Another Milky Cap

[-Clayton-]

I Just noticied the other day when checking my oil that that the bottom of my oil cap had a milky residue on it. No coolant leaks, Iv'e got 2k on my oci now still it looks like i poured it in yesterday. Here's what im thiking. It gets drove about three miles and parked for about 2 1/2 hours then comes back And does the same thing in the evening. Rarely goes anywhere in between, And is usually 20 degrees in the morning. Maybe its not burning off all of the moisture and thats where some of it's ending up. If so im going to take it out and run the **** out of it. By the way it's a 95 caravan About 235k, and havoline 10w30, 3 litre (mitsu).And maybe should it be changed out early, I have to make it last as long as possible. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ugly3]

The problem is moisture not burning off, possible PCV problem?

 

[Islandvic]

Condensation. It happened once to my 4.6 Crown Vic. I have never seen it again.

Take it for a nice 15 minute drive. I would not think the oil needs to be changed out early.

Replace the pcv maybe?

 

[seotaji]

i can't remember if the 3L mitsu engine had a pcv.

i know it used a breather located inside the airbox which always became coated in used oil/nasty stuff. make sure that's in good condition.

it was decent for what it was.

 

[Mike_dup1]

The operating conditions are the problem and as long as you continue with the short runs, this will be a problem. This is harder on you engine oil than if you drive 25,000 miles a year.

All the more reason to change oil often or use a high quality oil that can handle this. That will require experimentation. My Mothers Lumina is driven infrequently in winter, often 3-5 miles etc and then parked for a few hours and back home. Been using synthetic oil since 1993 and there is no condition like you decribe.

 

[-Clayton-]

The PCV is fairly new I try to clean it regularly. Since this is considered severe service how far would you guys run on this oil? Im thinking about 4k, I usually go about 5k but since I saw this It's got me wandering.

 

[earthworm]

I for one, do NOT think it is a good idea to drive around with moisture in the engine oil. This is severe service, and the oil should be changed 3 to 4 times per year. There may be some oils that can handle this severe service better than others..

 

[Tones]

Water is a by-product of combustion. There are always traces of water vapor in the crankcase. Dodges are known for this problem too. Warming it up good for 30 mins or so periodically should be all it needs.

 

[Bullet]

I just bought a new Tacoma 2006 V6 engine last week. When I got home it had 16 miles on the odometer. It also had a milky cap, but the oil was fine.

 

[JHZR2]

Common in colder temps, especially if the oil isnt up to temp regularly (i.e. driving over 15 miles, typically).

There are two major reasons:
1) engine oil not up to temperature regularly
2) engine oil not up to the task of holding that water without making funny emulsions.

Ive found in my BMW that castrol syntec was more succeptible to milky cap than M1 and rotella syn. Different oils/basestock combos have different things theyre good at I suppose... Everything is ALWAYS a tradeoff, and everything ALWAYS has a cost in engineering things. Nothing is for free... I guess castrol syn made that trade in my case?!?

Anyway, I digress... its important to get well up to temperature regularly. It does not mean to drive harder, but to drive LONGER. Give that a try first... We've proven time and time again that with a good oil and a regular highway drive now and again, severely severe

service can still allow OCIs of 5000+ miles... So dont worry, just change a bit (and your current oil

).

JMH

 

[Ken42]

I too have this same problem with my 86 Corolla and a rebuilt engine. Take it out on the highway once in a while. Anybody know what a ideal oil temp would be to reach?

Ken

 

[john_ertw]

I had this issue too last year in an 02 V6 Grand Am. Thing is I did 99% highway driving. Problem was that since I didn't see any traffic, the coolant temperature never reached normal operating temperatureduring my 50 mile drive to work. When ever I would do city driving with stops at traffic lights and at city speeds, the temperature would eventually go up to operating temperature and the milky residue disappeared. So the trick may not necessarily be a long highway drive, but a long drive where the engine is at operating temperature for at least 10-15 minutes.

 

[tmorris1]

john_ertw,
you better get a new thermostat if your engine doesn't warm up after 50 miles of driving.

 

[seotaji]

look in your coolant recover tank. does it have oily residue in it?

my caravan came from the factory with what looked like a blown headgasket.

 

[-Clayton-]

It,s all been good lately Driving it a little more now. I usually run about 15-18k a year but just havent got out much lately. I think Im going to dump the oil at 4k this time. I really want to do a auto-rx treatment, I believe it would really help alot. When I do I will post some before and after pics of under the valve cover if anybody's intrested.