Water in the Engine

[Poor-sche Lover]

So, I'm attempting my first tune-up, including valve adjustment and oil change. When I was taking off the lower valve cover on the passenger's side, I noticed that there was a good bit of water that dripped out of the engine. I've heard of condensation in there, but it seemed like more than it should be. At the time, it was about 50 degrees outside. I didn't notice any water in the other side at all. Do you think this is something to worry about? Other than condensation, how could water get in the engine? I'm kind of confused about the whole deal.

Alan
'82 Guards Red SC

[Robs72T]

Other than condensation, how could water get in the engine?

Hole in the engine??? My timing chain housing had a hole blown in it that I didn't know about. After the car sat for awhile, I did an engine swap, and water came pouring out.


How much is a good amount? Have you checked the top of the engine/block?

[Poor-sche Lover]

Nothing like what you would get with a hole in the engine. Geez! I'd say, about a teaspoon? I'm guessing. Most of it dripped out as I was releasing the cover. Obviously, it came out before the oil started coming out.

['71 911E Coupe]

I had the same thing happen. Water came out from the pass. side lower valve cover. Some of it was like a whitish color too. I get a lot of water on the oil tank cap when I run the engine. And the whole tube down has this whiteish water on it.

So I'm in the same boat and am confused about it too.

[Mr.Puff]

Maybe fuel drier?

[wolf]

oil. last change?

[oldE]

What sort of driving have you done since your last oil change?
Short hops, which don't get the oil up to temp, never get the water which has condensed and pooled in out of the way places, hot enough to evaporate and get out of there.

Les

[Poor-sche Lover]

I've only had the car since mid-October, and I'll admit some of my trips have been quite short (a mile or two). Since I first saw the white/brown goop on the oil cap, I've been driving it longer to get the condensation out.

This is MY first oil change. It's got about 132,000 miles on it. I got it with about 131, and the oil filter said 129, but it was in April of '06. We'll see what happens when I get it all back together.

Forgive my ignorance, but what/where is a fuel drier?

['71 911E Coupe]

Think it keep water out of the gas. Or sorta gets rid of it.

[Zeke]

I've opened up 2 motors that had standing water in them for some time. It's surprising how good most of the internals are even after that. Long time standing water got to the rings and valves the most.

I'd change the oil and drive that puppy. If you can't get 20 minutes on the highway at least once a week you ought to not drive it on those short trips. Just my .02. I get mine out once a week or at least every other week just to keep it up. I go a min of 30 miles. Just got back from such a a trip.

[911pcars]

If you're a recent owner, the PO probably didn't operate it properly. That is, warm it up sufficiently before shutting down.

As the good folks described, it's a build up of condensation from the combustion process. Moisture settles in the lube system unless heated and turns to vapor. Drive and bring the engine up to operating temperature, then change the oil. Drive for 100 miles and drain again. Repeat as necessary. Eventually the sludge may disappear as the fresh oil drain removes it. Engine damage can result from blocking oil passages or acting as an insulator to retard heat transfer.

Sherwood

[mhoffman]

If you had is out in the rain or have recently washed the car, water can get in through the spark plug seals in the upper valve cover and then run into the cavities in the lower valve cover area... The rubber rings on the spark plug connectors get hard and don't seal very well.

Like others have said- get it up to N.O.T. for 10-15 minutes after exposure should dry it out...

v/r-