I had my oil changed a few weeks ago and the tech called me out and showed me that there was a creamy substance on the oil cap and top of the oil filler tube. My Expedition has never overheated and the coolant level appears to be the same as always. This is my wifes daily driver and she drives back and forth to work but only a mile each way. Living in Oklahoma with wild temperature swings, I wondered if it could be condensation.

It runs just fine, doesn't overheat or burn oil. In fact the dipstick looks normal.

Any suggestions?

 

Caused by all the short trips, it's not a problem. My 97 5.4L does the same thing.

 

Actually it IS a problem. You need to get that truck out and get it to full operating temps to burn off the condensation. Yes, it is condensation. )

What you see if water and oil mixed together. The oil is not getting hot enough to "burn" off the water (evaporate it). You'll need to change the oil much more frequently that every 3K or even have your wife walk the mile to work. Driving 2 miles a day will seriously shorten the life of your engine.

 

I've never seen this on my vehicle myself, it could be that I live in a dry climate. However in other vehicles I've had where I've seen this, it was the result of a coolant leak into the oil. Keep an eye on your antifreeze level to make sure this isn't the problem.

 

Monsta has it nailed. The lack of allowing the temperature to come up to its normal operating temperature is the result of oil and moisture in the air forming on the underside of the oil cap.

 

My bad , I should have added take her for a nice long drive to git'er warmed up.

 

So if one makes short trips should they change the oil every 2 months?
~Gage~

 

this happens more so in the winter time in my wife expedition. she drives 4 miles to work every day. what i do is i drive it one day a week to my work that is about 35 mile round trip. it takes care of burning off the condensation. I ten to change the oil at 2000 miles during the cold periods. we have had the expedition since 2000 and at this time it is running with no problems.

2000 Expediton EB 4x4
2000 Excursion LTD 2x4

 

I get the same thing with my 97 F150 4.6. Right now here in MN it's really cold as in -15 at night and highs around 0. I only drive 5 miles to work one way so that's not any better for the motor.

 

here in WI it is not as bad as MN but the creamy stuff just happens. you need to take the vehicle for a beer run!!!

 

I get it sometimes with my 99 5.4. I always thought that long filler tube on the valve cover impacted this as well.

 

Good to hear that others have experienced this!! I just found it on my expy and started to panic. As with the others here my vehicle makes too many short trips and I live in a wet/cold climate.


This place is GREAT!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all who participate and keep me from losing my mind with overthinking what all the problems "could" be.

Thanks again.

 

You will also find this cream on new engines or one that has just been pulled apart and worked on.

After break in, 1000 miles, change the oil after a good hot run.

 

My 05 150 had the same issue....so does my expy.

Condensation.

Love, Tim

 

I just checked and have the same problem. I know it is due to the engine not getting up to operating temperature for a sufficient amount of time to "cook" out the moisture.
I've been warming the engine on real COLD mornings and driving a little further when going to work and I have been going a little further on the trip back, just to run the engine a little longer. It was -7 this morning in Nebraska and hit a high of +10 this afternoon.