water in the cylinders.

fordkid68 · 08-27-2003, 12:56 AM

how does water get in the cylnders. and what kind of dammage does it cause to the cylinder walls and pistons.

thanks
fordkid

David Fulford · 08-27-2003, 01:08 PM

I've only removed a set of heads one time but I think I remember that when I did remove the heads, a little water got down in the cylinders when the head to block seal was broken. If this is what happened I'd have to say it is normal. If you got alot of water in one of the heads I'd say there's a problem somewhere. Good luck with it.

joinrdie · 08-27-2003, 01:26 PM

A blown head gasket will get water in the cylinders. Usually there will be some oil in the coolant when this happens too, so pull your radiator cap and look in there. Water in the cylinders is bad. The cylinder walls can corrode and wear out rings, and if the water gets past the rings, it will ruin all the bearings and stuff.

fordkid68 · 08-27-2003, 02:24 PM

well I pulled the radiater cap and shure anogh there is some oil in there.

what are the simtomsof water in the cylinders. I mean the head is allready off and there is oil in the coolant. but like for future reference. and how long does it take for the water to get passed the pistons. and when you say damaged bearings. you mean the engine will freeze on me.

and if it isn't to late I can just take the water out the cylinder flush the coolent and oil. replace the head gasket and be all set. or is it not that easy.

thanks
ford kid

joinrdie · 08-27-2003, 05:43 PM

When water gets in there, your car will start running generally crappy, and will blow steam out of the tailpipe as the water boils off, plus, the coolant will be consistently low because of this boiling.

You should be fine just by replacing the head gaskets, flushing the coolant and changing the oil. When the water gets in there, you get some water in your oil, just like the oil that gets in your water passages. This is what damages bearings and oil pumps and stuff. Generally, you'll notice the steam and the oil in the coolant before you have to worry about seizing the engine, just make sure not to drive it if that happens in the future.

David Fulford · 08-27-2003, 06:54 PM

Now that I think about it, I was on my brother-in-laws boat a couple weeks ago and he got water in the motor somehow. The way we found out was first the steam, then drastically reduced oil pressure, then noise from the engine. When we pulled the oil fill cap off and looked inside the valve cover, the oil looked like thick milk. Hope you didn't let your stang get to this point. If not then the above suggestion should do the trick. Later

fordkid68 · 08-27-2003, 07:05 PM

hey thanks guys. I allready got the head gasket and install the head tomorrow.

I will let you all know what happens.

thanks
66200

RDRZ · 08-27-2003, 08:48 PM

One other problem that I heard can arise from water in the cyl is if you get too much water in there and you have high compression (I have a little over 11.4), you can bend a connecting rod because water is not combustible and the compression will be too much with the added displacement.

fordkid68 · 08-27-2003, 09:05 PM

RDRZ- that is some good info to know. however I am dealing with A stock 200 inline. but will watch out for any signs of that any ways.

thanks
66200

PKRWUD · 08-27-2003, 11:55 PM

That was close, but not correct. The problem is that water is not compressible, so when the piston comes up, it's like having a slug in your cylinder. You do not have to have high compression to bend the rod. If there was water in the cylinder when you took the head off, it got there while you were taking the head off. If there were to be measurable amounts of water in a cylinder, it would hydrolock, and the engine would seize.

fordkid68 · 08-28-2003, 12:36 AM

PKRWUD- so your saying that there probly wasn't anything to worry about then.

thanks
ford kid

PKRWUD · 08-28-2003, 08:26 AM

Well, you blew a head gasket, so yes, there is something wrong. More than likely your head is warped. You should have it surfaced by a machine shop before you put it back on, otherwise you'll be doing this all over again before Christmas.

I don't think you did any damge from the water itself.

fordkid68 · 08-28-2003, 05:52 PM

well I am going to take your advice and get the head resurfaced.

once it comes back from the mechine shop I will install it.

thanks
ford kid

Rev · 08-29-2003, 03:29 PM

Unfortunately, there is another way or two water can get into the cylinders. A cracked block or head can allow water in there. It's usually a blown head gasket as everyone has said though. I cracked a block in my '53 Olds by not keeping adequate antifreeze in it during the winter. That was a lesson never forgotten. It acted just like a blown head gasket with "milk" in the crank case.

Rev

fordkid68 · 08-29-2003, 05:56 PM

Rev- thanks for letting me know that. I will have the mechine shop take a look at them and see if they can find any cracks.

thanks
ford kid

PKRWUD · 08-31-2003, 06:46 AM

Rev is correct. You can usually see them though when you have the head off, but it's still worth mentioning.

