Water in oil now??

Grabatire · Apr 26, 2013

Changed the head on a 1953 WD9 because the original was cracked. Had the replacement head checked and resurfaced. Now there is water getting in the oil. That didn't appear to be the case with the cracked head still on the engine.

I notice water seeping out above the rear engine mounting plate so I suspect an expansion plug has rusted through on the back of the block. Is there any way that water can get back into the crankcase from that area other than the rear main seal or perhaps past the expansion plug at the rear of the camshaft?

There is no sign of a faulty rear main seal either.

I seen the engine run before the old head was removed, but I hadn't noticed the water coming from the rear. It probably was, I just didn't notice it.

The engine was extremely rusty inside the water jacket. In fact the water baffles were completely destroyed and there was an inch and a half of sediment in the bottom. I hope the block didn't rust through into the crankcase!!

The engine is coming out tomorrow to deal with the leak at the rear. Is there anything I should be looking for other than what I've mentioned above?
Dave.

Red Mercury · Apr 27, 2013

I have a Super WD-9 that has a crack behind one sleeve. It puts a very small amount of antifreeze in the oil when it sits for the winter (less than 1/4 cup). Tractor has ran well for years--just waiting for the problem to get bad enough to tear it down.

How much oil is in your WD-9's antifreeze?

Grabatire · Apr 27, 2013

RM, When I drained the water (not anti-freeze), there was a hint of an oil sheen visible if I was at just the right angle to how the sun was shining on it. I suspect it may be from when I washed the block deck with varsol prior to installing the head. I checked the water level in the rad a couple times to check for bubbles and didn't see any, but it was difficult to say the level dropped at all, or that the oil level in the crankcase came up. So it must not take much water to turn 11 quarts of oil milky.

I got the engine out today, but didn't get the rear mounting plate off yet to check for rusted expansion plugs. I fail to see how that would allow water to enter the crankcase anyway.

After I pull the pan, I plan to fill the water jacket with fairly warm water and pressurize it to see if I can determine where the leak is. With the amount of rust that was evident in the water jacket I wouldn't be surprised if there is a pin hole in the bottom, or perhaps in the sleeve bore, allowing water to get in between the sleeve and the bore.

Red Mercury · Apr 28, 2013

Interesting--I would think it would take quite a bit of water to turn
the oil milky. The oil in my Super WD-9 never turns milky with the
small amount of antifreeze that finds its way to the oil. I usually
drain the antifreeze out of the oil drain plug in the spring before
starting it. But there still must be some left behind. I am interested
in learning what you find, please post your findings.

Water in oil now??

Grabatire

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Red Mercury

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Grabatire

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Red Mercury

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