What is the best way to deal with this problem?

Replace the engine?

Do the head gasket and hope it is not a cracked block.

Sell it to someone else? Then buy a different truck.

I could just find a different truck and use this one for parts. My wife will hate me if try to do that though. She already told me I can't have more then one truck in the yard and if you could see my yard you would understand. We have a small yard because we live downtown.

If you say replace the engine, how much do you think it would cost to get it done at a shop. I do not have the time or a good place to work on this myself.

 

It depends. Why is the water there? What's wrong with it?

 

It has no problems. Runs good and has all of the power you can get from a stock 300 I6. I am shocked that it is there. I thought the oil looked a little milky at the last oil change but wasn't sure. I have been watching it and now I found some ice in the oil. There was a little on the dipstick and the bottom of the pcv was pretty frozen, almost completely covered in ice crystals.

 

Id check compression and hope its a head gasket its an easy fix and doesnt cost much

 

To add on to 96ford250's post, when / if you pull the head off of the motor, take it in to a machine shop and check to see if the head is warped, or cracked. Some extra money out of pocket, but may as well spend it at this time. Also check the block... I have found some cracks with a magnifying glass looking over the surface. Good luck!

 

I'm curious about the ice in your oil statement.. Acording to your profile, it says you live in MI... Do you have antifreeze in your truck engine? If so how did it sift the antifreeze out and just let the water go into the oil??.. Because the coolant wouldn't freeze in the oil if it won't freeze in the radiator....


Do you do a lot of short trip driving? If so what you might have is condensation in the oil.... Possibly this combined with PCV valve or it's vacuum line defective/stopped up/unhooked and NOT pulling the vapors out of the engine in the first place...

 

All of the driving is short trip. 3.1 miles to work and back and about the same to school and back. I was curious about the ice too. My antifreeze is good and always has been. Should I take it for a long drive and see if it clears it up?

 

I think I would make sure the PCV is working like it should , then take it for a nice ride to get it completely warmed up,,,

one trip might not be enough to remove all the moisture, but 3 +/- miles at a time are gonna make a LOT of condensation...

If your coolant level is staying where it should I don't think I would be TOO concerned, just try to get it warmed up more often...

 

I agree with White. If you're coolant level isn't changing, take that thing out for some long drives every once in awhile. My tractor does the same thing if I don't use it very long.

 

I agree. If all the levels are constant, drive it. Get it up to operating temperature and go drive for 20 minutes.

 

what temp of thermostat do you have ? if you drive very short distance might want to put a piece of cardboard over the radiator to help warm it up ! might also think about a block heater or a heater that goes on the oil pan to keep the oil warmed !

 

The thermostat is the standard 195* thremostat. I will take it for a nice drive today. It is getting a little warmer out today and I might make trip out to the junkyard.