Creamy paste in catch can?
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
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From: Republic of Texas
Creamy paste in catch can?
I was cleaning out my catch can and noticed a creamy buildup in the can. A little research suggested this happens when oil mixes with moisture.
The good news is that the dipstick and oil cap have no signs of this creamy gunk. Over the past 48 hours, the temperature dropped from the low 70s to the 20s. Would such a drop in temperature cause moisture in the air and oil create this substance in the catch can?
The good news is that the dipstick and oil cap have no signs of this creamy gunk. Over the past 48 hours, the temperature dropped from the low 70s to the 20s. Would such a drop in temperature cause moisture in the air and oil create this substance in the catch can?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Yorktown Virginia
I think that going from 20 to 70 could cause it but Im not too sure about the other way around. I would also think that in order for it to become creamy like you say it would have to me churned or mixed up in some way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: PNW
Yep ... the warmer the air is, the more moisture it can hold. If a bunch of short trips were done, it's possible it's just an accumulation of condensation the PCV system has collected.
Thread Starter
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From: Republic of Texas
I did drive the car a bunch on Tuesday which is when there was the biggest change in weather conditions.... I hope that's what it is.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Shorter trips, cold weather. Last year it got so bad my wife's BMW crankcase ventilation valve ruptured due to moisture that froze. Additionally, the moisture screwed up the Vanos (cam advance system). All in all, $3,500 in repairs 
Thread Starter
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From: Republic of Texas
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Easley/Anderson South Carolina
as long as it is in the catch can and not oil pan, stick or cap, you should be fine. I had a catch can that drained out of the bottom into a sealed clear container on my GTO last year, 1 ounce of water for every 900-1000 miles driven was the average.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: PNW
After some longer continuous run times, look inside the catch can and see if there is any moisture or not ... shouldn't be any in that case.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Carmichael ca
The kit comes with a plastic tube that fits inplace of your radiator cap. You put the blue fluid that comes with it in the tube. Run the engine, if the fluid turns to green or yellow, you have exhaust gases in the coolent. That means you have a leaky headgasket or a cracked head.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 656
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From: Midwest
St. Jude Donor '08
While performing my winter storage oil change last November, I noticed the same thing. Drained oil from crankase looked normal. Combination of short late season drives and cold damp weather. Looked like liquid carmel in the catch can.
Silverbird
Silverbird
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From: southeast
Yep ... the catch can will act like a "condensation trap" also if the car is driven on short trips where the engine isn't at full temp for very long periods.
After some longer continuous run times, look inside the catch can and see if there is any moisture or not ... shouldn't be any in that case.
After some longer continuous run times, look inside the catch can and see if there is any moisture or not ... shouldn't be any in that case.
and I don't think I would try to test for head gasket leaks unless it still happens without the short trip conditions and temp drops.Good Luck!
Thread Starter
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From: Republic of Texas
The kit comes with a plastic tube that fits inplace of your radiator cap. You put the blue fluid that comes with it in the tube. Run the engine, if the fluid turns to green or yellow, you have exhaust gases in the coolent. That means you have a leaky headgasket or a cracked head.
and while I'm at it replace a few things in the motor.Saturday is tune-day and the weather should be manageable. I'll check after the weekend to see if I get any more crap after i run my errands.
