I have a 99 camaro i took off the valve covers and their is a milky substance on the top. Like oil and water.?

Question

i'm in the middle of changing out the intake manifold gaskets on a 99 camaro v6 3800. While i was taking the valve covers off i noticed alot of milky stuff all over the right valve cover where the oil fill is. I was just wondering what it could be or if changing the intake manifold gaskets would fix it. I changed the oil not too long ago and their was no water in the oil pan or on the dipstick. so i dont know if its the head gaskets or what. Any help would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Sounds like you have an internal headgasket leak between your oil and coolant channels. Bad news.

When the coolant get's into the oil it gets a milky look and sticks, generally, to everything especially the top end.

Answer 2

You could have a developing head gasket problem, but before you panic: Does the car get heated up thoroughly most of the time? Cars that don't will often show some of what you're talking about because they don't get a chance to remove internal condensation. If this might be the problem, give it a few good long runs and see if that makes a difference. If not:
Check for coolant in the oil (again) by loosening the drain plug and letting a spoonful of whatever is in there drip out slowly. Look for an oil sheen on your coolant, and get a mechanic with a sniffer to check the coolant for exhaust, or at least watch for bubbles yourself. You could also have the cooling system pressure-checked, but a lot of shops overpressurize and damage radiators or heating cores.
Actually, now that I re-read your question: Aren't there coolant passages in that manifold? If so, and it's been leaking at the gaskets, you might be able to see a leakage track, and you should be able to seal it up with the new gaskets.

Answer 3

That is signs of a bad intake gasket or head gasket. Before going any further i would do a compression leak down test to determine if it is the head gasket. If it was condensation the oil would not be milky cause it needs a source to mix it and the ratio of water to oil to turn it milky color has to be alot higher than what condensation would supply.

Answer 4

That milky stuff is water mixed with oil, without a doubt. The question is where is it coming from? My guess, if there is no similar presentation on the dipstick you have a leak around the valve cover gasket and replacing this should resolve the problem. If the problem persists you may want to consider a head gasket leak which will also mix oil and water.

Answer 5

i visit assure you that needless to say 3/4 of the automobiles on the line in the iciness instruct the appropriate white condensation scum under the oil fill cap this is the coldest spot of the engine. in case you're taking the vehicle on a one hundred mile intense speed holiday many of the condensate could have disappeared. Too undesirable Harley stress isn't any mechanic. we've 3 automobiles that have continually had Mobil1 in the crankcase. one and all of them has white soup under the oil fill cap in the ineffective of iciness. we are speaking -18 F. this morning. It is going away whilst the temperature is going decrease back up.

Answer 6

If it's confined to the oil fill area don/t worry about it, it's condensation that is quite normal in this area. The hot air from the crankcase contacts cool air from outside and causes condensation. This usually happens when you park overnight and the next time you heat the engine it goes away and you never notice it.

Answer 7

Probably just condensation if its on just the side with the filler cap. I had the same thing happen with a 98 Olds with 3800 once.

Answer 8

That's signs of water condensate and the need to ventilate your crankcase better. Check your Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve or replace it and make sure the PCV hoses are open and breathing.

Answer 9

Just condensation... no worries