Lockdown99ss

iTrader: (1)

Is it absolutely necessary, or just recommended? I recently changed my oil before noticing a coolant leak from the front of my driver side head. I'm in the process of replacing the gaskets and have cleaned out the cylinders and bolt holes of coolant the best I could with paper towels and compressed air.

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

Might as well, $20-$30 well spent

Could have possible coolant in the oil

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

This should not even be a question, it should just be done automatically. If worried about the money use a cheap oil and change it sooner than you otherwise normally would. Cheap oils as long as they are near the recoomended weight and appropriately API rated are fine, the benefits of running "better" oils are pretty much splitting hairs and is fine if it makes you feel better. Point being you can buy whatever is on sale at the parts store or walmart and it will not do any harm, the dirt and coolant that likely got into the system will be a LOT LOT more likely to do harm.

Modis500

Mr. 96caprice had it exactly right. As you pulled the heads coolant came out and went down passages and into the oil. Even on a completely drained engine there will be remnants. The ONLY way you could reuse your clean oil would have been to drain it into a clean pan before disassembly, then put in some cheaper oil for startup for a few moments after assembly, and then change it back to your premium stuff. But most guys on here don't seem to skimp on their babies. So yes, it will need an oil change!

redtan

iTrader: (5)

That means nothing in regards to whether or not the oil got contaminated with coolant.

Can you be absolutely sure that no coolant got into the coolant passages all around the cylinders? If so then yes I guess you can skimp out on $30 worth of oil.

Otherwise I'd change the oil out, you don't even have to do the filter.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

After I have the engine open like that I actually tend to leave the drain plug out for the first quart of whatever is cheapest to try and flush debris or water from the bottom of the pan before even refilling.

Lockdown99ss

iTrader: (1)

Perfect. That answers my question!