LQ4 Brown Oil
02-16-2019, 12:55 AM
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
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; 02-16-2019 at 09:02 AM. Reason: added pic
02-16-2019, 01:08 AM
#2
TECH Senior Member
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.
02-16-2019, 08:39 AM
#4
ModSquad
iTrader: (6)
You talking milkshake brown, or just dirty brown? All engine oil turns brown after several hundred miles, just from contaminates. Throw up a picture.
02-16-2019, 09:07 AM
#5
Teching In
Thread Starter
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; 02-16-2019 at 09:34 AM.
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02-16-2019, 10:28 AM
#8
TECH Resident
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.
02-16-2019, 10:28 AM
#9
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
02-16-2019, 10:38 AM
#10
Teching In
Thread Starter
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.
