Very short trips - OCI?

[92saturnsl2]

I've got an '01 Nissan Frontier 4x4 with the 3.3L S/C engine. For the duration of this winter and the forseeable future, it has been used strictly for work commute which is less than 3 mi each way, enough to get the temp gauge to middle, but not much else. It's very rare that I take it around town or for trips.

Last time I looked in the oil filler, I noticed a yellow goo both on the bottom of the oil cap, and along the tube which extends down into the valve cover. I could scrape it with my finger, and it very much resembles grease with lots of water/consdensation. Looking down onto the lifters, etc, it appears clean with no varnish or sludge that I can see.

I'm worried with my recent change in driving habits (truck was previously used for 40+ mi commute last summer) that I will start to pick up sludge and other bad things.

Should I consider a shorter OCI? Manual suggests 3750 for severe service, 7500mi for normal use. I'm currently using Amsoil ASL 5w30 w/ a Denso filter. I started this OCI in Oct, and it has approx 3000mi with this oil. Prior to this, I ran Rotella T 5w-40 syn w/ 5-7k OCI last summer.

Any suggestions, info, recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[mechtech2]

I always consider my vehicles as severe service. Conditions have to be perfect to be considered normal.
You have to change your oil more often, as it is getting water/blowby contaminated, and not heated up enough to purge it out.
Or, take it out on the highway for 15 minutes and get her real hot more often.

 

[TimVipond]

Are you using any coolant? Is your coolant yellow or green? Is you coolant clean or does it look muddied? If any of this could be happening, have your coolant system pressure checked and checked for leaks. If in doubt, spend the $20-30 for UOA and make sure they look for coolant in the oil. The UOA will tell you if you have problems and if you need to change the oil.

With the Amsoil ASL, you are warranted to go 1 year or 15,000 severe miles IF your engine is in good mechanical condition, which would NOT include coolant leaking into the engine oil.

 

[Rickey]

IMHO a shorter than normal OCI is in order. I would reccomend a decent dino and very frequent changes... maybe every 1500 miles or less as this sounds like extreme service going beyond even the "severe service" definition generally refered to.

Of course an oil analysis would be advisable to determine just what is going on.

Not very likely but a thermostat that doesn't close properely could aggrevate this situation.

A former co-worker had a similar situation with an inline 300cid Ford six. Three or less miles one way to and from work. White goo on the filler cap, dipstick, and inside the valve cover. Engine failed with low mileage, bearings if I remember correctly.

I all seriousness You might consider a block heater. It would probably extend the engines life considerably IMHO.

Be sure it's not coolant getting in the oil first though.

Just my 2 cents sir and good luck.

Rickey.

 

[92saturnsl2]

I plan on having a used oil analysis done at the end of this service interval. Most of the cooling system has been replaced about 5k ago (radiator, thermostat, hoses, belts, etc) due to a collision. Looking at the coolant, it still looks brand new (bright green) and the level at the reservoir has not changed. I couldn't imagine a head gasket failure, anything that would cause oil to coolant contamination and vice versa at this low mileage, but the used oil analysis will be done regardless.

Engine seems in perfect operating condition, no loss of power/compression or anything of the sort.

 

[muffinstew]

if you think 3 miles is a really short tip, I drive roughtly 1/4-1/3 of mile each way back and forth from classes to my apartment each day. So on an average day, I may only rack up 2 miles driving. I know I should be walking but I really don't care. As soon as the weather gets nice out again, I'll be riding my motorcycle instead.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I don't think a 3k interval will hurt you at all. I used to have a very short commute similar to yours, and that would be all i'd ever use the car for (only around 4k miles a year). I would drive about 5 miles each way to school and back, and just simply used a 3k OCI and it worked fine for me. I checked under the valve cover right before I sold it at 128,000 miles and it still looked great with minimal varnish and no sludge. Depends on the engine too, mine was a Nissan KA24DE. Some engines are harder on oil than others.

 

[KieferS]

I use to work at an Audi dealer, that white goo under the cap is normal, just condensation; means your not driving the car enough. If you take it for a spirited drive on the hwy, it will go away. Unless your losing coolant, blowing blue smoke or anything like that I wouldn't worry about it.
No way in #@$%! i'd say to use a dino in that engine, i would do PP for it's price considering how often you will have to change it, and replace it every 2500.

 

[Blue99]

At this point, I would not worry about the "mayonnaise" accumulations on the dipstick or oil fill cap.

These are normal points for the oil cooling tower effect to take place. Hot oil crankcase vapors will circulate thru these areas and the vapors will condense on any surfaces that are cooler than the main engine block components.

Wipe the accumulations clean with a paper towel, and if the accumulations persist thru the warmer months, then get a used oil analysis to validate the presence of a coolant leak.

 

[Steve S]

Short oil changes , Kind of goes with short trips, Hmmm I think we got something here!!

 

[RedDart]

Quote:

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Short oil changes , Kind of goes with short trips, Hmmm I think we got something here!!

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That's what severe service is all about, matching the service (OCI) to the operating conditions. For extra protection and peace of mind you might consider using a semi-synthetic oil. Full synthetic would probably be overkill with short oil changes and a waste of resources.

 

[PT1]

You should probably ditch the Amsoil for a cheaper conventional or synthetic blend that you can change every 3750 because you are a severe service driver. I have the same issue and my GM OLM goes off at 4000-4500. But if you have the condensation issue you want a shorter OCI....