Ask Your Stickiest Question. . . Or ask us something you’ve always wanted to know about using our products. We’ll sort through all the submissions and present the best questions to our automotive experts. We'll share the questions and their answers here.
Question:
Getting Water Out of Engine Oil
I forgot to put the oil cap on and water got in the engine. How can I fix it or get the water out?
-- John Smith, Hobart, IN
Answer:
It depends on how much water is in the system. Minor amounts of water will be driven off if the vehicle is operated at sustained high operating temperatures. But if there is excess water in the fluid, lubrication can be compromised and engine damage can occur. If the oil looks milky or is separated in layers then you probably have excessive water in the oil. In this case changing the oil makes sense.
