What makes the water go into the oil?

Question

I have a 1994 Pontiac Sunbird with a Automatic transmission and a 4 cylinder engine. Well when you pull out the dip stick it is a lighter color tan and my husband says it has water in the oil. What would make it get water in the oil? Would that be a cracked head, a blown head gasket, or what?

Answer 1

head gasket is gone

Answer 2

i have had gas in my oil that made it light brown also. but the other answers are going to be the problem,99% of the time.

Answer 3

It could be either one.

Answer 4

a leaking head gasket will do that.

Answer 5

Both of your suggestions could lead to water in the oil.

Based on personal experience (what my sister went through); I'd say you should have the compression checked on each cylinder and see if you can locate the leak. Either way will require substantial labor to identify the problem (either half remove the engine, or half remove the engine).

If it's a head gasket, you can have a new one installed & have the engine built back up. If it's a cracked block, you will have spent a fair amount of $$ to learn that the 14 y/o car needs a new engine.

One other alternative (but still open to risk) is to get a working engine from a salvage yard. The problem is you don't know the history of this salvaged engine -- so there is the risk.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You are right on both accounts.  It could be a cracked head, a blown head gasket, or even a blown intake manifold gasket.  Do not continue to drive the car under this condition.  Get it repaired asap.  Water in the oil will cause rust inside the engine.  Water in the oil will keep the oil from doing it's job properly, leading to premature engine failure.

Answer 7

yes your man is correct this modle is prone to head gasket problems take to respect full tech for further diag.

Answer 8

i see one of three possibilities,

1 a blown head gasket. time to remove thew head and clean every thing and replace the gaskets that were disturbed.

2 a cracked head. time to replace a head and replace all gaskets involved

3 a cracked block. time to replace an engine really.