What is the method for handling water ingress in diesel engine oil?
2 Answers
Diesel engine oil water ingress treatment methods are: 1. Immediately shut down the motor unit; 2. Position the engine oil pan drain at a low point and rotate to remove the drain plug. Diesel is a light petroleum product consisting of complex hydrocarbon mixtures, commonly used as fuel for diesel engines. Diesel engines are categorized into: 1. Spark-ignition engines: Gasoline engines inject fuel into the intake manifold, mixing with air to form a combustible mixture that enters the cylinder and is ignited by spark plugs for combustion and expansion work; 2. Compression-ignition engines: Diesel engines directly inject diesel into the engine cylinder via the injection pump and nozzle, where it mixes uniformly with compressed air in the cylinder and spontaneously ignites under high temperature and pressure to push the piston and perform work.
I've been maintaining diesel engines for many years. The most common cause of water mixing with engine oil is a damaged cylinder head gasket or a cracked cylinder head allowing coolant to seep in. Once you notice the oil turning milky or becoming viscous, immediately shut off the engine and stop the vehicle. Avoid touching the throttle, as water corrosion can rapidly damage the crankshaft and pistons. The next step is to completely drain the contaminated oil and inspect the source—use compressed air to dry the oil pan and observe the leakage point. If the cylinder head gasket is broken, replace it; if the cylinder head is cracked, it needs to be welded or replaced. After addressing the issue, ensure the oil passages are thoroughly flushed, then refill with fresh oil and replace the oil filter. Finally, test the engine to ensure it runs normally. Regularly check the cooling system pressure and oil condition every quarter to prevent overheating issues from recurring, as an engine overhaul can be quite costly.
