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Oil in the water

Tiny
MARCUS PIPPIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 RAM 1500
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I have the truck listed above with a 5.7L Hemi engine. The first sign of an issue was when the truck cut off on me while driving. No knocking, no overheating, no check engine light, nothing. It seamed like I ran out of fuel even though I had 1/4 tank of gas. Or the throttle stalled out for some reason. I had the Truck towed to my house and started looking at it. I checked the water, and found oil in it. The oil was clean, as well as the transmission fluid. I took it to a mechanic, and they have told me multiple possible issues. They also said that they did a compression test and it came back that cylinder 4 had no compression. I have done some research and it seams like there are multiple possibilities. Can anyone give me any insight that I don't have as all of my mechanic experience comes from it being a hobby and not a career?
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Monday, April 6th, 2020 AT 5:30 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
Hi,

Did they tell you that cylinder 4 had 0 compression or was it just low? Also, is the coolant in the engine oil or is the engine oil getting into the coolant?

Just to get us started, take a look through this link. It explains how to check for a head gasket issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Interestingly, if there is only one bad cylinder, you would have felt a misfire, but it shouldn't have stalled the engine. Was there anything other you can think of that may help me better diagnose?

If there is truly no compression, either you have a valve stuck open or a hole in the piston. Even a bad head gasket will allow for some compression to build.

Let me know as much as you can think of.

Joe
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Monday, April 6th, 2020 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
MARCUS PIPPIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I just spoke to the mechanic again. He says that the whole passenger side head (cylinders 2, 4, 6, 8) has no compression. I am wondering why they missed that last week when they spoke to me. He is saying I may need to replace my engine because the one I have may not be able to be saved. I am wondering if I just need a new mechanic.
Yes, they said "no compression". There is oil in the coolant, and it stalls out. The only thing that I don't know for certain is the no compression as I was not there physically when the test was ran.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 7:44 AM
Tiny
MARCUS PIPPIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I just went up to speak with the mechanic. They said that they only checked cylinder 4 because it had the "most misfires" when they hooked it up to the computer. They said 80 misfires per cycle. Then they pulled the valve covers off and turned it over. Wouldn't the computer show the misfires for all of the heads all at once? Not just one? Something doesn't sound right from what they are telling me. They say that cams, rods, springs, etc look fine. Pistons are set properly. I could not see what's going on because they had already put the valve cover back on.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 8:41 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
Hi,

The computer will only indicate the cylinder that has a misfire. Since there is coolant in the oil and the compression on cylinder 4 is low, I suspect it needs a head gasket. Is that what they are telling you?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
MARCUS PIPPIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I just spoke with the owner of the shop. He is pushing toward a new motor installed from a salvage yard. ($2,000.00 plus labor) but he has now changed the story from no compression to very low compression. So I don't know what it is but what I do know is that he is being shady about the compression test and wouldn't give me a straight answer until he was pressed about it. I know that low compression and no compression will drastically change the way it would be diagnosed. Sorry, I started this off as just trying to figure out what was going wrong with my truck but now it is moving more towards should I find a new Mechanic.

So, symptoms so that we are all clear:
oil in radiator.
Stalls out like out of gas (or loss of airflow).
Low compression in cylinders 2, 4, 6, and 8.
Computer shows lots of misfires on cylinder 4.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
Hi,

I have to be honest, I thought it was only cyl 4. Interesting that all 4 have a misfire on the same side of the engine. I wish I knew the exact codes which were found when the computer was scanned.

As far as the low compression, in most cases that is related to a head gasket, but it isn't common for 4 of them on the same side. Two side by side is normal for a head gasket and so is the oil.

If I had to make a recommendation, I would want a second opinion from another shop. Please understand I'm not saying he is not being honest, but to just throw an engine in it is drastic.

Please feel free to let me know if you have other questions. Also, let me know what is happening (if you get the chance).

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
MARCUS PIPPIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you so much. I think that is a good idea. I will let you know what I find out from the next shop.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 7:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
If you have the chance, I would really appreciate it. I'm interested in knowing.

Good luck and stay healthy.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 7:37 PM

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