Coolant Leak ?

[Ndx]

So i just open my oil cap ... and i found really tinny amount of some beige substance under my oil cap .... it was never there before ..

i took dipstick swiped over cotton towel and oil looks really greenish

Car 2004 Mazda 3 97000Km

here is the color what i found under cap ITS NOT ACTUAL PICTURE !
maybe my was brighter

 

[mcrn]

Hows your coolant level? Are these engines known for this issua?

 

[Ndx]

My coolant level is normal...
I never heard of anyone having leak...

But maybe im paranoic but my coolant looks more brighter then before ..

 

[mechtech2]

It could simply be condensation/water vapor from blowby . This is common in the cool valve cover.
Since it is getting colder out, it will take longer to get the engine and oil up to temperature and evaporate any water.
Especially in cool Canada!
But keep an eye on your coolant level. Pressure checking the system is an easy check, but won't always show a small leak.
Any milky stuff in the oil?
When the car has been sitting for a few hours, drain a bit of oil out. Any water/coolant will settle to the bottom, and you will see it.
If the oil is milky, you most likely have a gasket problem.
Also check your PCV system - it can be both a cause, and an affected part.

 

[OVERKILL]

It's just condensation most likely. The I-6 in my F-250 used to get it under the oil cap regularly in winter months.

 

[Ndx]

i see thx guys i drive on 30Km daily 15km to work and 15 bak
7 hwy 7 city // each way

so i guess those are short trips ?

 

[bobfather99]

Originally Posted By: Ndx
i see thx guys i drive on 30Km daily 15km to work and 15 bak
7 hwy 7 city // each way

so i guess those are short trips ?


What you can do is take a nice long trip(30 minutes or so) at highway speeds to eveporate moisture/burn off fuel in the oil.
This will take care of the moisture problem, and completely warm up the car.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Ndx
i see thx guys i drive on 30Km daily 15km to work and 15 bak
7 hwy 7 city // each way

so i guess those are short trips ?


That should be way long enough to prevent emulsification under the oil cap. Time for a UOA to determine if coolant is in the oil.

 

[Ndx]

yeah and yesterday i had 200Km trip
I had oil change 700Km agoo is it enough for UOA place to find coolant in it ..

beside i think from time to time i smeel coolant in my car but i guess it has nothing to do with internal leak ?

 

[Ndx]

is 1000Km enough to tell from UOA if there is Coolant ?

 

[StevieC]

For the small cost of a UOA send it in, then you don't have to worry about it. :

 

[Ndx]

Yeah I will drop it at WearCheck in Burlington

 

[StevieC]

I live in Binbrook, and use them all the time... They are really great. You know they moved recently right?

 

[Ndx]

yeah Patman told me I wonder if they check for Coolant in basic ... UOA or I need to pay extra

 

[StevieC]

Nope they check it as part of the normal analysis. It will say if you have > or < than 0.07