milky substance on oil cap

[tmarsh]

I opened my oil cap and found a thick milky white substance coating the top. I am assuming it is coolant. My question is why. My car doesn't sound like it has blown a head gasket (been there before). Haven't had any noticeable loss in power (in fact I thought to myself the other day it seemed to have a little pep in its step). I have replaced the pcv valve in the last month and a half, their is an oil leak, seemingly from the valve cover gasket near the distributor, (I had the oring leak fixed over a year ago) and I have driven it perhaps twice when oil was low. I know that isn't good but would that do any damage that would be slow to show?

Any help would be appreciated.

Also, I have a power steering leak - an inner boot on the passenger side i leaking the fluid. Any idea on the cost to fix that? Thanks

Aaron

[dc_98_cam]

Which engine .. year ....?
Have coolant system pressure tested...

[ihartmacz]

That's sludge.

If coolant was leaking into the oil, you'd know.

[rebel8ball]

if tis a tiny amount i have seen it happen when the temps swing wildy, condensation forms and you get milk.

[xtremeskier97]

Sludge isnt as milky as coolant in the oil is. Sludge is a little thicker than milky in my opinion. A picture would help determine which it is. Check your coolant level. It if is low...then have it pressure tested.

[Mike Gerber]

It could also be as simple as condensation formed from a lot of short trip driving. Condensation is a byproduct of combustion, especially on a cold engine. When you first start your engine this condensation is formed as the cold engine begins to warm up. If you drive the car long enough, that condesation is evaporated by the heat of the engine. If you make frequent short trips this condensation never leaves the engine. It will pool under the oil cap. It's usually tan to light brown in color though, not white. Do you frequently do short trip driving?

Mike

[swiftjustice]

I think Mike has it right. That type of condensation is typical of the following:
1. Predominantly short trip driving. The engine is not getting hot enough for a long enough period of time to burn off all the condensation, especially during the wintertime.
2. Blocked engine breathing system (i.e. PCV valve or atmosphere vents on earlier engines)
3. Coolant system compromise, usually the head gasket.

I'd start with number one and move down the list in searching for the problem.

[Axel Kain]

milky crap in the oil cap is from moisture not making its way to the PCV valve. now if your dipstick showed milky crap, then yes you have larger problems...head gasket. sludge looks like somebody baked something and let it go for 1hr more, burnt to a crisp, if you touch it it will turn to a crunchy/goey substance. this is from heat, and lack of oil changes.

but if your oil cap has a recess in it (i expect it does), then the moisture will be traped there.

want a good laugh, find a dodge ram with a 4.7 V8, the oil caps get milky as all get out! nothing wrong with the engine, just stupid design.

[Hajoca]

That tiny amount is condensation.... looks like dark toffee is some oil, moisture and fuel.


Check the oil on the dipstick to reassure yourself.
If you take a long trip (like 30 minutes) on the highway, the engine can heat up the oil and then evaporate the moisture and fuel inside.

[mvftw]

Very simple to check...just change your oil & filter. If it comes out like chocolate milk...your done...if it's black, then your Ok, it's just condensation as mentioned. Also change your brand of oil that can help...

[Curry]

Agree with mike, sounds like condesation. Had a similar issue.

[renmike]

Yeah, condensation sounds like the most likely cause, especially if when checking the oil on the dipstick it looks fine.

[tmarsh]

So I took the car to a mechanic, He said the engine is in bad shape. Something about the piston rings having alot of blowback. He said if you pull out the dipstick while the engine was running oil spewed out. Something about too much pressure. Said something about some misfiring as well, but I don'there it, or feel it, whether at a slow speed or on hwy. I started tuning him out when it sounded like life was about to suck. He reminded me, and I forgot to mention that I had a leak in the radiator and had it replaced. I don't think my engine overheated, but he kept asking me if that happened.

He said My choices were to get a new engine, or rebuild. Either way...$$$

Please offer up some hope. If a rebuild or new engine is necessary can you give some advice.

BTW - it is a 94 manual 4cyl.

Thanks.

[Kep]

This sounds like the time to get a second opinion. There are tests that can be done to determine if there are exhaust fumes getting into the coolant or if there is blow by. Oil in the coolant definately is a concern and needs to be fixed if it is indeed there.

The suggestions above are all pertainent. Is the oil on your dip stick also milky? Have you checked to see if your PCV valve is clean (it should rattle when you shake it)?

Need more information on the blown radiator. If an engine is run without being pressurized, I understand that it can damage the engine because the coolant doesn't circulate as designed, even if the temperature gauge doesn't show an overheating situation. Doesn't automatically mean that there was damage but there may need to be more checks.

Kep

[-SCWEET1-]