Milky substance on my oil cap

mag_black · 01-31-2018, 10:07 PM

The other day I went to check oil and oped up the cap to inspect it as well, and saw this. What could it be? I'm running the ARC combo tank, my buddy thinks condensation made it's way into the crank. I'm hoping I didn't blow a head gasket and coolant is leaking.

echoshotz · 01-31-2018, 10:11 PM

In to see what it ends up being

gomer_110 · 01-31-2018, 10:13 PM

That's some seriously water contaminated oil you got there. Seems a bit much for just a little bit of condensation IMHO.

Zingston · 01-31-2018, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomer_110

That's some seriously water contaminated oil you got there. Seems a bit much for just a little bit of condensation IMHO.

mag_black · 01-31-2018, 10:19 PM

So best to change the oil and then keep an eye on it?

Zingston · 01-31-2018, 10:56 PM

In my opinion, that's indicative of a blown gasket. Probably will need more than a oil change to correct.

Have you checked your coolant levels? Any overheating lately?

Spooler · 01-31-2018, 11:18 PM

First one I have seen like this. Looks like an old Quaker State motor. LOL It does appear you have a blown headgasket. You need to get it looked at soon or it will cost you a motor. It may be too late already.

Jhill · 01-31-2018, 11:29 PM

Not uncommon on vw/Audi’s that see frequent short trip driving. That’s from condensation building up and the engine not getting hot enough to burn it all off.

Is your commute rather short?

It’s easy enough to get a block checker if your concerned.

mag_black · 02-01-2018, 12:34 AM

No overheating issues, I replaced coolant last spring w/ new 60k nissan coolant. I've never had an issue w/ this car and I've always kept up w/ maintenance. It's just weird to see this now. But for now, I want to change oil and see if it appears again. The car seems to run normal. @jhill, my trips are usually about 25 miles. I've never seen this before and I did drive it once when it was 7 degrees out. I'm hoping it's just condensation.

Optimiser · 02-01-2018, 12:50 AM

Head gasket!

Trips · 02-01-2018, 01:04 AM

Get that motor looked at before it's too late.

Just because it may sound right doesn't mean your not damaging the engine.

The last thing you'd want to see in your oil is that.

SouthArk370Z · 02-01-2018, 01:57 AM

Check the dip stick. If level has risen since last check, you probably have a coolant leak (eg, head gasket). As much sludge as there is, this would be my first guess.

If it's condensation, an hour long drive should get rid of a lot of it.

In any case, you need to change the oil and filter. But fix the problem first.

Jhill · 02-01-2018, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mag_black

No overheating issues, I replaced coolant last spring w/ new 60k nissan coolant. I've never had an issue w/ this car and I've always kept up w/ maintenance. It's just weird to see this now. But for now, I want to change oil and see if it appears again. The car seems to run normal. @jhill, my trips are usually about 25 miles. I've never seen this before and I did drive it once when it was 7 degrees out. I'm hoping it's just condensation.

Well I wouldn't think 25mi as too short, can't help you on the climate as all my experiences is Ca and if it hit so 7 here then something seriously is wrong. Wouldn't hurt to pick up a block checker kit, super easy to use and will probably cost you less than the labor at a shop.

Cyber370 · 02-01-2018, 05:43 AM

Living in a cold NE climate, I can tell you that it’s way too much for it to be condensation no matter how short your trips are or how cold it is. It looks like a blown head gasket too me. Unless you have another explanation on how that water got in there. I remember long ago having a work colleague who mistakenly added windshield washer fluid to her engine.......

Ps: Coolant system pressure test will confirm whether you have a blown head gasket. Takes 10 minutes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

V8Nissan · 02-01-2018, 06:32 AM

When you drain the oil, I would let the engine sit at least overnight and then not start it before draining it. See if the water / coolant separates to the bottom. Blackstone oil analysis is also an option if you can get a sample container quick enough or use another clean container for the oil until you can get one. They would be able to tell you exactly what it is most likely.

