Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

?
Lv 6

Appears to be water in the engine oil, what would be the causes?

The engine oil has a yellowish tint and while it is idling water drips from the tail pipe. My 1st thought is a cracked block, any other reasons for this?

6 Answers

Relevance
  • Anonymous
    10 months ago
    Favorite Answer

    The tinted liquid is almost certainly anti-freeze/coolant.  The cause is almost always a bad cylinder head gasket.  It's possible, but rather unlikely, that a head or the engine block is cracked.  This is a costly, most-of-day repair in modern cars, but thankfully a LOT cheaper than cracks in the head or block would be.    

  • Phil M
    Lv 7
    10 months ago

    Oil turns gray when water gets in, not yellow. All cars drip water from the tail pipe occasionally.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    10 months ago

    If there's coolant in your oil the oil would appear milky. Water dripping from the tailpipe is normal. Is your coolant disappearing? That would be a sign of a bad gasket or cracked head or block.

  • Anonymous
    10 months ago

    With respect you are overthinking this. Water from the tail pipe is normal. It's just condensate from the products of combustion. Water in the oil is usually evidenced by a creamy deposit in the valve cover and it's filler cap. Clean oil has a yellow tint so there is no water present. Even if there were it would burn off as soon as you drove the car a mile. So in my estimation there is nothing wrong with your car. Happy motoring!

  • Anonymous
    10 months ago

    Cracked block or head(s) possible, but more likely "just" a bad head gasket . . . . . . 

  • ?
    Lv 5
    10 months ago

    Water dripping from the exhaust is normal, it's a product of combustion. A yellowish tint in the oil - that's what all clean oil looks like, if it's cloudy you have something to worry about.

    Without mention of yr, make, model, mileage or problem history it is impossible to even guess what the cause could be if there is even a problem.

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.