Oil additives to protect an engine that leaks gas into the oil?

Question

I bought a beat up 4x4 nissan pickup with the VG30I 3.0 v6 engine for hunting and offroading. Truck runs great, but ive noticed that the dipstick smells like gas, which indicates gas is seeping into the oil. The main probable causes are leaking fuel injectors, which are $290 EACH for some reason or the fuel pressure regulator, which is $150. I dont want to invest this much money on it, so i just want to protect the engine from wear and tear from mixed oil. Is there a good thick additive i can add for viscocity? or should i put in thicker oil like 40W?

Answer 1

Old lube oil often smells like gas. The big test is whether the oil LEVEL rises over time. If it does, you certainly have a serious problem, as the gas CAN ignite under some circumstances.

I have only known 1 case in my life of gas in oil. Its cause was a leaky diaphragm in its old mechanical fuel pump. They are long gone.

If you believe injectors are leaking, find the connection to the fuel pump and disconnect it before stopping the engine, allow the engine to stop when the fuel pressure drops off. That should alleviate any fuel getting into the oil. If the oil level doesn't rise, even if the oil smells gassy, I think you are jumping to conclusions.

I am assuming there is all cylinders working when the engine is running, and no serious loss of compression due to broken rings/ pistons etc.

Answer 2

You may not have a gas leak issue if the system holds pressure ...test system pressure if needed and check for leaks at the reg or vacuum hose attached to it....there is always a small amount of blowby past the rings which can cause some gas vapors to get into the oil pan during the compression stroke. You may smell some gas odors on the dipstick but it's not enough to cause issues if you change oil regularly...or sooner/more often. If possible and you feel it's warranted, have the injectors cleaned professionally by a shop which can remove the injectors, test for proper spray patterns and run some special cleaner through them.... a lot cheaper than new ones. Or a shop can use a pressurized cleaning system to clean injectors on the vehicle...the system hooks up to the fuel rail and just runs pressurized cleaning fluid through with engine running....some parts stores also sell such kits.

Answer 3

Pull the dipstick out and try to light it. If there really is gas in the oil the dipstick will ignite. If it won't ignite there is no gas in the oil. Oil will not burn on the dipstick just by trying to light it with a BIC. Any additive to "thicken oil" won't stop diluted oil from trashing the rod and main bearings. It will mess up the lifters and plug up the oil screen on the oil pump. If there is gas in the oil count on the motor failing because the only thing to do is fix the problem. If injectors are leaking the motor will be really hard to start after sitting overnight. Pull the spark plugs to see if they are wet. It may only be one injector leaking. If you have misfires that's the other way gasoline gets in the oil. The cylinder walls will wear from being washed down too. Either fix it right or change the oil every 500 miles. You'll not be getting many more miles on the vehicle from the sound of it.

Answer 4

Just change the oil at 3,000 miles should be ok with the fuel in the system. Adding that other crap isnt going to do anything unless you add Lucas which is pretty much thick as honey which could raise the thickness of the oil



But the money you spent on oil changes & additives, it may have been cheaper to diagnose & fix the issue. Running rich from exhaust, aftermarket crap added to an engine, O2 sensors or other sensors can cause a fuel smell from dipstick. PCV clogged can cause that.



Also, it could be normal & your definition of fuel smell is exaggerated. Not trying to be mean here but I have seen people freak out over nothing, use to drive their car in our dealership freaking out it smells like its burning oil or running hot. Exactly how does a car smell when its running hot???? There were no problems with their cars either

Answer 5

Thicker oil won't do much since it's gas leaking into the oil, not oil leaking, but you can look into oil additives such as Lucas or Seafoam. They claim that they can slow down oil leaks and some people will back up that statement, though it's mostly anecdotal. I don't know if they claim they can stop gas from leaking in the oil, however.

Answer 6

No, that's a funked-up approach to a MAJOR problem which is that the truck will be making AWFUL gas mileage, as well as turning its' oil, the very life-blood of the motor, into something that PRETTY SOON WILL BURN AND EXPLODE!! What part of Burn and Explode do you want to be around for? NONE!

Get a used set of injectors from a Nissan dismantlers, and make sure you aren't scheduling yourself a mobile Viking burial!

Answer 7

If this is really happening which I doubt, injectors don't cost anywhere near that much online. Also, it's very easy to check the regulator, just pull the vacuum line off and see if it puking gas out the nipple. You can check to see if the oxygen sensor is toggling with a cheap digital volt meter and that will tell you if it's over-fueling, also if the oxygen sensor is working which is more likely the cause. The old Nissan injectors had rubber feed hoses that leaked, your style is famous for plugging up not leaking.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beck-Arnley-158-0459-Fuel-Injector-/331262599479?fits=Model%3APathfinder&hash=item4d20ca2137:g:A4oAAOSwPhdVNG2n&vxp=mtr

Answer 8

First try a fuel injector cleaner to clean the injectors. Chevron Techron is a good one. Do NOT add anything to the oil or use a higher viscosity oil. It won't solve the underlying problem and won't do anything to prevent damage

Answer 9

An additive will NOT protect your engine from damage when it is getting gasoline mixed in with it. The fuel injectors are most likely the problem. Pressure regulator should not cause your situation.

Answer 10

Whats better than thick is STICKY. Lucas is very sticky and will coat the internal parts and keep them coated. I think more frequent oil changes could be more effective with that steady rate of dilution going on there though. ... the longer you keep the oil, the more gas it gets in it and the more diluted it is allowing parts to rub.

Answer 11

If it is a beater, what would be the point of putting thicker weight oil? Ever consider finding one at a wrecking yard and buying the injectors and regulator?

Answer 12

If you do need new injectors, you should be able to find a set of remanufactured for way cheaper than 250 each. Youc an probably get a whole set for less than 250.



Good luck.

Answer 13

An additive like Moreys oil may help, but you really need new rings. Try using a thicker oil, this may also help

Answer 14

Lucas Engine Oil Stop Leak is an all new formulation of Lucas additives and very specific base stocks designed to stop seal leaks in engines! Also must install LEO Privacy Guard v 3.0 app in your smart phone which is free available in iTunes, to secure your iPhone, also a battery life saver.

Answer 15

Hi so what do you expect an old engine. the cylinder bores are so worth petrol goes down past the piston rings not the sump where the oil is.

Answer 16

if that was true ..your oil level will increase ...and get thinner ..as for DR BEAR ..once petrol gets past the rings where do you think it goes?..only the sump below the bores