First Oil Change - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Eddie 70 · 11-12-2006, 12:17 PM

Just got finished with my first oil change on my new truck. When I pulled the oil fill lid off, this is what I saw. It looks like some moisture has been gathering in the engine. Hopefully this is from when the truck sat on the lot and was only ran for a few minutes at at time. The oil that came out was in good shape with no signs of moisture at all.

Pb · 11-12-2006, 12:26 PM

Nothing to worry about. Was your engine cold when you changed the oil?

Splicer · 11-12-2006, 12:36 PM

It's just normal condensation, likely from shorter trips when the engine doesn't get up to (and stay at) full operating temperature. The tall plastic oil filler neck tends to stay relatively cool, making it more prone to collect condensation there. I always change my oil hot, and still have the same stuff you are seeing. I just wipe it out with a paper towel.

Eddie 70 · 11-12-2006, 12:46 PM

I had been out to get the Sunday paper earlier. About a 5 mile ride. The reason I went ahead and changed the oil. I wanted to change it at 500 miles but I missed that one. I got it at 855. BTW, most of my trips are to work and it is 31 miles each way so plenty of time to get heat in the engine.

Splicer · 11-12-2006, 01:37 PM

I haven't tried to thoroughly analyze it, but I believe it builds up mostly on shorter trips, and does not appreciably burn off during longer trips (see my above comments about the tall plastic filler neck).

I don't like seeing it, but I doubt it's a problem and I don't worry about it.

edit: I use dino oil, dunno if synthetic does the same...

leftoverture · 11-12-2006, 01:56 PM

Didn't have that on mine. I would suggest you monitor it and have it checked before warranty is up. It could be nothing, it could be a bad head gasket or cracked head or something severe. . .

Sony · 11-12-2006, 03:29 PM

I have it in mine all the time... I've done 2 oil changes in my truck so far and they have been fine. It's normal and nothing to worry about.

msibille · 11-12-2006, 04:22 PM

I've not seen that on mine either. Doesn't mean I didn't just miss it, but I'm pretty particular and that would seem to be something that would've caught my eye too.
Any chance you've pressure washed under the hood and got some water in there?

Splicer · 11-12-2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msibille

Any chance you've pressure washed under the hood and got some water in there?

Not mine -- I still have the dust (under the hood) that came with my truck... plus a bit more!

My wife drives it to work (short trip), hence the condensation... No change after about 4 oil changes.

forbye · 11-12-2006, 08:09 PM

make sure the pcv valve is ok

msibille · 11-12-2006, 10:11 PM

I dunno. I drive only 4.1 mi each way to work. No really cold temps though in S. Louisiana.

Splicer · 11-13-2006, 07:52 AM

msibille, mine did it in the hot NorCal summer, also... but my wife's 'commute' is less than a mile.

It has done it since new, and I have read about so many others in the same situation... I haven't given it any more thought until this thread.

boone · 11-13-2006, 08:35 AM

Nothing to worry about.

Is that foam showing up on your dipstick or in your drain pan when you change your oil?

This has been noted on BITOG and 4Runner forums. The 1GR-FE has such a long filler neck. It's an unfortunate trait of long, plastic tubes. The moisture in your engine is heated and then travels to the highest, uninsulated point and sits there.

I, personally, haven't experienced any foaming.

It may be ugly but it seems to be fairly common (more appropriate, noticeable) in these engines. Get an oil analysis if you're still concerned before you start throwing parts and oil additives at it.

edit: And yes, using a synthetic will at least decrease the foaming due to a larger dose of anti-foaming additives.