What"s up with my oil?
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 33
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From: Wasilla, Alaska
What"s up with my oil?
Alright, Just got home yesterday. Pulled the EX into the garage to do a PMCS it's been a month and the wife loves driving it while I'm gone. Before I left last time I had done an oil change. I noticed when I pulled the oil filler cap there was a creamed colored foam on the bottom of cap. Paid it no mine. Just now pulled the cap and the same cream foam. Any ideas? Probably something stupid
but there is no stupid question when asked.
Motor: 6.8
Mileage: 174.657
Oil Motor craft: 5w20
1100 miles on fresh oil.
Outside temps have been on an av. 0
but there is no stupid question when asked.
Motor: 6.8
Mileage: 174.657
Oil Motor craft: 5w20
1100 miles on fresh oil.
Outside temps have been on an av. 0
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Wasilla, Alaska
Motor: 6.8
Mileage: 174.657
Oil Motor craft: 5w20
1100 miles on fresh oil.
Outside temps have been on an av. 0
Thanks for the lookout went back and added the above. Most trips average 60 or more miles. We live somewhat remote.
Mileage: 174.657
Oil Motor craft: 5w20
1100 miles on fresh oil.
Outside temps have been on an av. 0
Thanks for the lookout went back and added the above. Most trips average 60 or more miles. We live somewhat remote.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 644
Likes: 29
From: Toronto, Canada
I used to get that when I didn't drive the EX far enough for the motor to warm up.
For a few months my morning commute was about a mile. In the cold winter days I'd drive the EX because I'm lazy and by the time I was parking it the temp gauge barely moved.
I was doing an oil change one day and noticed the light colored brown foam on the cap.
Did some googling and it seems that it could be one of 2 things.
1 - If you don't drive the vehicle far enough there is a tendency for moisture to build up inside the engine and it manifests itself as that foamy crap
2 - Could be a leak in the head gasket
In my case it was the short trips causing the foam
** Just noticed there was another comment added while I was typing. 60 Miles would rule out the short trips...
For a few months my morning commute was about a mile. In the cold winter days I'd drive the EX because I'm lazy and by the time I was parking it the temp gauge barely moved.
I was doing an oil change one day and noticed the light colored brown foam on the cap.
Did some googling and it seems that it could be one of 2 things.
1 - If you don't drive the vehicle far enough there is a tendency for moisture to build up inside the engine and it manifests itself as that foamy crap
2 - Could be a leak in the head gasket
In my case it was the short trips causing the foam
** Just noticed there was another comment added while I was typing. 60 Miles would rule out the short trips...
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Wasilla, Alaska
Pretty sure it is not a head gasket. 95% not a hundred will check. Trips are long. With that said I was going to change it when it warmed up a bit. Guess I will be doing it sooner.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,052
Likes: 1,550
From: Media PA
I used to get that when I didn't drive the EX far enough for the motor to warm up.
For a few months my morning commute was about a mile. In the cold winter days I'd drive the EX because I'm lazy and by the time I was parking it the temp gauge barely moved.
I was doing an oil change one day and noticed the light colored brown foam on the cap.
Did some googling and it seems that it could be one of 2 things.
1 - If you don't drive the vehicle far enough there is a tendency for moisture to build up inside the engine and it manifests itself as that foamy crap
2 - Could be a leak in the head gasket
In my case it was the short trips causing the foam
** Just noticed there was another comment added while I was typing. 60 Miles would rule out the short trips...
For a few months my morning commute was about a mile. In the cold winter days I'd drive the EX because I'm lazy and by the time I was parking it the temp gauge barely moved.
I was doing an oil change one day and noticed the light colored brown foam on the cap.
Did some googling and it seems that it could be one of 2 things.
1 - If you don't drive the vehicle far enough there is a tendency for moisture to build up inside the engine and it manifests itself as that foamy crap
2 - Could be a leak in the head gasket
In my case it was the short trips causing the foam
** Just noticed there was another comment added while I was typing. 60 Miles would rule out the short trips...
One more remote possibility would be a small leak in the oil cooler at the filter base. But I would expect to see more than foam on the cap.
I would monitor the cap and oil condition. If the oil itself is looking healthy with no water droplets or globs and its not getting milky looking and you just continue to see the foam on the cap, I would wait and see if the foam stops when some warmer weather arrives. I have very little experience with thing at those average temps, it does dip that low very rarely around here (and everything goes haywire!) but then it quickly warms up to more tolerable temps.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Wasilla, Alaska
As always thanks for the quick reply. I lied, it just warmed up to 4F. Will continue to monitor.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Is the engine coming all the way up to temperature when it runs? A stuck thermostat could prevent proper warmup and cause condensation in the oil.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Iowa
In my experience some whitish slime on the oil fill cap at single-digit temperatures is completely normal, especially if it has been driven on some shorter trips or idling to warm up and really doesn't go away even if it's driven on long trips after. Keep an eye on fluid levels to be safe but I don't think you have anything to worry about.
(edit) If the foam is even slightly greenish you have a problem, antifreeze in the oil. White is condensation.
(edit) If the foam is even slightly greenish you have a problem, antifreeze in the oil. White is condensation.
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