I know that this is a strange question, but how much water or coolant does it take to milkshake the oil enough to turn it brown? I had a problem with my headstuds leaking and ran some K&W Block Sealer through it. I haven't checked under the valvecovers yet, but the outside studs (the ones under the headers) aren't leaking anymore. Also, the motor doesn't overheat anymore either. So far so good.

When I drained the oil, it was black as it should be, but it seemed a little watered down. The rear main seal was still leaking pretty badly too. To make a long story short, is it possible for water to get in the oil and NOT turn it brown? I'm wondering if the studs are still leaking, or if I'm just being paranoid. I'm running straight water and no coolant in the cooling system right now if that matters.

 

Hate to say this but could it possibly be your head gaskets?? Just a grim thought GOOD LUCK!!

 

I seriously doubt it's the head gaskets because:

1) They're brand new
2) There's no white smoke coming out the tailpipes
3) I've actually seen the coolant seeping out the headstuds.

 

It would take about a 1/4 cupof fluid to do it, the smaller amounts would evap out and you'd only have like your valve covers coated with the milkshake and the underside of your intake , I'm talking coated if there is a leak not a patch here or there that would normally be there from condensation.

 

So it's safe to say that since the oil is black, if I do have a leak it's minimal?

 

Pretty much, now a gasket can fail other ways as well, like compression into the crankcase etc.

 

Did you put a good quality thread sealer on the threads of the head bolts?

Make sure you don't have ANY coolant in your system until you fix the leak. Coolant in the oil will lead to a spun bearing.

 

Speaking of compression into the crankcase, I am running some BIG ring gaps because I plan on running a 300 shot of spray. Maybe the moisture I think I'm seeing in the oil is from condensation in the crankcase and the leaks are from the crankcase pressurizing as you suggested? I guess the only way to find out is to run a breather.