Look at this oil cap!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis Mo
Look at this oil cap!!
My "Low oil level" light came on today, and when i went to put oil in it i noticed the cap had foamy antifreeze mixed with oil(looks like) on it! In guess im gonna pull it apart and see what s the prob.
Any comments or suggestions? I figure it must be a head gasket........Here s a pic(not very clear)
Any comments or suggestions? I figure it must be a head gasket........Here s a pic(not very clear)
Uneducated autodidact
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 252
From: West of the Sabine, Texas
are you sure that's not just oil mixed with the condensation that inevitably gathers in the valve covers? Do a leak down before you pull it down....you may be pleasantly surprised...just my opinion of course.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 67
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From: Austin Texas
I've never seen this with my vette but my daily driver is a 2000 dakota with a 4.7 V8 and I have seen that gunk inside it's oil cap a few times while changing oil. It scared me the first time I saw it but the truck ran fine, didn't smoke, and the oil that came out of the pan looked fine. I came to the conclusion that it must be condensation mixed with oil residue. The first time I saw this was about six years ago and my truck is still doing great. Not saying that this is what's happening with you but it's a possible so don't panic just yet. Hope this helps.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
With both above assessments. While it's ugly, it's not totally unexpected this time of year and might be dependent on the type of driving you normally do.For example, if you drive the car on short trips w/o complete warm up and burn off of the water created during the combustion process. It's similar to the water you see dripping from the exhaust pipes during the colder months. It's why it's not a good idea to start up your car in the winter months and allow it to idle w/o driving it and thoroughly burning off the condensation. The condensation does dilute the oil and can cause damage to the engine internals over time.
Do you by any chance have a lower than stock thermostat installed in your car?
Here's a similar discussion...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ptured-it.html
Last edited by hotwheels57; Nov 12, 2008 at 05:51 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 66
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From: Saugus CA
Foam
Hi Is the coolant level going up as the oil is going down, also does it look like oil is in the coolant? I think I would check those things before breaking it down.
My "Low oil level" light came on today, and when i went to put oil in it i noticed the cap had foamy antifreeze mixed with oil(looks like) on it! In guess im gonna pull it apart and see what s the prob. Any comments or suggestions? I figure it must be a head gasket........Here s a pic(not very clear)
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis Mo
Im so glad for that! 
I ll change the oil in the morning and monitor the situation. Thanks to all ,who chimed in to stop me from finding the HEAD GASKET LEAK that i "knew" i would find!
Thanks guys-Jason
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
You might want to change your PCV valve if it's accessible. See:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/PCV...eplacement.htm
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/PCV...eplacement.htm
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 537
Likes: 3
From: Houston Texas.
St. Jude Donor '09-'12
oil and water???
Has your car over heated? (ever)...Is the coolant low?.....Is the check engine light on?....Do you have a smooth Idle?...ANY....smoke or steam, from tail pipes at Idle, only, after she has warmed up? John.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis Mo
You might want to change your PCV valve if it's accessible. See:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/PCV...eplacement.htm
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/PCV...eplacement.htm
It was a gutted out looking pcv valve thing. I put a new one in today, and It drives so much smoother. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,316
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From: St. Louis Mo
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,824
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange Florida
Boats motors are famous for this.It occurs when there is not enough heat to burn off the condensation.
Drive it for 20 minutes and see what happens.
If you had a head gasket make that kinda mess you would notice other issues.
Drive it for 20 minutes and see what happens.
If you had a head gasket make that kinda mess you would notice other issues.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Ah, that's good news! Also, as Shore mentioned, driving short distances whereas the oil temp never exceeds, say 180F can also cause what you see.
