Need advice please...
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Need advice please...
My son's 2002 truck with 35,000 miles, bought recently and still under warranty runs great, but has beige coloured sludge on the underside of the oil filler cap and inside the neck. He had an engine flush done, but it has returned. The dip stick shows clean oil. When he shook the oil cap in his hand, water droplets were apparent. The coolant level is constant, and there is no smell or indication that this is coolant--pretty sure it's water. The temperature gauge shows normal operating temperature, and he gets good heat in our northern climate, so I don't think it's a faulty thermostat (probably still the factory one).
He uses the truck mainly for short distances--about 10 miles one way to work. I'm thinking it's probably condensation from these short trips, but I'm not sure. I suggested he add some gas treatment to the gas to get rid of any moisture in the gas, but he has been told that's bad for the engine--never heard that myself.
Any thoughts on what could be causing this sludge build-up in this fairly new truck? Any thoughts to fix it?
He uses the truck mainly for short distances--about 10 miles one way to work. I'm thinking it's probably condensation from these short trips, but I'm not sure. I suggested he add some gas treatment to the gas to get rid of any moisture in the gas, but he has been told that's bad for the engine--never heard that myself.
Any thoughts on what could be causing this sludge build-up in this fairly new truck? Any thoughts to fix it?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntington Indiana
before it goes out of warranty I would take it in and have them check it out before it costs you. I would rather, while under warranty, let the dealer do the work for free. Especially since you are running so close for the end of warranty. What weight oil are you using? Is it what your book calls for in the temp range? If you use too heavy of oil you could get some sludging. say for example using 20W40 instead of 5W30 in cold weather.
I have never heard of a treatment that is "bad for the engine" in the gas anyway. Please put up a signature with what vehicle specs we are talking about, it would help all of us to better help you.
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Thanks for your reply. Truck is 2002 Dodge Durango V6 4x4. I know this is a Ford site, but I have received such great help for my Ford 150 302 V8 that I thought it would be worth asking.
I know my son has the right oil in the engine, and he is meticulous about maintenance, but has just had the truck for a month. He has changed all the fluids, and had a mechanic check everything, but so far no answer as to why the sludge in the oil cap. Mechanic is convinced it's water, not coolant, and the oil looks clean. Truck runs really well--no roughness, hesitation, etc.
He is planning on taking it into the dealer next week, but I want him well-informed when he does so (on the phone the dealer was talking about replacing head gasket, but this sounds premature to me, as coolant doesn't seem to be leaking at all--level is constant, and the sludge has no smell of coolant; rather seems to be clear water drops on it.
Any suggestions/advice appreciated.
Frank.
I know my son has the right oil in the engine, and he is meticulous about maintenance, but has just had the truck for a month. He has changed all the fluids, and had a mechanic check everything, but so far no answer as to why the sludge in the oil cap. Mechanic is convinced it's water, not coolant, and the oil looks clean. Truck runs really well--no roughness, hesitation, etc.
He is planning on taking it into the dealer next week, but I want him well-informed when he does so (on the phone the dealer was talking about replacing head gasket, but this sounds premature to me, as coolant doesn't seem to be leaking at all--level is constant, and the sludge has no smell of coolant; rather seems to be clear water drops on it.
Any suggestions/advice appreciated.
Frank.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
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From: Huntington Indiana
being your from the north country, It could just be condensation forming when the engine is still warm and the oil cap gets cold first. I would take it to a different dealer to get a second opinion. But has it been really cold and humid in your area like michigan? If so it is a good probability for the condensation but still might get another local dealer to look at it. I hope this helps good luck.
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Take it for a long run, 60+ miles in one shot. If it's condensation it will be gone or greatly diminished. If it's coolant it will stay the same or get worse. I bet on condensation. I've had it on a few vehicle. Scared the **** outa me the first time I saw it. Since I found out what it was, no problem. It turns up on my vehicles at least once where I notice it, every winter.
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[QUOTE=Frank Lang]My son's 2002 truck with 35,000 miles, bought recently and still under warranty runs great, but has beige coloured sludge on the underside of the oil filler cap and inside the neck. QUOTE]
Frank
When I lived in Wash DC, among the snow bunnies, I would get condensation in my oil on my T-Bird. I almost fainted when I first saw it. I changed oil very often, but the droplets kept returning. Of course it was the heat of the engine meeting the cold of the winter nights. Not much I could do about that. I drove at residential and freeway speeds a minimum of twice per day.
However, I think a large amount of sludge is excess. Is the inner engine allowed to breath when parked?
Frank
When I lived in Wash DC, among the snow bunnies, I would get condensation in my oil on my T-Bird. I almost fainted when I first saw it. I changed oil very often, but the droplets kept returning. Of course it was the heat of the engine meeting the cold of the winter nights. Not much I could do about that. I drove at residential and freeway speeds a minimum of twice per day.
However, I think a large amount of sludge is excess. Is the inner engine allowed to breath when parked?
Last edited by Dazz; Feb 25, 2005 at 06:58 PM. Reason: word change
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Thanks for all your responses. Dazz, what do you mean by "is the inner engine allowed to breathe when you park?" My son parks the truck in an unheated garage overnight. Current temperatures in our area have been about 20 degrees fahrenheit daytime and about 12 degrees fahrenheit night time.
I will encourage him to get a second opinion from a dealer, but sounds like it might just be the condensation causing sludge. Maybe he has to drive it longer distance to get it to burn that off more often.
Thanks again.
Frank.
I will encourage him to get a second opinion from a dealer, but sounds like it might just be the condensation causing sludge. Maybe he has to drive it longer distance to get it to burn that off more often.
Thanks again.
Frank.
