So every season change I always do a once over inspection of the vehicle to make sure all is mechanically well. Scan for codes, check fluids, etc.Today I found something that has shaken me up.

I was a quart low, but i haven't changed my oil in around 4 months (gas was expensive, no driving) so I checked it. When I added a new quart of oil I noticed my oil filler neck and inside of oil cap had a light tan 'sludge' deposit all throughout. After closer inspection I also noticed the 2 tubes that feed into air intake tube had oil all over them.

Now, last I knew any tan deposits in the oil system is an indicator of coolant in oil. However, the oil on the dipstick did not look like a milkshake but had a tinge of green to it (darker oil but not black yet). My coolant level is spot on, and still looks like brand new. No leaking fluids seen in engine itself, or in places it would usually leak from.

So where is this fluid in the oil coming from??? No indication of a blown head gasket, engine temp is normal according to the gauge, no steam out tailpipe, and after a can of seafoam in the fuel and that thing with the gas pedal (the 'recalibration' discussed on here a few days ago... I didn't know if that applied to my truck so I did it anyway) the truck runs great.

No knocks or pings, nothing. the only thing that has caught my attention in hte past is the occaisonal whiteish blue plume of smoke out the exhaust after its sat for awhile.

Now the question is, where is this fluid in oil coming from and how do I 'flush' the motor to get all the sludge deposits out. I'm going to dump the oil tomorrow, replace it with cheap oil and seafoam, run it for 200 miles, then dump the oil again.

I've always used valvoline full synthetic oil since i bought the truck, if this helps anyone think of somethin.

Thanks Guys,

Erik

 

although i could be wrong on this, my engine has the same problem with the milky sludge underneath the filler cap. my theory is condensation is causing this, and i clean it everytime i open it to put oil in it.
also the lines going into the air intake on mine have always been oily. i have changed the PCV valve which is on the valve cover. I am guessing this is all normal, and my oil consumption is within limits according to ford. Can't remember the exact limit numbers just remember mine being within limits. mine burns about a a quart to a quart and a half every 1K miles. seems like a lot. it also burns more if i keep the oil level FULL rather than on the lower side of the operating range.
I hope i didn't ramble too much and hope i answered some of your questions.

 

Interesting, I know truck engines in general tend to consume a bit of oil... heck I was about to buy a GM 8.1L and the dealer told me 3 quarts every 1000 miles was normal consumption. I don't know how valid it is but a quart every 1K was about that of my old Impala (04 with a 3800).

The sludge under the cap is still freaking me out, but at least you've helped alleviate some of my panic.

Where is your PCV valve, I set out looking for it today and had no luck (shouldn't be too difficult) but on the right valve cover there is just a hose with no valve and the hose on the passenger valve cover looks overly complicated and didn't want to come out of the cover so I lef tit alone.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. It is almost certainly condensation. Cold weather makes it harder to get enough temp in the oil for the moisture to be boiled out of it. It can't hurt to drain the oil, but I would bet that a longer drive would cause the milky bits to disappear. If there is any coolant getting in the crankcase it will usually seperate after the engine sits and end up at the bottom of the pan.
Good luck,
let us know what you find.

 

the hose on the passenger side valve cover just pulls out. thats where the PCV valve is. I think the condensation on the filler cap has a lot to do with how long the filler neck is. oil doesn't splash up there too much to boil off the condensation and thats why it looks sludgy. flushing the oil with sea foam isn't a bad idea in any case. i used a half quart of tranny fluid in mine at the 165K mile mark because of the detergent in tranny fluid to clean the motor. i just put in a half qt and let idle for a few minutes. NO DRIVING though. whatever gives you peace of mind is best though.

 

That milky tan color means water - could be from condensation or from coolant. I'd try what ameinig suggested - a good long drive. This can often happen from short drives and cold weather not letting everything warm up enough to clear out the condensation. So try to burn it out first and see if it is still there. Changing the oil certainly won't hurt either.

 

Yeah without a doubt just condensation. Especially since the truck did alot of sitting as you say. I wouldnt worry a thing about it.

 

I noticed the same thing when I used synthetic oil and longer drain intervals.

 

The tan on the cap is condensation, their have been several threads on the F150 side about this topic. Its nothing to get concerned about, alot of people experiance it.