Is there any chance that water can mix with oil in the oil seperator? 172 F4R

[c7borg]

I know I'm clutching at straws but is there any water passing through the oil seperator channels if the gasket is not sealed properley? - Just before I take the head off http://www.cliosport.net/forum/images/smilies/smiley5.gif

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/c7borg/th_oil-seperator.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/c7borg/?action=view&current=oil-seperator.jpg)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/c7borg/th_oil-seperator2.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/c7borg/?action=view&current=oil-seperator2.jpg)

Any help appreciated

[Tony Walker]

pretty sure oil and water flow through the housing on the side of the head. doubt it through the top breather section tho :(

[Rob@Backyardracing]

Cant comment 100% on these motors but some other cars do have water running through oil separators. If this was your case you need to take a step back and look at whats mixing with what. If the Oil sep has failed your coolant level will drop but stay clear of oil in most cases, but with the water going in to the oil breather system giving you mayo in oil..

So if your mixing, whats mixing with what..

[Adey aka Ewok]

ive just this eve taken the same part off to block the small hole in it, i cant see how or why water would be in there. are you loosing any water or oil? could just be moisture getting in and not being burnt off if the cars not run often?

[Ashy]

ive just this eve taken the same part off to block the small hole in it, i cant see how or why water would be in there.

Nah deffo no water in there mate... Sounds like a H/G problem, but its strange as they are fairly bullet proof... Mine spat the belt off on the hairpin at Mallory and by the end of the pit straight I had steam poring into the cabin. Managed to pull over and get a new belt but even though the water temp went off the chart it didn't damage the head or gasket.

[Tony Walker]

I agree with above, never had to do a headgasket on one of these..... countless snapped belts and hundereds of bent valves but never a headgasket, do you have cooling issues? The housing on the passenger side of the head cools/warms oil in the head, worth checking this but ive not seen one of these mix before, but nothings impossible. Fingers crossed.