Hello, I have recently replaced a timing chain and phasers on a 3.6 liter in a 2011 Buick Enclave. Before replacing the phasers I replaced the chains and guides and still got the same codes. I allow the vehicle to be driven while researching that the phasers were bad. So, I took everything back apart and replaced the phasers on the camshafts and made sure the timing was good. After fully reassembling the engine I ran the engine for 5 minutes and no codes were present. I check the engine oil and found that there was coolant mixed with the oil. So I took everything apart replaced the timing cover seal applied Permertex black RTV the first time , coolant leak after pressure test going into oil pan. Second time, I used Right Stuff RTV (Grey), pressure test and leak again. Third time I used AC Delco (Grey) replaced the timing cover seal again and coolant leak after test. Bought another timing cover and HondaBond HT RTV and allowed it to cure for 3 1/2 days and tested and found coolant in oil pan. Removed, cleaned everything and applied VerseChem RTV , new seal and did not pressure test it yet. All RTV sealants were applied per instructions and all bolts were torque to specs and in sequence. My question is: could there be something I am doing wrong or could the engine have a blown head gasket from running 5 minutes? Before I put the phasers in there was not coolant mixed with oil and now there is. What would you recommend if VersaChem does not seal the timing cover? I applied all RTV sealants at the appropriate millimeters of bead to the cover.
You probably have a blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head. Those are the primary sources when coolant is found in the oil. Another possibility would be a leaky water pump if it's internal to the engine.
@chucktobias Engine didn’t get to normal operating temperature to blow the gasket. If you read my question you would see that could not have happened. I pulled the spark plugs and didn’t find any type of signs of coolant.
Engine didn’t get to normal operating temperature to blow the gasket ... I pulled the spark plugs and didn’t find any type of signs of coolant.
Irrelevant. There are things other than overheating that can cause head gasket failure, and it is one of the very few ways that coolant can enter the engine oil. Most of the other possibilities are worse. Of course a head gasket can fail without any evidence on the spark plugs depending on the location of the failure.