Anti-freeze in Oil

[countryboy9799]

On my '94 Achieva I have been losing anti-freeze at a rate of maybe 1 pint every 2,000 miles with no external leaks. On my last oil change I put the used oil in a clear jug and let is settle over night. There was some anti-freeze that settled to the bottom of the jug.

I am at the point where I am not going to make any major repairs to the engine. It has been like this since I got the car 15,000 miles ago. I know some water pumps can leak coolant in to the oil, anyone know if the quad 4 is like this?

If it's the head gasket I will just run the car until it goes as is has 210,000 miles on it.

Outside of this the car runs great, the mileage is great and starts well with cold temps. Oil pressure drops down to about 18 at an idle when it is warm which is pretty close to the red mark, not sure if that is normal for this car or if the rod and main bearings are getting warn due to anti-freeze in the oil. But it has not gotten any worse in the 15,000 miles I have had it.

I have been doing approximately 2 to 2,500 mile oil changes on it. Outside of this what else can I do to help it last the longest I can?

Is there a certain kind of anti-freeze that is not hard on the bearings? Is there a certain oil I should use in my predicament?

 

[Brons2]

I would consider a 10w30 HDEO such as Rotella T5.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: countryboy9799
Outside of this what else can I do to help it last the longest I can?



Add a can of this stuff:

http://www.barsproducts.com/1111.htm

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: countryboy9799
Outside of this what else can I do to help it last the longest I can?



Add a can of this stuff:

http://www.barsproducts.com/1111.htm


+1 on the SILVER, not the COPPER one.. OR get a bottle of "seal Up" by CarGo, its the same thing but you empty and flush (?) the cooling system, run it with Water when it is cold and warmed up, let it idle, drain it coolant and spark plugs.. let it sit, THEN refill with water to rinse, then drain that, THEN put Blue Devil in it with the Antifreeze. Antifreeze eats at the stuff if it is holding, thats why i say Blue Devil.

Also add Lucas Stop-Leak one quart per change to the Oil People HATE that stuff, but in conjunction with Bar's, it does something.. and white smoke goes away. This is the application the Stop-Leak was designed for, IMHO. The other one is useless.

Both of these products go through the block and head, if a crack on block or head is there.

Also use some high mileage Oil, to help swell the seals. Conventional. Or Blend, if you feel you must.

Do this.. and it may run forever! See if the Coolant use goes down, or stops. Watch coolant for bubbles after car is off.

This is repair without spending $$. And, sometimes, may work. This is where people use Lucas: When a problem is suspected, on a hooptie, until the car dies, or real $ is spent..

Best Luck to you.

 

[crazyoildude]

use a large bottle of bars leak.... that is good stuff it also lubricates
first flush the system with water ONLY than add anti freeze and 1 bottle of bars leak with the pellets it works well..

Some might say different but asan engine rebuilder all of my adult life i know you have two choices one is a rebuild and the other is a bottle of bars leak...I use it in all my engines that have high mileage

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
use a large bottle of bars leak.... that is good stuff it also lubricates
first flush the system with water ONLY than add anti freeze and 1 bottle of bars leak with the pellets it works well..

Some might say different but asan engine rebuilder all of my adult life i know you have two choices one is a rebuild and the other is a bottle of bars leak...I use it in all my engines that have high mileage

He knows his stuff.

If it gets to the point of needing a rebuild, i would take my car to you. I am of the same advice, with the stop-leak, working IF used right, in a way they stand the greatest chance of sealing developing, or pre-existing, leaks.

 

[countryboy9799]

Sounds like some great suggestions. I had thought about using some sort of stop leak awhile back and forgot about it when I posted. I normally dont like to use this but for my situation it may be a good idea to get me by for another 40 to 50,000 miles.

I dont know if I want to use a high dollar oil like T5, I would like to stick to a cheaper oil so I can do oil changes more often if I dont get the leak fixed.

 

[Gary Allan]

While I'm unsure of the likelihood of a given oil providing more engine life with this condition, if it could, I would think that the cost difference of $0.75/quart would seem very small for the mileage you're looking for (another 50k). If it came out to 20 oil changes it would add..what...$75

 

[mechtech2]

Those Quad 4s had head gasket problems.

You can tolerate a bit it coolant in the oil, but it is not ideal.
You frequent oil changes are better than long ones, for sure!
Consider a slightly thicker oil. You have to overcome any coolant dilution problems.
Bars Leak? It can work -certainly worth a try here.

An old trick is to run the car with the radiator cap loose, and a lower level. This makes the system run at less pressure, with less leaks in or out. The downsides are less boil over protection.