cover is located behind the water
pump. When replacing the water pump you have to remove some of the bolts
that hold the timing cover in place. There are coolant passages that run
through the timing cover. If the timing cover gasket is disturbed, a coolant
passage can become an internal coolant leak. The fix? Remove the water
pump and then timing cover to replace the necessary gaskets. Use care
if you're still operating the engine. It only takes a drop of antifreeze
in the right place to damage a critical engine bearing.
|