08-27-2003, 12:56 AM	#1
fordkid68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: fremont Posts: 306	water in the cylinders. how does water get in the cylnders. and what kind of dammage does it cause to the cylinder walls and pistons. thanks fordkid

08-27-2003, 01:08 PM	#2
David Fulford Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 193	I've only removed a set of heads one time but I think I remember that when I did remove the heads, a little water got down in the cylinders when the head to block seal was broken. If this is what happened I'd have to say it is normal. If you got alot of water in one of the heads I'd say there's a problem somewhere. Good luck with it. __________________ 1969 fast back; yellow; weld wheels; 302 roller with GT-40 heads; 3:55 gears; 5spd T-5; MSD 6AL; E-303; flows; Hedman headers; Holley 600;Weiand Accelerator;1.6 rockers

08-27-2003, 01:26 PM	#3
joinrdie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Aurora/Boulder, CO Posts: 57	A blown head gasket will get water in the cylinders. Usually there will be some oil in the coolant when this happens too, so pull your radiator cap and look in there. Water in the cylinders is bad. The cylinder walls can corrode and wear out rings, and if the water gets past the rings, it will ruin all the bearings and stuff. __________________ '73 Mach 1 351C+.030" 2V, FMX Holley 750, Edelbrock, Hedman, Lunati Cam http://www.mach-sr1.org

08-27-2003, 05:43 PM	#5
joinrdie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Aurora/Boulder, CO Posts: 57	When water gets in there, your car will start running generally crappy, and will blow steam out of the tailpipe as the water boils off, plus, the coolant will be consistently low because of this boiling. You should be fine just by replacing the head gaskets, flushing the coolant and changing the oil. When the water gets in there, you get some water in your oil, just like the oil that gets in your water passages. This is what damages bearings and oil pumps and stuff. Generally, you'll notice the steam and the oil in the coolant before you have to worry about seizing the engine, just make sure not to drive it if that happens in the future. __________________ '73 Mach 1 351C+.030" 2V, FMX Holley 750, Edelbrock, Hedman, Lunati Cam http://www.mach-sr1.org

08-27-2003, 06:54 PM	#6
David Fulford Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 193	Now that I think about it, I was on my brother-in-laws boat a couple weeks ago and he got water in the motor somehow. The way we found out was first the steam, then drastically reduced oil pressure, then noise from the engine. When we pulled the oil fill cap off and looked inside the valve cover, the oil looked like thick milk. Hope you didn't let your stang get to this point. If not then the above suggestion should do the trick. Later __________________ 1969 fast back; yellow; weld wheels; 302 roller with GT-40 heads; 3:55 gears; 5spd T-5; MSD 6AL; E-303; flows; Hedman headers; Holley 600;Weiand Accelerator;1.6 rockers

08-27-2003, 02:24 PM	#4
fordkid68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: fremont Posts: 306	well I pulled the radiater cap and shure anogh there is some oil in there. what are the simtomsof water in the cylinders. I mean the head is allready off and there is oil in the coolant. but like for future reference. and how long does it take for the water to get passed the pistons. and when you say damaged bearings. you mean the engine will freeze on me. and if it isn't to late I can just take the water out the cylinder flush the coolent and oil. replace the head gasket and be all set. or is it not that easy. thanks ford kid

08-27-2003, 07:05 PM	#7
fordkid68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: fremont Posts: 306	hey thanks guys. I allready got the head gasket and install the head tomorrow. I will let you all know what happens. thanks 66200

08-27-2003, 08:48 PM	#8
RDRZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Citrus Heights, CA Posts: 74	One other problem that I heard can arise from water in the cyl is if you get too much water in there and you have high compression (I have a little over 11.4), you can bend a connecting rod because water is not combustible and the compression will be too much with the added displacement.

08-27-2003, 09:05 PM	#9
fordkid68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: fremont Posts: 306	RDRZ- that is some good info to know. however I am dealing with A stock 200 inline. but will watch out for any signs of that any ways. thanks 66200

08-27-2003, 11:55 PM	#10
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	That was close, but not correct. The problem is that water is not compressible, so when the piston comes up, it's like having a slug in your cylinder. You do not have to have high compression to bend the rod. If there was water in the cylinder when you took the head off, it got there while you were taking the head off. If there were to be measurable amounts of water in a cylinder, it would hydrolock, and the engine would seize. __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

08-28-2003, 12:36 AM	#11
fordkid68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: fremont Posts: 306	PKRWUD- so your saying that there probly wasn't anything to worry about then. thanks ford kid

08-28-2003, 08:26 AM	#12
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Well, you blew a head gasket, so yes, there is something wrong. More than likely your head is warped. You should have it surfaced by a machine shop before you put it back on, otherwise you'll be doing this all over again before Christmas. I don't think you did any damge from the water itself. __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

08-28-2003, 05:52 PM	#13
fordkid68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: fremont Posts: 306	well I am going to take your advice and get the head resurfaced. once it comes back from the mechine shop I will install it. thanks ford kid

08-29-2003, 03:29 PM	#14
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	one other way? Unfortunately, there is another way or two water can get into the cylinders. A cracked block or head can allow water in there. It's usually a blown head gasket as everyone has said though. I cracked a block in my '53 Olds by not keeping adequate antifreeze in it during the winter. That was a lesson never forgotten. It acted just like a blown head gasket with "milk" in the crank case. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

08-29-2003, 05:56 PM	#15
fordkid68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: fremont Posts: 306	Rev- thanks for letting me know that. I will have the mechine shop take a look at them and see if they can find any cracks. thanks ford kid

08-31-2003, 06:46 AM	#16
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Rev is correct. You can usually see them though when you have the head off, but it's still worth mentioning. __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

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