Stuff on oil cap
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: NH
Stuff on oil cap
I checked my oil yesterday and noticed some sludge on the underside of the cap. It kind of looks like the soap mechanics use that doesn't require water....sort of a whitish with a pudding-like consistency. Is this something I need to be worried about? I have a 97 F150 Lariat with a 4.6. Auto Trans. 4x4. I also noticed lately that the exhaust puts out a white smoke. I'm thinking that my head gasket is on its way out the door...can someone confirm so I don't get blind-sided?!?!?!?!
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
i have an 03 f150 sc
and noticed the same thing.
it is water/moisture in the oil
I have a short daily commute (6 miles to work /3miles to gym)
so my engine does not heat up for a long enough time to evaporate all the moisture in the oil.
"as long as the oil looks good it should be fine" was what the dealer told me
and noticed the same thing.
it is water/moisture in the oil
I have a short daily commute (6 miles to work /3miles to gym)
so my engine does not heat up for a long enough time to evaporate all the moisture in the oil.
"as long as the oil looks good it should be fine" was what the dealer told me
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
You stated that you had white smoke coming from the exhaust. If it is only at first start up and for the first few miles driven, this is okay. That is water which has condensed in the exhaust system that is steaming of as it heats up. If you have it after driving a while, you may have a leaking head gasket.
The stuff in the filler cap could be condensation also. The way to check thi is drive for a while, say 30+ miles and after stopping check the cap and the dip stick to see if it is still there. If it is, again this may mean a leaking head gasket.
The stuff in the filler cap could be condensation also. The way to check thi is drive for a while, say 30+ miles and after stopping check the cap and the dip stick to see if it is still there. If it is, again this may mean a leaking head gasket.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Bad PCV valve can also cause it. Or if the cavuum line to the PCV valve has clogged up, it will not properly evacuate the crankcase.
I reciently worked on a guys jeep that was full of the milky stuff. I found the metal PCV vacuum tube to be clogged. I cleaned it out. I ran the engine for 10 minutes and it went away. The crankcase must breathe.
Jimmy
I reciently worked on a guys jeep that was full of the milky stuff. I found the metal PCV vacuum tube to be clogged. I cleaned it out. I ran the engine for 10 minutes and it went away. The crankcase must breathe.
Jimmy
Last edited by LxMan1; Feb 14, 2004 at 11:22 PM.
