water in oil?

[cromag2k]

I'm looking at buying this car, but there is a problem. there is water in the oil and i was wondering if anybody has had this problem before, and if so what was the problem?

[Silvia007]

First off, how can you tell it's water? Only way it got there is through the valve cover or bad head gasket.

[cromag2k]

i was told by the mechanic that i took the car to, and he thought it could be the timing cover seal or somethin like that

[Silvia007]

If that's the case, I'd check the dipstick and smell it, it smells different if it's water and different if it's coolant. If it's water, the mechanic may be right, if it's coolant, it's your head gasket.

[wikd240]

there is another way it can get into the motor... front timing chain cover can have wear marks in it from the timing chain causing a hole... since the water pump mounts to the cover right in front of the chain there can be a hole worn it it from years of the chain smacking the cover... thats what happened to mine... in the process of rebuilding it now...