I'm batting 1000 with my Challenger this year

[72hemi]

As many of you know I have been using my Challenger as a daily driver, and as a result have run into some problems this year. Well yesterday made for another good sized problem. I discovered water in the oil pan. I had a coolant leak at the corner of the intake and I think when I tried to patch that it forced the leak to move internal. I put about 10 miles on the car before I found the problem and there is close to a quart of water in the pan. So the car will sit for now. Guess I don't have to worry about installing a new fan on the Challenger now.

[EDGEFIND]

 

Yeah, I know that it's got to be a real bummer and sometimes it seems like it never ends but when you put it in perspective, it's over 30 years old and you drive it daily so I think you're waaaaayyy ahead of the game. You have been enjoying your ride the way you want to. At least you can or have been driving it. I know it's a lot more than what I can do with mine and I'm jealous. Also, try to realize that it's a Challenger that you're dealing with. Some of us have to waste time putting repair work and time into vehicles we don't even really care about just to use them as a daily drivers. I know stuff isn't cheap and time is usually not one's friend so I feel for you and I hope all goes well in the future. Just try to stay on the positive...after all, you have a Challenger. 

[72hemi]

I hear you. I love my Challenger and it is over 30 years old. It was a lot easier when I had a shop and could fix darn near any problem in a day (even an engine swap, usually get them done in under 8 hours start to finish). But now that I am in an apartment, working on the car is a lot more difficult. I have been thinking about my options: take a chance and just replace the intake and flush the engine, take the car up to my folks house (4 hours away) and pull down the engine inspect everything and put it back together with a new intake, rebuild my 340 at my parents house and install it, buy a commuter car and let the challenger sit, or let the Challenger sit and have my wife drive me to work and pick me up.

The more I think about it, I think my best bet is to just have my wife take me to work and pick me up, she goes to work a couple hours after I do and I can spend the time waiting for her to get off work at our fitness center at work or walk home (3.5 mile commute, which is why I got rid of my commuter car to begin with). Lots to think about, and I value everyones opinions. Also should be noted that even if I get this engine situation taken care of I still should put the power steering back in the car, replace the master cylinder, the brakes just started making noise, so pads and shoes may be in order, new front shocks are probably due, the drivers seat now has a good size tear due to wear and should be addressed, and it overheats in traffic on warm days. Most of those are just minor problems that need to be addressed in time, but more money that should be spent on the car.

I'm just tired of trying to find places to wrench on my car and a little depressed that it needs so much attention.

[426HEMI]

I dont know.  I used to keep a spare car even back in the days they were pretty new.  I would replace the intake gasket and flush the oil system if not too much water got into the oil.  Might be best for you to do that with your wife and do what you need to do with your car.  Unless you could find a real cheap car for now to drive.  If there was a lot of water in the oil it might be best to take it apart.  But I have fixed many cars with intake leaks over the years and not had any problems.  Just trying to help.  One thing most people do not think about is changing the antifreeze in there cars.  Acids from the combustion happening cause the acides to make an electrical charge in the cooling system.  The charge will eat the gaskets out.  If the intake is aluminum combinded with the cast block you have dissemilar metals and the acids make a battery so to speak.   

[72hemi]

The intake gasket is only a few weaks old, leading me to think the intake is warped, not to mention its an old Edelbrock CH4B I think. There is about a quart of water in the pan right now and when I installed the intake I put new coolant in. I appreciate all the advice. My Dad said to just flush the engine, but with the luck I have been having so far this year I would be smart to tear it apart. We'll see what happens.

[426HEMI]

The intake could be warped if that is the case.  How did you tighten it down?  Did you go from the center and work out on both sides?  Just wondered.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

John,

  Were you blowing white smoke while you drove it? If it isn't a problem with the intake, then it might be a head gasket. Either way, water and oil don't mix.     Sorry about your trouble.


  Mike

[72hemi]

We tightened the intake from the center out in a cross pattern to make sure it pulled down evenly. I'm not blowing any white smoke. I'm pretty certain it's the intake.