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Mystery liquid

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bryon
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Mystery liquid

Postby bryon » Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:10 am

I finally had some time to work on my '48 cub. She's been in the family for decades, but has not run for close to 20 years. She currently has a seized engine, which I am working on troubleshooting.

The first step I did was remove the plugs. I then let her sit with Kroil in her to help free her up. She sat like that for a couple of months.

I was able to work on her a couple of weeks ago. I managed to get the hood off and I wanted to see what type of shape the head gasket and pistons were in. I also wanted to give her a good soaking of penetrating oil since she was still frozen.

I was very surprised to find a mystery fluid in each cylinder. Anyone know what the green stuff is?

Image

Here is a closeup:
Image

Kroil is more of a red color, so I know it is not that.

Besides identifying the mystery liquid, I am also wondering what I need to look at to see if I need to replace the head gasket or not. I am assuming it would be fine after a thorough cleaning. Thoughts?

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Slim140
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Slim140 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:17 am

Looks like kool-aid to me but I wouldn't dare drink it. 2 drops will stop your heart.
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Jim Becker
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Jim Becker » Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:35 am

Anti-freeze. Did you drain the radiator before you loosened the head?

tst
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby tst » Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:40 am

those are the most encrusted valves ever, #4 cylinder you cannot even see that it has any, probably why the engine is seized, valves are probably frozen

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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Urbish » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:01 am

I wouldn't order a head gasket until you can get the engine unstuck. Given what you're seeing, I'd pull the tappet cover and oil pan as well. Make sure you drain the oil first. Don't buy parts until you know what you have.
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Eugene » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:02 am

Drain the antifreeze, mop up the coolant in each cylinder.

From looking at the valves, I would pull the engine, put on bench or engine stand, disassemble, measure and inspect. If mine, I would do a major overhaul.
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Urbish
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Urbish » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:03 am

Also, since oil floats on water, you're gonna want to get the coolant out of those cylinders and get them dried out before you apply any more kroil.
Jim

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bryon
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby bryon » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:06 am

Jim Becker wrote:Anti-freeze. Did you drain the radiator before you loosened the head?


The radiator was dry. I did hear that sometimes people purposely add anti-freeze to the cylinders when it is known that it would sit for a very long time, but I have no idea if that is true or not.

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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Slim140 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:11 am

bryon wrote:
Jim Becker wrote:Anti-freeze. Did you drain the radiator before you loosened the head?


The radiator was dry. I did hear that sometimes people purposely add anti-freeze to the cylinders when it is known that it would sit for a very long time, but I have no idea if that is true or not.

You have a blockage on the bottom of the block or the hose somewhere then, if the radiator is dry there shouldn't be anti-freeze in the water passages beside the valves. Do you have the radiator off or did you just look inside from the top and can't see it? If you can't see it then it's probably just low since the block is full.
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bryon
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby bryon » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:21 am

Chipmaker wrote:
bryon wrote:
Jim Becker wrote:Anti-freeze. Did you drain the radiator before you loosened the head?


The radiator was dry. I did hear that sometimes people purposely add anti-freeze to the cylinders when it is known that it would sit for a very long time, but I have no idea if that is true or not.

You have a blockage on the bottom of the block or the hose somewhere then, if the radiator is dry there shouldn't be anti-freeze in the water passages beside the valves. Do you have the radiator off or did you just look inside from the top and can't see it? If you can't see it then it's probably just low since the block is full.


I'll admit that I did just look in. I'll look at what I need to do to thoroughly drain it the next time I work on her.

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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Slim140 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:24 am

The drain for the anti-freeze is on the bottom of the radiator housing.
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Jim Becker » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:26 am

Chipmaker wrote:. . . look inside from the top and can't see it? . . .

By the way, that description fits even with a properly filled cooling system. Normal coolant level is below the baffle in the top of the radiator. You have to look to the side of it to see coolant.

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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Slim140 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:41 am

Jim Becker wrote:
Chipmaker wrote:. . . look inside from the top and can't see it? . . .

By the way, that description fits even with a properly filled cooling system. Normal coolant level is below the baffle in the top of the radiator. You have to look to the side of it to see coolant.

Yes sir Jim and if you fill it to the bottom of the neck the first time you drive it it's gonna look like you have a massive leak when it gets warm, ask me how I know :lol:
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Eugene » Fri Jul 21, 2017 12:06 pm

bryon wrote:
Jim Becker wrote:Anti-freeze. Did you drain the radiator before you loosened the head?


The radiator was dry. I did hear that sometimes people purposely add anti-freeze to the cylinders when it is known that it would sit for a very long time, but I have no idea if that is true or not.
You have antifreeze in the block's coolant passages and in the head bolt holes. So, coolant not drained.
I have an excuse. CRS.

Jim Becker
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Re: Mystery liquid

Postby Jim Becker » Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:57 pm

Chipmaker wrote:
Jim Becker wrote:
Chipmaker wrote:. . . look inside from the top and can't see it? . . .

By the way, that description fits even with a properly filled cooling system. Normal coolant level is below the baffle in the top of the radiator. You have to look to the side of it to see coolant.

Yes sir Jim and if you fill it to the bottom of the neck the first time you drive it it's gonna look like you have a massive leak when it gets warm, ask me how I know :lol:

Which most people seem to interpret as overheating.


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