LSA Coolant in Oil Pan

[joeko23]

Hey guys I bought a pullout LSA from a 2015 wrecked ZL1, I pulled the oem oil pan to put on the Holley one and to my surprise there was some milkshake. I was told the engine has only couple thousand miles so I doubt there is a cracked head/block from overheating etc. plus the engine is completely stock no power adders. The only damage I have found is the oem exhaust manifold on the drivers side was slightly warped at the mating surface. Heads are not warped because my new manifolds have a tight fit. Also the bolts for the manifold were warped as well. I see no other damage. The engine turns freely. Most likely the car rolled several times. Would that cause coolant to spill into the oil pan?

[cwylie]

Are you sure it was coolant and not just water from sitting in the junk yard?

[joeko23]

How would water get into a sealed engine?

[eville]

Condensation. Was the engine stored covered? Through the intake?

[Snowcatter]

I would be very concerned about that...these engines are all aluminum which doesn't fare well when impacted in a crash. If that manifold was bent it could have easily damaged the head on that side or sprung the head gasket. Probably should check that head very carefully.

[Snowcatter]

Also of note, if you want to retain the LSA oil cooler the Cadillac LSA oil pan is the way to go. It has very similar dimensions as the F-body pans and has the mounting lugs for the oil cooler.

[joeko23]

I don’t know how it was stored, when I received the engine all ports/holes were covered with plugs, tape plastic wrap. I really don’t think it’s water from just sitting around. If it was just water there would be a separation of water/oil. This was like a milkshake color so the engine had to be on at least for a few seconds/minutes when the water/coolant got into the oil pan. At least that’s my thinking. Am I wrong in that theory? Water and oil doesn’t mix unless it’s mixed right?

[eville]

Did you contact the seller?

[Snowcatter]

Milkshake means it was running with water in the oil

[dhutton]

Hook up the radiator and pressure test the cooling system. Don’t forget to hook up the steam vent.

Don

[joeko23]

Does anyone think the physical act of the car/engine rolling over put coolant in the oil system?

[eville]

nope.