I lent my truck out to a friend a week ago and when I got it back I found the coolant level very low and slight signs of oil in the water. First let me say that I'm not trying to lay responsibility on my friend but I think it might be worth noting since it's the first time in a year that someone used the truck daily as primary transportation. Anyhow, on with the story, I found one of the lower hoses to have a small leak when hot so I changed all of the hoses(they were pretty old anyway) and checked compression. Dry compression is between 150 and 160 on all cylinders, I'm not blowing white smoke, and three of the plugs looked good while the number one plug had an excessive gap and showed signs of overheating. I also noticed water spray on the hood in line with the belts after a trip to the parts store and I'm wondering if this can all be caused by a bad water pump? Can a damaged water pump lead to water in the oil or is it more likely a sign of a damaged timing chain cover? How likely is it for a head gasket to become damaged between the oil and coolant galleys but not at the cylinders?

When you changed the hose(s) did you burp the system for air?

How about giving us the basics, like what engine do you have ?

If its a 22R/E it could be a loose timing chain has worn through the timing chain cover. You wouldn't se it in the exhaust (white smoke).

Or a blown head gasket (you might see it in the exhaust).

Yeah I burped. 22re with 210k and 80k on the timing chain(and cover). No rattles out of the ordinary.

What are the signs of "slight signs of oil in the water"? Elaborate please.

Not a frothy mess, but milk chocolate color when drained and very small amount of foam on the oil cap.

Sounds like he went thru a water hole. Get about 3 beers in him and ask him if he went wheeling with the truck.

Small amount of foam on oil cap is normal, comes from short trips and condensation forms and is not burned off from not running at operating temperature. Now the milk chocolate colored oil is another story. If it is running OK I would drain and flush it, do an oil and filter change to see if it comes back. If it does you have a problem, if it does not, grab your "friend" by the short-hairs until he fesses up to what he did with your rig

Oil will saturate with water from moisture in the air if it sits. Change the oil and drive it.

Don't know about Arizona, but back in Nebraska, it'll take at least 6! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />