Changing Oil After Cylinder Head Swap.

[onlyinajeep726]

Ok guys, I have a question.  I just got the XJ back to running after a recent head swap. The old head was cracked, leaking coolant into cylinder 2 and eventually into the oil.  Question is, I put new oil in it (obviously) but after running in and driving it a few miles, I decided to drain some of the new oil into a pan.  What I found was a bit of off colored oil but not really milky.  Smelled faintly of residual coolant.  If it helps, when I started it initially, it was pouring steam out of the exhaust but doesn't seem to be doing so after a 8 mile round trip drive.  Should I go ahead and change the oil again, or run/drive it a few more times and then change to fresh oil?

[dankicksass]

Oil is cheap, change it. Any time I've ever done engine work because of oil and coolant contamination, I flushed oil and cooling systems multiple times before releasing the vehicle.

[onlyinajeep726]

Oil is cheap, change it. Any time I've ever done engine work because of oil and coolant contamination, I flushed oil and cooling systems multiple times before releasing the vehicle.

 

Good call.  Thanks for the help.

[benjy_26]

I'd also say to change it with something on the cheap end, preferrably with lots of detergent *cough* Pennzoil *cough*, then take a long, leisurely drive so that thr engine gets nice and hot. Once you come back, dump the oil while the engine is still hot and fill up with what you normally use.

[onlyinajeep726]

I'd also say to change it with something on the cheap end, preferrably with lots of detergent *cough* Pennzoil *cough*, then take a long, leisurely drive so that thr engine gets nice and hot. Once you come back, dump the oil while the engine is still hot and fill up with what you normally use.

 

That's exactly what I did.  I drove it around yesterday before I posted this.  Drained the oil and put fresh in it with another new filter about 3 hours ago.  Been driving it and checking the oil periodically for color and smell.  No more steam out the exhaust, so I guess I was just burning off residual stuff in cat and muffler yesterday.

[dasbulliwagen]

Ive had the steam out the cat happen to me as well, just burning off whats left. It scares you the first time you see it though thinking you still have a problem.

[onlyinajeep726]

Ive had the steam out the cat happen to me as well, just burning off whats left. It scares you the first time you see it though thinking you still have a problem.

 

Exactly... I was starting to get PO'd, then I stopped to think about it logically and gave it a few minutes.  After a while it stopped and checking the oil and coolant verified there was no longer an issue.  Been driving her all day and so far so good, but I'm not going to call it just yet lol.  Paranoid still.

[Oddmodman]

Alright, so I'm stealing your thread for a sec. I obtained a '99 Chevy Metro that was supposedly rebuilt, but the owner couldn't get it started. It turned out to simply be the timing, and since the motor is non-interference, it was fine. What I am concerned about though is that when I did get it fired, it was 'rolling coal' like a diesel, except it was white. Naturally, I smelled it, figuring it had to be a head gasket, but it didn't really smell sweet, perhaps just a tad. I let it idle for about 5 mins and it kept putting out this smoke/steam stuff. Is that all it could be, stuff leftover in the exhaust? Did you smell your exhaust?

[onlyinajeep726]

Yes, I sniffed my exhaust like a bloodhound.  Was definitely left over coolant.  Doesn't smell like it anymore.  My guess was it was still caked into the combs of the cat.

 

Edit: The first line in my reply makes me sound like one of those junky huffer kids... Oops.  I just mean I wanted to be thorough.

[Oddmodman]

Ok thanks. Guess I'll just run it for a long time and watch the coolant level, make sure it's not dropping.