Water in the Oil

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John_Aldrich
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First Name: John
Last Name: Aldrich
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915, 1923. 1927
Location: Kapowsin WA

Water in the Oil

Post by John_Aldrich » Sat Jan 10, 2026 5:30 pm

NOT good.
Pulled the engine to put a rebuilt transmission on.

Put the car back together and when I checked the oil prior to starting the car it had oil in it (I installed a dipstick years ago).

Changed the oil and pulled the head thinking I had a blown head gasket. Replaced the head gasket (didn't really look bad) and reassembled.

Started the car and it started fine although I got blue smoke out of the exhaust initially. Not sure why. The longer the car ran the worse it would run (maybe 3 minutes long)

Head bolts are tight and has a new gasket. All I can think of is a cracked block.

Anyone have another idea?
John Aldrich
Typical Model T Addict

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JTT3
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Re: Water in the Oil

Post by JTT3 » Sat Jan 10, 2026 5:34 pm

Just spitballing here.
Any chance tightening the head bolts you went into the jacket?
Have you ever decked the block & head?
Any freeze plug leaking water into the valve gallery?
Crack running from valve sleeve to cylinder or a crack in the cylinder wall?
Crack in the head on gasket side


TXGOAT2
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Re: Water in the Oil

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sat Jan 10, 2026 5:47 pm

100% fresh gasoline? Did the engine run well before the work? How much water in the oil? Did it run with water in the oil? Plain water or water and antifreeze? Could be a a gasket issue, a crack, or condensation if the amount was small. Is there any chance that washing the powerplant prior to the work could have gotten water in it? T engines aren't water tight.

I'd recheck for water at the drain plug, and pull the plugs and look for any evidence of moisture. If none is evident, I'd run the engine to operating temperature and look for bubbles in the radiator tank and any evidence of excessive steam at the exhaust or at the oil fill cap.


Mike Silbert
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Re: Water in the Oil

Post by Mike Silbert » Sat Jan 10, 2026 6:34 pm

Perform a leak down test and check for air out the radiator to test the head gasket seal.
Or look for radiator bubbles when running.
This will give the answer or rule it out.
Now it might only leak when warmed up.
A leak down test will tell other things besides head gasket condition also.

It is difficult and risky to pressurize the radiator and look inside for drips.
Look for green drips up inside the bottom of the engine with the inspection cover off.
Mike

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