Community Forums

thmdamit · 03-07-2010, 04:44 PM

Has anyone had water in the crankcase oil? I droped it off at the cummings dealer after hours. does any one know the possible causes? I want to be educated when Italk to the service advisor tomorrow.It is a 2006 model Could cold weather (low 20's ) cause this? Hope not 6 months left on warranty.

RustyJC · 03-07-2010, 04:46 PM

Oil cooler or head gasket. Most likely the oil cooler.

Rusty

thmdamit · 03-07-2010, 05:42 PM

Thank you I hope its the oil cooler, thats a simple quick fix

georgetown350 · 03-08-2010, 08:39 AM

Where do you see the water? is it on the dipstick?

georgetown350 · 03-08-2010, 08:45 AM

I checked our oil one day and the dipstick had grey gooopy stuff all over it ( foamy to) it concerned me greatly. Took it to Lazy days in Florida for oil change and while they were working on it I checked some new units on their lot. Quite a few of the new units had the same condensation on their dip sticks and the mechanic told me this is from sitting and is no big deal. Changed the oil and all is well.

RustyJC · 03-08-2010, 08:48 AM

A little amplification on my response from last night.

When you say "water in oil", it's important to know if it's water or coolant. A oil analysis lab can identify which it is quite readily. My response assumed (yes, I know that's dangerous) that you are seeing coolant in the oil.

If it's only water, and you have coolant in the cooling system, then about the only place pure water can come from is condensation. Have you been running the engine briefly this winter, not letting the fluids come up to operating temperature? If so, the heat/cooldown cycles can actually promote condensation as the water produced by combustion condenses on cool surfaces.

I'm suspecting the Cummins folks will test the oil to see what they're dealing with before making any recommendations to you.

Rusty

thmdamit · 03-09-2010, 10:29 AM

I had everything tested, they determined that the problem was condensation. I guess I need to take longer trips,to boil the water out of the oil.

Hooligan · 03-09-2010, 10:23 PM

Now That's good news And a good solution!!

Ray,IN · 03-11-2010, 07:06 PM

Allowing a diesel engine to sit (low) idling is perhaps the best thing you can do to promote crankcase condensation and contamination with raw fuel, promote cylinder wash-down from unburned fuel, and gum-up injectors. A diesel engine will never reach normal operating temperature at low idle. It is designed to work hard, and that is when it runs best.
In the absence of working a diesel engine hard, it is suggested to perform all maintenance using the extreme duty schedule.
Glad you found the cause, and it is a cheap fix.