Hi guys...Newbie here ..
got this mondeo manual wth Zetec E engine...from a Frnd, he parked t due to alternator trouble
it starts and runs, but noticed grey engine oil wth a petrol smell..when I unplugged the oil sump...
what could be the problem???
any ideas, suggestions and hints pleasemuch appreciated

 

Usually grey motor oil (soup) is indicative of coolant mixed with the motor oil.
Now the problem is to determine how the coolant/water is getting into the oil.
If coolant level drops , good chance a possible head gasket problem. Coolant can also get into the oil if the intake manifold gaskets are leaking and allowing coolant to leak into the engine that way and show no type of overheating problem. A cooling system pressure tester (can be rented from most auto supply stores) pumped up to no more than 15 lbs pressure will drop down if there are any leaks in the cooling system and would confirm .

 

Also, best to pressure test the cooling system when cold and hot as some leaks don't show themselves until the engine is at NORMAL operating temp.

 

Good point ! Some only leak when cold and stop when warmer and everything expands.

 

Forgot to add...

If it's a coolant leak, you definitely want to get that taken care of ASAP. Antifreeze can and will react with the additives in the oil and turn the oil to a grease like substance with no warning thus trashing your engine

 

Or cylinder comes off alone?Thnx guys. i noticed its overheating, actually boiling..my guess is Cooling system and it culminates to head Gaskets,intake too...am I right
However the petrol smell...is it coolant still or smthng z awry somewhere
have not found a good ford expert here, so its pretty DIY and some general mechanic that Knows something, if any has done this what will this entail? Tempering with timing?

 

what would be the key things to sort out in this case? Is it pump? Radiator, gaskets? Thermostat?,

 

Haven't done one of these, so , cannot quote from actual experience on 2.0.
Mileage will have some bearing on just how involved you might get on this.
We do know the oil system has to be cleaned out to get most of the contaminated oil out, and an extra oil & filter change are in the future.
A lot also depends on monies available , but would be a good move to consider replacing timing belt, thermostat, water pump when engine is opened up.
Many times when an engine overheats the heads get warped and that should be checked before buying other parts if funds are limited.
The only way to know for sure is to open it up and check as you go.
If you are considering doing the work yourself, you will require some special tools and ,please mark the cam gears and other gears so it can be assembled "EXACTLY" as it was before. One tooth off can make a drastic difference in performance , and nobody likes doing the job over again.