Smoke/steam from dipstick?

1988 Wrangler, 4.2, after market AC, recently rebuilt motor (rebuilt in October, no miles on it, only been run a total of about 45 minutes).

I replaced the water pump and of course all the gaskets.

Had the motor rebuilt professionally in October of this year, been slowly getting it back together. Fired it up the first time about 10 days ago, and noticed some water in the oil. Shut it down, tightened the intake manifold bolts to specified torque (again), changed the oil and filter. Started it up and now notice smoke/steam from the dipstick tube, as well as from the PCV tube.

Pressure test on the cooling system shows that it will NOT hold pressure at all, that said, I did the test with the heater core connected, I will do another after bypassing the heater core tomorrow.

I am pretty much convinced that the head gasket is bad(anything can happen, even with a rebuild), it could be blow by, but with the coolant in the oil, I think not (could be wrong though, that's why I am here) but my question is this, aside from a compression test how else can I narrow down the problem?

2011-12-14T10:46:32Z

1) I am pretty comfortable with the head gasket diagnosis as well, the only other thing I have to wonder about is washdown from a leaking intake manifold

2) no rubber o rings

3) I am only 2 months into a 12 month warranty, I have talked to him a few times, that's when I went back to re torque the intake, the pressure test on the cooling system.

The engine idles excellent, sounds like the beast that it is.

Would a compression test reveal a weak or no pressure cylinder if the head gasket is shot between the cylinder and a cooling port?

2011-12-14T10:48:07Z

Regarding his responsibility, you are correct, the problem is that I have to take it back out, and take it back to him the way he gave it to me, completely stripped down. I was hoping above hope that it could possibly be something else.

2011-12-14T10:48:12Z

Regarding his responsibility, you are correct, the problem is that I have to take it back out, and take it back to him the way he gave it to me, completely stripped down. I was hoping above hope that it could possibly be something else.

2011-12-14T10:48:21Z

Regarding his responsibility, you are correct, the problem is that I have to take it back out, and take it back to him the way he gave it to me, completely stripped down. I was hoping above hope that it could possibly be something else.

silverbullet2172011-12-14T11:15:45Z

Favorite Answer

blowing out of the dipstick most of the time means high crankcase pressure caused by blow by. Blow by is bad rings/liners (cylinder walls) if it was just rebuilt he may have put rings on upside down or not off set the gaps in the rings.

ozzyistheking2011-12-14T19:26:15Z

Start it, take the dipstick out, and hold your finger over the hole. If there is ANY pressure pushing your finger away, then you more than likely have bad piston rings. I had an 88 comanche that had the same thing happen. When u rebuild an engine, or replace anything for that matter, there's always a chance of brand new parts failing.

Anonymous2011-12-14T18:33:36Z

Does your engine has removable liners with o-rings on them? In some cases they tend to leak and allow coolant to flow into the sump.

Have the cilinderhead pressurized and checked for leaks. You need to renew the head gasket anyway.

. Smith2011-12-14T18:36:18Z

contact the mechanic who did the work and he will have a list of things to check to ensure the engine is safe to run.do this before cold weather,as if there is water in the block,freezing temps.will freeze the engine resulting in severe damage.if you were given a warranty,then it is his duty to make the job right.good luck and happy motoring.

Ironball2011-12-14T18:32:36Z

You got a blown head gasket. No narrowing down about it.