I was topping off the oil today and discovered this for the first time. It is about the size of a quarter and is about the color of coffee with cream. Does this mean what I think it does?
Blown Head Gasket??
- Thread starter Hog Head
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Where are you located? Has it been really cold? Are you doing a bunch of short trip with the truck never warming up.
Need more info on the truck, PM and current driving conditions.
Need more info on the truck, PM and current driving conditions.
Mine was like that for 2 years before I did the HG as maintenance. If you are really worried get an oil analysis from Blackstone. I think it's just condensation.
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- #4
I am the 2nd owner and live in Eugene, OR where it has been cold and wet with some snow. The truck has always lived in Oregon and is mainly driven to and from work and probably does not completely warm-up as the drive is about 5 min each way. I need to flush the coolant system and other than the coolant being old, I can see no evidence of oil in the overflow bottle. It does not overheat when driven for extended periods. Other than a corroded + battery terminal, which I have fixed, the truck has been running quite well. The current oil has about 4k miles on it and is Rotella 5W-40. I use the large stock oil filter and I don't know what other info to include. Ask any specifics and I can probably give you the answer.
Thanks, Gene
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does the oil look normal on the dipstick?
It looks like condinsation to me as well, usually it will be MUCH worse with a blown HG, and you will see it in the valve cover as well (and on the dipstick).
It looks like condinsation to me as well, usually it will be MUCH worse with a blown HG, and you will see it in the valve cover as well (and on the dipstick).
Get the truck warmed up. Have a buddy run it at 3000 rpm. Take a look for a constant stream of bubbles in the over flow bottle. If no bubbles then IMO you are fine. Looks like water vapor condensing on the cold valve cover and cap. It's normal during cold weather if you never get the truck up to normal temp.
I have seen this under the cap in my truck too. It's a great excuse to go for a long drive.
I have seen this under the cap in my truck too. It's a great excuse to go for a long drive.
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When I checked the oil it loked like 4k mile oil should, a little darker but clean and clear.
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Thanks Cattledog and Firedog (and all the others who have responded of course). A little condensation sounds much better than a blown HG! Tomorrow I will get it warmed up and try the tests you guys have recommended
I guess what I would ask you is:
Are you always conscientious about checking under the oil cap, and now this suddenly appeared even though your driving habits, etc. haven't changed?
Or are you saying that just this one time you happened to look under the cap and that's what you found?
Curtis
Are you always conscientious about checking under the oil cap, and now this suddenly appeared even though your driving habits, etc. haven't changed?
Or are you saying that just this one time you happened to look under the cap and that's what you found?
Curtis
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- #10
I look under the cap every time I top it off. Last winter I had a 30-40 min commute one way and the oil under the cap was always clear. This winter it is only a 5 min commute and this was the first time I have had to top it off this winter and thus the first time I noticed the coffee/cream colored oil under the cap.
My commute is about 15 minutes of city driving and I've noticed that with my Scan Gauge it doesn't reach full operating temp until at least 10 minutes...at least in the winter weather. If your commute is only 5 minutes, you're definately not reaching operating temps and probably not even getting close.
Operating temp is about 185-190 degrees but the stock gauge reads in the middle at something like 160 degrees.
I'd go for that long drive. Maybe start up it and let it run for a few minutes before you leave for work and leave for home. I don't know if that's really worth it or not, though.
BTW, which RR do you work for?
Operating temp is about 185-190 degrees but the stock gauge reads in the middle at something like 160 degrees.
I'd go for that long drive. Maybe start up it and let it run for a few minutes before you leave for work and leave for home. I don't know if that's really worth it or not, though.
BTW, which RR do you work for?
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I started with Burlington Northern and I currently work for Union Pacific. I don't have a gauge to tell the exact temperature that I am running at, but the needle always stops at the same spot once at operating temp. Looks like I will be going for that long drive soon.
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Condensation.....a blown HG is usually diagnosed by milky oil and/or rough idle.
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The idle is as smooth as silk. The only place I have been able to find any of the creamy oil is that quarter size spot under the filler cap.
x2 on the condensation. I live in Portland and had a 2 mi drive to work for a while. I ended up starting the truck and locking the doors while I got ready in the morning to warm the poor thing up...
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I may have to do that until the weather warms up.
