Coolant in Oil - What Now?

[swathdiver]

862's are supposedly good, but don't count your chickens till they hatch, err....crack. I have 862's on my '04 Tahoe 5.3 and they're showing signs of being cracked. Just got an oil analysis sample results back and I have water and coolant in the engine oil. I have to add water/coolant every week. It is now causing increased bearing wear due to water in the oil. I thought I was in the clear with 862's in reading they're typically better, but that is not always the case. Now looking for a good pair of 862's or other less expensive fix for my 275k mileage Tahoe. A full rebuild is out of the budget, especially given the cost of it vs. the value of a high mileage 04 Tahoe. It's really a bummer because the rest of the Tahoe is in decent shape, other than needing a front sup & steering rebuild.

Drop in an L33, it's basically a Gen IV motor for the GMT800 Gen III trucks. 243 heads, aluminum block, 310 HP.

 

[Justinj360]

862's are supposedly good, but don't count your chickens till they hatch, err....crack. I have 862's on my '04 Tahoe 5.3 and they're showing signs of being cracked. Just got an oil analysis sample results back and I have water and coolant in the engine oil. I have to add water/coolant every week. It is now causing increased bearing wear due to water in the oil. I thought I was in the clear with 862's in reading they're typically better, but that is not always the case. Now looking for a good pair of 862's or other less expensive fix for my 275k mileage Tahoe. A full rebuild is out of the budget, especially given the cost of it vs. the value of a high mileage 04 Tahoe. It's really a bummer because the rest of the Tahoe is in decent shape, other than needing a front sup & steering rebuild.

So how do you determine if they're cracked?

 

[Justinj360]

Drop in an L33, it's basically a Gen IV motor for the GMT800 Gen III trucks. 243 heads, aluminum block, 310 HP.

I hadn't heard of that before but I just looked into it and it seems pretty sweet! I'm guessing they're more expensive than my L59 though?

 

[SnowDrifter]

So how do you determine if they're cracked?

Visual inspection. Pull off valve covers, rocker arms. Pressurize the cooling system, they like to crack around the pushrod tubes

 

[Justinj360]

Visual inspection. Pull off valve covers, rocker arms. Pressurize the cooling system, they like to crack around the pushrod tubes

I'll have the dealer do that if they will.

 

[mattt]

Drop in an L33, it's basically a Gen IV motor for the GMT800 Gen III trucks. 243 heads, aluminum block, 310 HP.

I like the idea, but what is the cost to find one of those given their scarcity? I'd bet the take out engine cost would be close to the value of a high mile 2004 Tahoe Z71???? According to what I read, it only was offered in 05-07 1500 Ext Cab 4wd trucks.


I would assume since it is GMT800 that the ECU and harness would be a direct drop on, but have to look at that too. Interesting little 5.3 nonetheless....

 

[mattt]

Drop in an L33, it's basically a Gen IV motor for the GMT800 Gen III trucks. 243 heads, aluminum block, 310 HP.

Is that the engine that came in trucks with the VortecMax emblem?

 

[swathdiver]

I hadn't heard of that before but I just looked into it and it seems pretty sweet! I'm guessing they're more expensive than my L59 though?

I like the idea, but what is the cost to find one of those given their scarcity? I'd bet the take out engine cost would be close to the value of a high mile 2004 Tahoe Z71???? According to what I read, it only was offered in 05-07 1500 Ext Cab 4wd trucks.


I would assume since it is GMT800 that the ECU and harness would be a direct drop on, but have to look at that too. Interesting little 5.3 nonetheless....

Just have to see what the market price is in your area. If it doesn't make sense, stick with the L59.

Is that the engine that came in trucks with the VortecMax emblem?

Vortec Max is the 6.0 LQ9. L33 is called Vortec 5300 **.

 

[Larryjb]

Mine say 862. What does that mean?

I have 862's and the passenger side is cracked. Check out post # 31 here:

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/latest-oil-change-oil-filters.99646/page-4#post-1252318

 

[Justinj360]

I have 862's and the passenger side is cracked. Check out post # 31 here:

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/latest-oil-change-oil-filters.99646/page-4#post-1252318

That's good info, thank you. I'm getting really worried about mine though.. What causes the heads to crack? Just normal driving?

 

[swathdiver]

That's good info, thank you. I'm getting really worried about mine though.. What causes the heads to crack? Just normal driving?

Lots of things, but for these it basically comes down to design.

 

[Justinj360]

Alright finally made some progress today. Replaced the intake manifold gaskets and the valley cover plate gasket. I just have to put the fuel rails and injectors and the throttle body back tomorrow. I have new gaskets for the valve covers but I figured the dealer would check in there anyway for cracks so I'll let them change them. I'm taking the truck there on Wednesday for a check up. Let me know if anything jumps out at you.

 

[Justinj360]

Continued.

 

[Justinj360]

Also, found what must have been a bird's bone next to the intake manifold. Time for mouse poison...

 

[SnowDrifter]

There's not much into to be gleaned from the intake side of things. These trucks have a dry system, coolant doesn't interact with any of the intake gaskets

 

[Justinj360]

There's not much into to be gleaned from the intake side of things. These trucks have a dry system, coolant doesn't interact with any of the intake gaskets

Wait what are you saying?

 

[Larryjb]

How did you reach and torque down the cylinder head bolts, especially the rear ones?

I had a heck of a time getting to them just to remove them. My extension bar was either too short so that my ratchet wouldn't swing over the top of the head, or it was too long and I couldn't fit it between the fire wall and the bolt. In the end, I did get it but there was no way I'd ever get a torque angle guage on it.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Wait what are you saying?

Nothing jumps out at me

 

[swathdiver]

Did you pull the heads or just do intake gaskets?

 

[Justinj360]

I just did intake gaskets. Those can leak coolant right?