Air bubbles in engine oil?

[Bob69]

I've been seeing air bubbles in my engine oil recently, running Mobil 1 5W-40 TDT. EOA's are very good showing no water, fuel, coolant, insolubles, and the oil level is correct (not overfull). These bubbles first showed up shortly after adding CERATEC oil additive. My worst fear is a mechanical issue like the pick up tube sucking air somewhere but my first guess is that the bubbles are related to the additive. Has anyone out there had a similar experience?

 

[Falken]

I've had what appeared to be small bubbles in the oil last Winter.

I was doing insane short trips, and it was little crystals of condensation.

When I'd check the oil level first thing in the morning, there were tiny shards of ice on the dipstick.

First time rubbing oil between my fingertips told me anything...

 

[Bob69]

My oil has no condensation and no water in it, these air bubbles occurs when the engine is both cold or fully warmed up, short trips or after long trips. After the engine has sat turned off for a few hours the bubbles pretty much disappear. They are super small if I check the oil immediately afters shutting down the engine and will coalesce into larger air bubbles in front of my eyes as I stare at the dipstick.

 

[spasm3]

You noticed it only after using a additive. If concerned , i'd change the oil and filter and leave out the additive. See if the phenomena returns. I use some additives, but it it was never there before the additive and it is now after i think you can probably assume its related.

 

[Bob69]

Forgot to mention; I did change the oil and filter (changed that twice), but the air bubbles remained. I'm also occassionally still seeing a tiny bit of sediment on the dipstick which only started after adding the CERATEC, so my guess is that some of the additive is still circulating in the system. This has been going on now for around 12,000 miles, I do plan on changing the oil and filter again soon.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Bob69
I've been seeing air bubbles in my engine oil recently, running Mobil 1 5W-40 TDT. EOA's are very good showing no water, fuel, coolant, insolubles, and the oil level is correct (not overfull). These bubbles first showed up shortly after adding CERATEC oil additive. My worst fear is a mechanical issue like the pick up tube sucking air somewhere but my first guess is that the bubbles are related to the additive. Has anyone out there had a similar experience?
Originally Posted By: Bob69
I've been seeing air bubbles in my engine oil recently, running Mobil 1 5W-40 TDT. EOA's are very good showing no water, fuel, coolant, insolubles, and the oil level is correct (not overfull). These bubbles first showed up shortly after adding CERATEC oil additive. My worst fear is a mechanical issue like the pick up tube sucking air somewhere but my first guess is that the bubbles are related to the additive. Has anyone out there had a similar experience?


I've used cera-tec and like the stuff. I doubt there is a connection and I've never seen oil foaming when I use the stuff.

 

[147_Grain]

Originally Posted By: Clevy

I've used cera-tec and like the stuff. I doubt there is a connection and I've never seen oil foaming when I use the stuff.


+1

 

[Flareside302]

Either additive, which aren't needed if good oil, and correct for application is used..

Or to much and the crank is whipping it up..

 

[Bob69]

Ok, an update, changed the oil after first changing the oil filter then flushing with Amsoil engine and transmission cleaner, then drained the oil completely and changed the filter again (also cranked the engine while the filter and drain plug were out to get as much old oil out as possible). Then refilled with Mobil 1 0W-40 full synthetic oil (European Formula but left the crankcase 1/2 quart low to ensure it was not overfull. Darn but I still have the small bubbles in the oil, checked both in a cold and then a hot engine. So I'm wondering now if I don't have an internal air leak somewhere in the oiling system that is sucking air into the circuit.

 

[TFB1]

If bubbles were caused by the additive ONE change would have at least mostly corrected the issue, whatever this problem is won't be fixed with oil/filter changes...

If it hasn't gotten any worse in 12K mi likely it's a non issue anyway...