Valve cover condensation
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Valve cover condensation
I recently bought a '77 F150 and I'm trying to get it street legal in NH. I've been workin on the motor and when I pulled the valve covers off, it wasn't pretty. Water and oil are mixing, and it was all over the cover. So we cleaned it, put it back on, changed the oil, ran the truck, and then pulled it again, and there was condensation on the top of the valve cover.
Does anyone have an idea of how I could solve this issue? Could it be an intake manifold gasket? Head gasket? Would a compression test help in determining this problem? The motor runs real tight, other than an exhaust leak makin some noise there's not really any other raps or noises. I'm open to all suggestions.
Thanks for your help!
Does anyone have an idea of how I could solve this issue? Could it be an intake manifold gasket? Head gasket? Would a compression test help in determining this problem? The motor runs real tight, other than an exhaust leak makin some noise there's not really any other raps or noises. I'm open to all suggestions.
Thanks for your help!
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Welcome to the site.
Even though this involves a 77 is it not 73-79 related.
It is a General automotive topic.
The reason engines condensate so much is because the vehicle is being used for short trips.
The engine has to operate at normal operating temp for an allotted time to rid the engine of any water or condensation
I'll ask this be moved to the GAD forum for you.
Is there any 73-79 specific ....questions you have ?
Even though this involves a 77 is it not 73-79 related.
It is a General automotive topic.
The reason engines condensate so much is because the vehicle is being used for short trips.
The engine has to operate at normal operating temp for an allotted time to rid the engine of any water or condensation
I'll ask this be moved to the GAD forum for you.
Is there any 73-79 specific ....questions you have ?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
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From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Does your truck by chance have a 351M or 400 engine? If so you may have bigger problems.The blocks cast at Michigan casting center prior to 3-2-77 were prone to cracking in the lifter bore area.The immeadiate reoccurence of the condensation points to an internal coolant leak.Hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
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From: SD
I agree with Dennis - this sounds normal, I think you need to drive it longer. My '73 390 used to never leave town, and I had lots of milky condensation in the valve covers. Then I got a job that required 40+ miles at 65+ mph each day. After one week the condensation was gone. Now that it's back to not leaving town, I have condensation problems. Your engine has to be hot long enough to evaporate the moisture.
If you have a crack or leaky gasket, you will notice a loss of coolant.
If you have a crack or leaky gasket, you will notice a loss of coolant.
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Thanks guys, the only running that it has been doing is for short periods of time, so it's very cold blooded and only runs at operating temp for short periods of time. I thought that the motor was a 400, but underneath it yesturday we found that it wasnt the original, so I have to run the block numbers and see what the "new" one is. Thanks again and if anyone else has any more ideas let me know. I appreciate it!