01-31-2018, 10:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
mag_black A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,400 Drives: 09 370Z MT6 Rep Power: 666	Milky substance on my oil cap The other day I went to check oil and oped up the cap to inspect it as well, and saw this. What could it be? I'm running the ARC combo tank, my buddy thinks condensation made it's way into the crank. I'm hoping I didn't blow a head gasket and coolant is leaking. __________________ fujimura ≠ abbeyRoadCompany ≠ fastIntentions ≠ motordyne ≠ avantGarde ≠ ecutek ≠ nismo ≠ stillen ≠ stoptech ≠ gtm ≠ spl ≠ carbonfiberelement ≠ stance™

01-31-2018, 10:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
echoshotz Base Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 218 Drives: 14 Nismo Rep Power: 73	In to see what it ends up being __________________ 2014 Solid Red Nismo 370z Motordyne\|Synergy Composites\|Stance Suspension\|Recaro\|RJM\|EVOR

01-31-2018, 10:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	That's some seriously water contaminated oil you got there. Seems a bit much for just a little bit of condensation IMHO. wideglideleon likes this. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

01-31-2018, 10:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
mag_black A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,400 Drives: 09 370Z MT6 Rep Power: 666	So best to change the oil and then keep an eye on it? __________________ fujimura ≠ abbeyRoadCompany ≠ fastIntentions ≠ motordyne ≠ avantGarde ≠ ecutek ≠ nismo ≠ stillen ≠ stoptech ≠ gtm ≠ spl ≠ carbonfiberelement ≠ stance™

01-31-2018, 10:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zingston A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 4,028 Drives: like it's a rental. Rep Power: 2684370	In my opinion, that's indicative of a blown gasket. Probably will need more than a oil change to correct. Have you checked your coolant levels? Any overheating lately? Trips, 2011 Nismo#91, RumbleFish and 3 others like this. Last edited by Zingston; 01-31-2018 at 11:00 PM.

01-31-2018, 11:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,800 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	First one I have seen like this. Looks like an old Quaker State motor. LOL It does appear you have a blown headgasket. You need to get it looked at soon or it will cost you a motor. It may be too late already. Trips, NISMO IX and redondoaveb like this.

01-31-2018, 11:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jhill Track Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: San jose Posts: 854 Drives: 2013 370z sport Rep Power: 3384	Not uncommon on vw/Audi’s that see frequent short trip driving. That’s from condensation building up and the engine not getting hot enough to burn it all off. Is your commute rather short? It’s easy enough to get a block checker if your concerned. Last edited by Jhill; 01-31-2018 at 11:31 PM.

02-01-2018, 12:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
mag_black A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,400 Drives: 09 370Z MT6 Rep Power: 666	No overheating issues, I replaced coolant last spring w/ new 60k nissan coolant. I've never had an issue w/ this car and I've always kept up w/ maintenance. It's just weird to see this now. But for now, I want to change oil and see if it appears again. The car seems to run normal. @jhill, my trips are usually about 25 miles. I've never seen this before and I did drive it once when it was 7 degrees out. I'm hoping it's just condensation. __________________ fujimura ≠ abbeyRoadCompany ≠ fastIntentions ≠ motordyne ≠ avantGarde ≠ ecutek ≠ nismo ≠ stillen ≠ stoptech ≠ gtm ≠ spl ≠ carbonfiberelement ≠ stance™

02-01-2018, 12:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
Optimiser Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 455 Drives: 2012 Nissan 370Z MT Rep Power: 20144	Head gasket! Trips, Felix 808 and RumbleFish like this.

02-01-2018, 01:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,730 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Get that motor looked at before it's too late. Just because it may sound right doesn't mean your not damaging the engine. The last thing you'd want to see in your oil is that. Chuck33079, madwi, mag_black and 2 others like this. __________________ Last edited by Trips; 02-01-2018 at 01:55 AM.

02-01-2018, 01:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Check the dip stick. If level has risen since last check, you probably have a coolant leak (eg, head gasket). As much sludge as there is, this would be my first guess. If it's condensation, an hour long drive should get rid of a lot of it. In any case, you need to change the oil and filter. But fix the problem first. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

02-01-2018, 05:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
Cyber370 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Montreal, QC Canada Posts: 679 Drives: 2016 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 19372	Milky substance on my oil cap Living in a cold NE climate, I can tell you that it’s way too much for it to be condensation no matter how short your trips are or how cold it is. It looks like a blown head gasket too me. Unless you have another explanation on how that water got in there. I remember long ago having a work colleague who mistakenly added windshield washer fluid to her engine....... Ps: Coolant system pressure test will confirm whether you have a blown head gasket. Takes 10 minutes. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk mag_black and NISMO IX like this. __________________ "That’s when you know you’ve found somebody special. When you can just shut the fck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence.”-Mia (Pulp Fiction)* Last edited by Cyber370; 02-01-2018 at 06:56 AM.

02-01-2018, 06:32 AM	#15 (permalink)
V8Nissan Base Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Ohio Posts: 13 Drives: 14 370z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 8	When you drain the oil, I would let the engine sit at least overnight and then not start it before draining it. See if the water / coolant separates to the bottom. Blackstone oil analysis is also an option if you can get a sample container quick enough or use another clean container for the oil until you can get one. They would be able to tell you exactly what it is most likely. mag_black likes this.

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