While at work today, I decided to pull off the oil-fill cap. When I pulled it off, there was a thick white coating on the underside. Smelled like gas and oil---very thick stuff. Truck had 49,350 on it and I've got 200 miles or 26 days till it's warranty runs out. I checked my oil, via dip stick and that looked and smelled normal---Wasn't low either. Also checked coolant--That was normal too---Is this normal or maybe from oil additives??----I did buy it used from a dealer. Anyone have any thoughts?? Thanks much!------Ray

 

The only time I've ever seen that in person was on an '84 Bronco with a 302. It was that vehicle's 1st oil change with about 1500 miles on the odometer. Dealer said it was due to water condensation from the time it was shipped until my family bought it, thought that was a weird one. Could it be that you had the oil filler cap off for an extended period while it was humid outside? Clean the cap, get the oil and filter changed and see if it happens with the next check. 200 miles probably won't give it enough time, but 26 days should. Also when the oil is drained see if the milky stuff is in the oil.

-Kerry

 

Thanks much---Will be checking into it more tomorrow. Ray

 

Walleye -

Do you make a lot of short-distance trips? I'm thinking the engine isn't warming up enough to burn off condensation in the oil.

Steve

 

I was thinking that also---I work 1.5 miles from my house, so yes, there are many short trips in the truck----Good call!---Thanks!------Ray

 

what kind of oil do you use?, with some cheaper brands of oil the viscosity has a tendancy to break down alot faster than a name brand . some of these(inexspensive...er cheap) examples can be bought as house oil at various lube joints......

 

To be honest, I don't know what's in there now---Just getting ready to change it this weekend---Have only put 3200 miles on it since I bought it-----Thanks for the info!------Ray

 

The brand of oil won't be much of a factor. What you describe is not uncommon in the winter time especially, if driven on short hops.

To correct this, give it a good run to get it up to operating temperature then drain the oil with the engine hot. Then use a good premium oil and a fresh filter. Then start changing it more often. If you are making hops that are only 1.5 miles with plenty of time to cool off between runs, you need to be changing oil once every three months, not waiting for a mileage interval.

Good luck,
Doc

 

Also before you change the oil ,drive it for about 10-20 miles , to get some of the buildup broken apart and some of the water that has formed to burn off. This will all come out with the oil change. I would say you should drive it once a week on a 10 mile trip to prevent condensation buildup in the block. Hope this helps.

 

I've seen white resudue on many F-series/fullsize SUV oil caps, especially now that its winter. Even those that get their oil changed every 5000 kms(3000 miles) (occasionally once a month, we get some high milers) have that white residue, so i agree with MDDiagMans statement about the cold weather hops.

 

Thanks much for the info !---Since I've been driving on longer trips it has gone away-----and looks normal----Ray(In Wis.)

 

Interesting....


I had the same thing last oil change (2004 F150 5.4). I drive 100 miles per day at 70 mph, change oil at 5000 mile intervals using Motorcraft 5W-20. I'll soon change over to Mobil 1...

Any thoughts? I know it's moisture, but why?

 

Mark,

Since you choose not to fill in your location in your profile and don't state it in your text, I have no idea what climatic conditions you drive in. I would expect that you are in a cold climate, in which case this might be somewhat normal in the Winter months.

Personally if I am seeing this in any of my engines, I will drive the car at least 20 miles and change the oil while the engine is hot. This will have a lot of moisture absorbed in the oil, thus it will drain out.

Good luck,
Doc