Smoke from oil fill, losing coolant...

[DennisG01]

Well, I received a pleasantly surprising call last night. I had emailed Ronnie to ask if he had any insight into this problem and could also offer some suggestions, just as all of you have kindly been doing. Instead of just offering suggestions, he said that he'd like to have the engine back so he could fix it. He offered to cover the labor if I picked up the tab for the parts, with the initial thinking of it being head gaskets. He did mention the studs as a possibility, but mentioned that he'd be surprised if it was them given how he installed/sealed them.

I'm 7 years and 50K miles into owning this engine - way, WAY past any type of warranty. I can't tell you how astonished my wife and I were that he offered that! I would call this 'above and beyond the call of duty'! I knew when I initially bought this engine that I as dealing with a true gentleman, but this was extremely unexpected. We hear stories all the time of shysters and dishonest businessmen. It's nice to see that there's a flip side to that coin. Thank you, Mr. Schoolcraft.

[john8662]

Sounds like a gentleman indeed.

Would he let you remove the valve covers to check for head stud leaks?

They'll have to come off for head removal anyways, and at least this way you have the option of repairing verses all the R&R fun.

Either way, We'll be interested in knowing the root cause.

Me personally, I've had so much problem with leaking head studs that I don't consider them a viable option on these engines any more. I won't install them in custom engines I build for customers due to the uncertainty I have in them sealing. I don't know of a sure-fire way to keep them sealed long-term. I also have not seen any improvement in head gasket life in high performance applications with the studs either. There is a high tensile strength bolt option available now to replace the TTY bolts, this might be worth checking. The TTY/Factory bolts are also just fine IMHO.

Just my .02

I don't fault Ron for the leak in the engine, kind of the nature of the beast with some of these components.

I know he builds a fine engine and has top notch machining as well.

John

[DennisG01]

Hi John - he probably would and I can ask him.

[Scooby]

I am having a missing coolant issue of my own, and was wondering what you have found.

[DennisG01]

I am having a missing coolant issue of my own, and was wondering what you have found.

Ron Schoolcraft has some ideas that he wants to look at. He's just been busy and with a third car (although that one is starting to act up a little!), I haven't been in a rush.

Get an oil test kit (local CAT dealer or Blackstone Oil Labs, for example) and send that in. That'll tell you if the coolant is ending up in the oil, anyways. There's a bunch of good suggestions/ideas/thoughts throughout this thread. Try some of those suggestions, too.