LQ4 Brown Oil
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: O'Fallon, MO
LQ4 Brown Oil 
I have this used 6.0 LS motor in my 55 Chevy project truck. The engine ran good and smooth when I installed it. The truck has been sitting with the motor out on a stand for several months. I just drained the oil and it is the dreaded brown color.
I am considering a rebuild depending on the state of the internals, or was looking at long blocks. Is there a specific vendor that puts out a decent product? I kind of want to stay in the gen III family as I already have an LS6 intake and the 24X pcm for this.
I've seen long block 6.0's for around $3000.00.
Last edited by clegg; Feb 16, 2019 at 09:02 AM. Reason: added pic
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,291
Likes: 3,616
From: Central Cal.
Get one from a junkyard. These engines go 200k miles before getting even close to worn out. Many at that mileage still have cross hatching on the cylinder walls.
But if you choose to rebuild, call WS6 store for an overhaul kit. They'll configure it to what you want at a good price and great service. They are a vendor/sponsor here.
BTW, brown oil just means you might need to replace the head gaskets.
But if you choose to rebuild, call WS6 store for an overhaul kit. They'll configure it to what you want at a good price and great service. They are a vendor/sponsor here.
BTW, brown oil just means you might need to replace the head gaskets.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: O'Fallon, MO
I've attached a pic of the oil on my first post. It's more brown than I usually see when changing oil. I have changed ALOT of oil from cars to motorcycles. As soon as I removed the drain plug, I noticed the unusual color.
Maybe from short starts and sitting long?
I sourced the LQ4 from craigslist and mocked it up in my hot rod truck. It was driven a few times to assess the engine and chassis, not long distances and now sitting as I have torn the truck down for a pro tour build.
Maybe from short starts and sitting long?
I sourced the LQ4 from craigslist and mocked it up in my hot rod truck. It was driven a few times to assess the engine and chassis, not long distances and now sitting as I have torn the truck down for a pro tour build.
Last edited by clegg; Feb 16, 2019 at 09:34 AM.
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TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 53
From: Winter Haven FL
I've had that from letting a car sit for weeks and then only driving it a few miles at a time. The condensation builds up and the engine doesn't get hot enough to burn it off. It would only happen to me in the winter when the temps were really cold though. An oil and filter change and more driving time would fix it.
Not sure if you have the same thing going on, but it's definitely possible.
Not sure if you have the same thing going on, but it's definitely possible.
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Verdad Gallardo Much better picture, defiantly looks like it has some moisture in it but not much, if it were mine Id just run it as is and not let it sit so long without a good heat cycle to burn off any condensation that accumulates.
I live in the humid south and if I let an engine sit for a few years sealed up in the garage it will sweat enough inside to even drain a slight amount of water.
Edit: to slow bammax beat me too it! Lol
I live in the humid south and if I let an engine sit for a few years sealed up in the garage it will sweat enough inside to even drain a slight amount of water.
Edit: to slow bammax beat me too it! Lol
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: O'Fallon, MO
Thanks for the input guys! I drained this at midnight last night and was so worried that I couldn't get to sleep until 3 am. LOL
Come to think of it, I have been occasionally heating my garage with a propane heater. Those add a lot of moisture to the air and seems to prematurely rust tools.
I am in the St Louis area and it has been cooooold.
Come to think of it, I have been occasionally heating my garage with a propane heater. Those add a lot of moisture to the air and seems to prematurely rust tools.
I am in the St Louis area and it has been cooooold.
