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Engine condensation

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Posted by: jimbob

Hi guys,

When i check my oil, im noticing a small amount of creamy white gunk on the end of the dipstick (like oil with water in it) but when i drain the oil, there appears to be no trace of water contamination, and im certainly not loosing any coolant. Is this normal?, im guessing not. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

Thanks

Posted by: OldSchool1

Hi.
Water in the oil normally means the begining a complete head gasket failure or an open Positive Crankshaft Ventilation system. Make sure that your PCV system is connected and sealed.

Is the seal on your oil filler cap good?

hmmm

Posted by: NYC LS8

If you do a lot of short trips and/or don't drive the car a lot, condensation can build up. If you're not losing any coolant, you can rule out leaky head gaskets.

Posted by: Lincolnlov

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbob

Hi guys,

When i check my oil, im noticing a small amount of creamy white gunk on the end of the dipstick (like oil with water in it) but when i drain the oil, there appears to be no trace of water contamination, and im certainly not loosing any coolant. Is this normal?, im guessing not. Any ideas on what could be causing this?
nks

Jimbob,

Looks like you have already gotten advice from two of the real gurus for Mark VIIs (and now LS's for NYC).
I've been changing oil for a neighbor lady who runs her lawn tractor motor for 5-10 minutes every month or so. In the spring she has accumulated enough condensation in the motor to get the same result as you have, white foam. Tried to tell her that she needs to get the motor hot -- but she doesn't quite get it. I've heard a rule of thumb that says you need to go 15 miles before the motor is really up to operating temperature,

Posted by: jimbob

Hi Guys,

Well my daily commute is 6 miles each way, so i drive 6 miles first thing in the morning, leave the car all day and then drive 6 miles back home!

When i visit my GF though, she lives 10 miles and i stay over, so it is not often the car goes further than 10 miles before completely cooling down again.

The amount i am getting is minimal, there is no trace in the oil when i drain it.

I will check the filler capo and PCV though, i had also read that the PCV can cause problems like this..its just so damn hard to get at on these cars!! I also read a thread on a Mustang forum about adding a 2nd PCV valve in the drivers side valve cover, have any of you tried this?

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

Why do you need a second PCV? The first one works just fine.

Posted by: bufordtpisser

For the small trips that you take, that amount of condensation that you are getting is completely normal. You should also be changing your fluids on a severe duty schedule.

Posted by: jimbob

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshMcMadMac

Why do you need a second PCV? The first one works just fine.

The reason it gave was that of flow rate, but it may have been refering to hi-po motors

Posted by: jimbob

Quote:

Originally Posted by bufordtpisser

For the small trips that you take, that amount of condensation that you are getting is completely normal. You should also be changing your fluids on a severe duty schedule.

I change the oil and filter every 6 months, is this enough do you think?

Posted by: bufordtpisser

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbob

I change the oil and filter every 6 months, is this enough do you think?

If you are going 6 months without putting 3000 miles on it, then I would do it every three. I use synthetics in my Ram, but then most of my driving is highway. I do 100 miles a day, and my oil gets a chance to burn off any condensation that may be in there. What you are doing with yours is getting the motor warm enough to cause the temperature change that causes condensation, but not hot enough to burn it off. And without getting it to a proper operating temperature, you will also not enable the engine to burn off the acids that are a by product of combustion and this will allow sludge to form and cause engine damage in the long run. I know some people want to keep the miles down on their cars, but without frequent oil changes, they are doing more harm than good. Our diesel trucks can go 20000 miles between oil changes because the oil is almost always hot enough to eliminate condensation and to burn off contaminates.

Posted by: OldSchool1

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbob

...
I will check the filler capo and PCV though, i had also read that the PCV can cause problems like this..its just so damn hard to get at on these cars!!
...

Not impossibly hard to get to ...

Read this: http://thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/php...st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Posted by: jimbob

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldSchool1

Not impossibly hard to get to ...

Read this: http://thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/php...st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I did pull it out once to check it still worked (it still rattled anyhows, which i was told indiacted that it still worked) but it must have took me a good 30mins to get the gromet and valve back in trying to contort my hand around all the pipes/hoses and wires that hang out back there!!

Where can i buy a relacement screen though? is it a dealer only item?

bufordtpisser: Thanks for the oil advice, im thinking i should change it more often now, i am doing around 4000 miles every six months (how often i change the oil). How often would you reccommend i change it on this kinda mileage? I am also thinking about an electric fan conversion, im guessing this would help the situation as the engine can get up too proper temperature more quickly.

Posted by: OldSchool1

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbob

...
Where can i buy a relacement screen though? is it a dealer only item?
...

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