Crankcase Milkshakes

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May 18, 2010 | 10:07 PM

desperado_18_2000

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From: S. Mississippi

Crankcase Milkshakes

My 83 has developed a thirst for crankcase milkshakes.

I'm getting some water in my oil. I just recently replaced the head & headgasket because I was getting some oily streaks in my radiator. Engine does not run hot...still has plenty of power and I'm not getting any smoke out the exhaust. Pulls around 22" of vacuum at idle on my gauge.

For the life of me I cannot get the water/condensation out of the oil. I've changed the oil and all that at least twice now, so all the contaminants from the original headgasket issue should be out of the system. It usually takes it about a week after I change the oil for the milkshake goo to show up again.

I'm not losing any antifreeze, the engine does burn a slight amount of oil, barely a half quart between changes. What do you guys suggest I look at to maybe stop this once and for all?

May 19, 2010 | 09:58 AM

parr4

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From: Austin Texas (area)

First I'd check the PCV system for proper operation then I'd do or get done a cooling system pressure test. 'milkshake' oil will not lube the innards of the engine.

May 19, 2010 | 10:09 AM

TheKirbyMan

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From: Mexia, TX

Just throwing this out there, but is the milky-looking stuff on both sides of the dipstick? I've had condensation show up on one side, but be normal looking on the other. Sometimes the dipstick gets that junk along its inside and as you pull out the dipstick, it picks up some of that stuff, giving you the impression that you have water in your crankcase.

+1 on the PCV check. Also make sure your oil breather cap is tight and there's no place for water to get in.

May 19, 2010 | 12:34 PM

1986F150six

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From: Sheffield, AL

Have you recently changed your driving habits? Are you making short trips without allowing the engine to get hot enough to evaporate the normal condensation which occurs each time your engine cools down?

May 19, 2010 | 01:49 PM

desperado_18_2000

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The truck usually gets driven about 60 miles one way every day to work. I would figure that a trip of that length would get the engine hot enough to boil off the condensation. I haven't noticed any increase in oil level, and the radiator has stayed at about 3/4's full since it was filled after the headgasket change. It does burn a little oil, so I'm losing some there, but its not appearing in the radiator as a rainbow streak.

I'd be a little concerned over the 3/4's full, but this truck has done this since I bought it in 2005. Apparently it isn't happy with a completely full radiator.

There is definitely goo on both sides of the dipstick. PCV valve was last replaced about 6 months ago with a parts store brand.

May 19, 2010 | 02:26 PM

1986F150six

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From: Sheffield, AL

What about your thermostat? Perhaps it is stuck open? What does your temperature gauge indicate?

May 19, 2010 | 02:37 PM

desperado_18_2000

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That was my original thought that the thermostat is stuck open. The temp gauge hardly ever gets past the O in normal. I can't give an accurate reading mainly because my gauges arent installed anymore. I gotta get around to putting them back in.

I'm figuring on replacing the thermostat by this weekend, a new PCV valve and a fresh oil change. My breather cap is missing the little metal looking filter out of it, so I'm going to try and find one of those as well.