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.

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:ugh: In to see what it ends up being

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

:iagree:

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

Head gasket!

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.

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.

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.

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.


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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.

I'm going to use the block tester out, I just watched some videos. Then it's off to the shop once I figure out what it is or if I can't figure out what it is. Thanks everyone. I'll report back soon.

@Jhill, do I put the block tester on the oil fill or on the radiator?

Happened a few times on my wife's Sonata...short trips, cold ambient temperatures. Had the oil changed and it never showed up again. Let's hope yours is the same...

Really stupid question, but is it possible that the ARC combo tank is letting the goop from the catch can mingle with the coolant?

You've got coolant mixing with your oil. Not good. I've been there before, Mine was a cracked cylinder on an old CJ5 not fun. :shakes head:

Goes on the radiator fill.

Oh boy. I hope it is not serious.

Another easy way of checking oil for water contamination is to CAREFULLY drizzle the suspect oil onto a hotplate or similar. If the suspect oil snaps, crackles, and pops then it has water in it. If is just flashes/evaporates away its not contaminated.

Hope it isn't too serious but I've seen an MR2 with a blown, well cracked head gasket and his oil cap looked the same. Also the exhaust fumes and thickness of the cloud was off as well. Any difference in exhaust smoke? As in an extreme excess..

I remember seeing the same thing in my '76 Subaru in HS, blown head gasket.

Looks like condensation. Moisture evaporating, and the cap is the cool spot where the moisture collects. Common problem with some oils with short trips. My one 5.7 Hemi is great at doing this Possible cause could be the ARC tank also. You can go to a shop and have them check the cooling system for combustion leak into the system.

That is a possibility. I plan on inspecting it this weeks when I use the block tester as well. I hope it’s not serious, it’s really depressing.

If it’s worse case scenario, what is the cost of replacing head gasket. I know the head needs to be sent out to check for any warping.

Such a drag. Super bummed right now. Thanks everyone for the replies and advice.

Thank you sir.

Reporting back that I found the issue. My ARC catch can had water in the tank and it pulled it through the tubes. I have a video of me emptying out about 2-3 oz of water. I took it out and cleaned tubes and tank and left to dry. Tomorrow I will use the block tester after I put it back together just for comfiirmation.

The next step is change oil out. Should I change oil and let it run a bit and then change again or will I will be fine with one oil change?

Oil's not that expensive. I'd change twice if for no other reason than peace of mind.

If you change the oil twice. You will not get the moisture out. Unless you get the engine hot enough to evaporate the moisture that's on metal.

When I had my Mustang with a ProCharger, I would get the same thing in the Winter. I caught it all in the catch can and had to empty it once a week. My commute to work was 35 minutes and it still did this. I setup 2 catch cans just to make sure none of it was reaching the supercharger.

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