Water in engine bay

Camerxn

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Jan 6, 2024
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Georgia
Every time it rains the engine bay gets wet. I keep finding water in the engine oil as a result of this i’m not sure what to replace so this doesn’t happen again
 
Every time it rains the engine bay gets wet. I keep finding water in the engine oil as a result of this i’m not sure what to replace so this doesn’t happen again

Welcome to the TJ Forum.

Check the top of your firewall at the front edge of your cowl panel to see if the seal to the hood is still there, otherwise rain will just pour in the the rear of your hood.

There are Factory Manuals available to download for free in the Resource section, they will show the seal locations.
 
This is my question as well.

You have a couple places water could get in, the fresh air hose at the back of the valve cover (replace grommet), the oil cap (check or replace seal or cap), the dipstick ( make sure the dipstick is in place). Beyond those items I would start looking for coolant getting into the oil.
 
Every time it rains the engine bay gets wet. I keep finding water in the engine oil as a result of this i’m not sure what to replace so this doesn’t happen again

Your engine getting wet is not an issue, water in your engine oil is.

The engine bay is completely open from the underside. Drive thru some puddles and your engine bay will also be wet.

How the water is getting into your motor is an issue. Are you sure you don’t have a cracked head or bad head gasket allowing coolant into your crankcase?
 
Your engine getting wet is not an issue, water in your engine oil is.

The engine bay is completely open from the underside. Drive thru some puddles and your engine bay will also be wet.

How the water is getting into your motor is an issue. Are you sure you don’t have a cracked head or bad head gasket allowing coolant into your crankcase?
X2! 👆
 
Your engine getting wet is not an issue, water in your engine oil is.

The engine bay is completely open from the underside. Drive thru some puddles and your engine bay will also be wet.

How the water is getting into your motor is an issue. Are you sure you don’t have a cracked head or bad head gasket allowing coolant into your crankcase?

I know the head gasket is okay since the coolant levels look fine as well as the overflow tank is at the correct level. I’m pretty sure it’s getting through the vent, i got my light bar installed. They used the vent and it didn’t sit flush so the water would come in through the top. thats at least my best guess. But like you said it should be able to get water without it getting in the oil so i’m not sure what to replace for that.
 
I know the head gasket is okay since the coolant levels look fine as well as the overflow tank is at the correct level. I’m pretty sure it’s getting through the vent, i got my light bar installed. They used the vent and it didn’t sit flush so the water would come in through the top. thats at least my best guess. But like you said it should be able to get water without it getting in the oil so i’m not sure what to replace for that.

For peace of mind, get a head gasket tester. You put it in your coolant reservoir and it will test for exhaust gases. Water in the engine oil is not a good sign, and it's worth the $10 test kit. If you have multiple breaks, one being combustion chamber to coolant jacket, then you know. I had to find that out the hard way on a small block 350 a couple years ago.
 
I know the head gasket is okay since the coolant levels look fine as well as the overflow tank is at the correct level. I’m pretty sure it’s getting through the vent, i got my light bar installed. They used the vent and it didn’t sit flush so the water would come in through the top. thats at least my best guess. But like you said it should be able to get water without it getting in the oil so i’m not sure what to replace for that.

Why do you think you you have water in your oil?
 
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I think you / they used too long of a drill bit when installing the light bar and drilled right into the valve cover !

no we didn’t drill any holes😂 just the little piece under the vent wasn’t flush i know thought of it til the first comment
 
You have a couple places water could get in, the fresh air hose at the back of the valve cover (replace grommet), the oil cap (check or replace seal or cap), the dipstick ( make sure the dipstick is in place). Beyond those items I would start looking for coolant getting into the oil.

i just replaced the grommet oil cap is next, the grommet was so lose i could literally tap it and it fall out. Head gasket should be fine at least im hoping from seeing the radiator being full at where it should be
 
OK I have the answer. you have a cracked block. when it rains the water is making it's way down the firewall trickling down the edge of the head and flowing right into the crack in the block !