Engine oil is essential for the health and longevity of any vehicle's engine. Anyone who owns a car has probably encountered the need for an oil change at some point. This is an important procedure for ensuring vehicle performance, as lubrication reduces friction between engine parts.
Equally important, the water or coolant in the radiator reservoir must be monitored and always maintained at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. This fluid's function is to cool the engine, preventing overheating and also acting as a mediator in heat exchange.
Performing preventive maintenance is essential to avoid engine failures after a period of time and/or volume of use.
How to identify a mixture of water and oil in the engine?
It's very simple! Pull out the oil dipstick. If the fluid is milky and has small bubbles, it's likely water or coolant. This can be dangerous and could even cause the vehicle's engine to seize. The main cause of this problem could be a crack in the cylinder head and/or block, or a blown head gasket.
Main reasons that can cause engine oil to mix with water:
Cracked cylinder head
When cylinder head cracks occur due to overheating and/or an accident, the head must be resurfaced or even replaced. Cylinder heads with these problems can lead to oil and coolant mixing. This happens because the cracks disorient the coolant, and over time, it mixes with the oil.
Engine block with problems
The engine block is the lower part of the engine that houses most of the oil-using parts. If the block cracks due to overheating, this will occur when the oil and water mix.
Engine overheating
When engines overheat, they tend to burn the head gasket, which, in the long term, loses its characteristics, and oil and water can mix, as the gasket's function is to seal the engine block and head.
Water in the engine caused by flooding
When driving through floods, water enters the engine, either through the top cover or any other open part of the engine. It's important to note that when accelerating the engine in such a flood, water can also enter the exhaust pipe.
Did you see how mixing engine oil and water can affect the proper functioning of the entire engine?
Always perform preventative maintenance on your engine and all of your vehicle's components. This way, you'll avoid headaches and save a lot of money on replacing parts.
Remember! Always choose a specialized professional to replace your vehicle's parts and always buy quality parts.
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