DeTomaso Mailing List: May 2001, Message #203

Dear List,

     Upon changing the oil for the first time in my new crate motor (250 
mi.), I noticed a strong smell of gasoline in the oil.  The oil did look 
darker than I expected with such short use.  The viscosity appeared normal 
for hot oil.  The carb (almost new Holley 600) was running rich so I have 
this horrible vision of scuffed pistons and scored cylinder walls.  The 
float level is a tad high (now corrected) and the PCV valve, although new, 
was allowing some leak by with slight pressure on the vacuum line (installed 
new valve).  I was using poor starting technique (pumping the accelerator 
2-3 times) before someone corrected me.
     How did the gas get in the oil?  Can I expect damage from this 
incident?  I have a 10 qt. pan, use Castrol 20-50, now have 370 mi. and have 
not yet dumped the new oil to inspect for a gas smell.  It's too hard for me 
to tell if there is gas in the oil from smelling the oil on the dipstick.

Thanks for the help,
Mark Houde
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com