Does the Engine Need Overhaul if Antifreeze Enters It?
3 Answers
Does the engine need overhaul if antifreeze enters it? Generally, antifreeze enters the engine mainly along with the engine oil. When antifreeze mixes with engine oil, it causes an emulsification reaction. Once the engine oil emulsifies, it can no longer effectively protect the engine and may lead to cylinder scoring. What is Antifreeze: The full name of antifreeze should be antifreeze coolant, meaning it is a coolant with antifreeze properties. Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing and expanding in cold winter conditions, which could otherwise crack the radiator or damage the engine block or cylinder head. The Role of Antifreeze: Antifreeze is a type of coolant with special additives, primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It offers excellent properties such as preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and resisting scale and corrosion year-round. Composition of Antifreeze: The main components of antifreeze are 50% pure water, 40% methanol, and 10% other substances.
Last time my neighbor's car had the same issue, coolant entering the engine is definitely not a minor problem. This usually happens because of a blown head gasket or a cracked engine block, allowing coolant to leak into the combustion chamber or oil pan. If left untreated, the engine condition will deteriorate rapidly: first, the engine oil emulsifies and turns into a butter-like substance, then insufficient lubrication causes accelerated wear on components, and eventually, it may lead to cylinder scoring or even engine seizure. At this point, if you keep driving, you'll notice white smoke and a significant loss of power. My advice is to shut off the engine immediately, call for a tow truck, and inspect the extent of the damage. Repairing the head gasket might cost around a thousand bucks, but if the crankshaft bearings are rusted, you're looking at a full engine rebuild. Don't gamble with it—skipping small repairs now could cost you tens of thousands later!
I've been into cars for over a decade, and it's quite common to encounter coolant mixing with engine oil. This issue usually starts with fluctuating water temperatures, and when you unscrew the oil cap, you'll find a milky, paste-like substance. If you continue driving, the engine is bound to suffer serious damage within 500 kilometers—stuck piston rings and bearing wear are just the minor issues. The key is to identify the leak source: it could be loose cylinder head bolts, casting defects in the engine block, or leaks in the heater core. To fix it, you need to drain all the oil, flush the entire lubrication system, and replace the faulty seals. If not addressed thoroughly, the new oil will emulsify again within three days, and at that point, you'll have no choice but to disassemble the engine for a major overhaul.
