Its a 1992 chevy truck with 185,000. I have not noticed any problem with the engine; runs smooth and has power. I check oil about every 2 weeks; it wasnot there then. After driving it I checked it again and it was barely noticeable on the dipstick.
If anyone thinks they know what it is please include if you think it is a minor or major problem and if I should do something immediately with the truck running good. Also noticed small air bubbles on the dipstick. Any thoughts?
2007-01-13 03:09:38 · 11 answers · asked by Mark 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Creamy light brown substance is water in the oil. You have a leak in your system somewhere, either head or intake manifold. Or it could be a crack in the block , head or manifold. Check the water level in the radiator also, most likely this has gone down. Get this checked right away. If its a gasket it is an easy fix. If its not it gets more serious and expensive. Its not condensation if you notice a color change like you mentioned. You should not drive it until its fixed. Sorry
2007-01-13 03:18:41 · answer #1 · answered by mark t 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone who said you have water in your oil is right. The guy who said there's transmission fluid in your oil scares me, because someone might believe him. Water gets into the oil either by condensing inside the block, getting spashed in there somehow if you hit a mondo puddle or if you water-blast your engine to clean it, or by a blown head gasket or cracked water jacket in the block or head. Either way, change the oil and keep an eye on it. There are cheap tests to check for a blown gasket or a cracked head, like putting a pressure gauge on the radiator filler neck. If it pulsates when the engine is running, you have at least a compression leak, which can be caused by a blown head gasket or a cracked head or block. The reason it is foamy or bubbly is because the oil is getting mixed with the water because the inside of your engine is like a blender, but since the two don't mix, you get what you are describing. At the very least, change your oil frequently, because water is a lousy lubricant and it causes rust and corrosion.
2007-01-13 13:39:15 · answer #2 · answered by Me again 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The light creamy oil is actually oil and water mixed. It sounds as though once you drive it a while it goes away, correct? That's because the heat of the engine evaporates the water into vapor and it is removed via the crankcase ventilation system. This could be caused by some thing as simple as condensation forming on the inside surfaces of your engine during long periods of inactivity (those 2 weeks you mentioned) or it could be as serious as a blown head gasket! My money's on the first scenario though. Two things are required for condensation, moisture and temperature change. Are you parking in a unusually damp location? Can you park in a more stable environment such as a garage?
2007-01-13 11:21:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
ooops might be a leak in your system,, change the oil now and watch it,, if it happens again then you got a crack somewhere in your block, oh and by the way it will run good,, but it will also destroy you engine in the process by breaking down the oil and not lubricating the bearings
2007-01-13 11:13:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
change the oil. run it for a while check to see what it doing. if its still doing this . it cound be a cracked head or a cracked head gasket and some coolant is getting in the oil. or it cound be a clogged pcv valve,
2007-01-13 11:19:41 · answer #5 · answered by sliverhddriver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you also notice your anti freeze level dropping with no apparent leaks, I would suspect intake gaskets. If you let it sit overnight, then remove oil pan drain plug BEFORE STARTING IT, you may see some antifreeze. (antifreeze is heavier than oil and if you start it it will mix with the oil, then separate overnight.)
2007-01-13 11:34:12 · answer #6 · answered by done wrenching 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
water in the oil my man. with 185000 miles on the motor very possible could be a few things cracked head or blown head gasket.
2007-01-13 13:37:05 · answer #7 · answered by scott29 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's called "milk of magnesia" when your dipstick has a milky dilute in the oil. What you have is a mix of transmission fluid in the oil, and that comes from leaking transmission seals.
Bad news. You need a transmission rebuild - prepare to shell out several hundred dollars.
2007-01-13 11:14:04 · answer #8 · answered by Stuart 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Have an oil analysis done on the current oil, that will tell your for sure.
2007-01-17 10:46:32 · answer #9 · answered by Brian C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bad news!...that's water in your oil...with all those miles...probably a head gasket...300 to 400 at a garage
2007-01-13 11:13:46 · answer #10 · answered by Robert P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