Update to moisture in oil thread

[carpy]

I know the moderators moved my thread, but I wanted to post a reply with additional info on this subject here because this seems to be the most popular of the forums.
I took my vehicle....2004 Chevy Colorado 4X4 4cyl. to a dealer today out here in Colorado for two reasons previously posted.....Milky white goo on underside of oil fill cap, and a dropping coolant level in the resevoir. The dealer ran an oil analysis and it showed a high level of glycol in the oil. I will post this oil analysis of Mobil Drive Clean 5w30 GF4 as soon as they fax it to me. But just beware that it will be skewed by the glycol dilution. This shyould give this board a somewhat diluted look at the DC GF4 in 5w30.

 

[novadude]

A 2004 with an internal coolant leak?

That doesn't speak highly of GMs quality!

I'll look forward to the GF4 analysis!

 

[94MaxGXE]

Yea, That dealer knows how to make money. Be carefull.
Change the oil and PCV valve and keep an eye on it.

 

[carpy]

Just stay tuned for updates. This was the service writer that gave me the info over the phone. I'll know more tomorrow when they fax me the oil analysis and the tech takes a look at it.
What was really interesting was the service writer also has an '04 colorado with the 5cyl., and we both went out and looked at the oil cap on his vehicle and he also has the milky goo underneath the cap. So I'm not sure what to make of it.

 

[Drew99GT]

quote:

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Originally posted by carpy:
What was really interesting was the service writer also has an '04 colorado with the 5cyl., and we both went out and looked at the oil cap on his vehicle and he also has the milky goo underneath the cap. So I'm not sure what to make of it.

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GM still makes coolent eaters

 

[Drew99GT]

Hey Carpy, where in CO is your truck located?

 

[carpy]

Great News!!! The service writer did not calibrate the oil analyzer properly before doing the sample. The trained tech did it and the oil analysis showed no trace of glycol!!!! And to boot he said Chevy technical service said that is normal for this engine to collect condensation and other contaminants under the oil cap. This is exactly what Terry Dyson stated to me on my original thread before I started this fiasco. I would like to recognize Terry and thank him for his input.
I also have an oil analysis of the Drive Clean GF4 which I will post on the Analysis forum.

 

[thunderchild]

Carpy, this type of goo under the oil cap is also a known problem with the Dodge Durango and other vehicles using the 4.7 engine. It is just condensation mixing with the oil on cool down. i had this in my D and it was solved by my switching to synthetics. Also, DC put in some plastic baffle in the oil fill tube that keeps it to a very minimum. Oil is always fine though. It just happens in cool to cold weather.

 

[Big Jim]

I remember seeing this often on old VW air cooled engines. At least I knew it wasn't from a blown head gasket. They didn't have a very effective PCV system.

 

[haley10]

Thanks Carpy. I was very interested in the Colorado, but decided to run my old Mitsu p/u as long as it will go. I never buy into a new engine design until others get a lot of good experience. These are interesting engines, but I was fearful of something like this.

If he detected glycol easily, the uoa is going to be pretty ugly. I can't believe someone hasn't done a voa for us yet.

 

[SHOZ]

I plug the fresh air makeup hoses on my cars and run the hose that goes to the PCV valve through a condensation can down in the fender. This condenses out the gunk so it is not ingested by the motor.

By closing off the fresh air hoses I eliminate at least 50% of the volume that gets condensed. This is where the goo comes from for the most part.

 

[i]

quote:

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Originally posted by SHOZ:

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you a vewy bad boy!