Sludge under oil cap, help! (2 Viewers)

[Bryanmc]

Just discovered this while doing an oil change. A quick Google suggests a leaking head gasket, which is new territory for me.

What should I do immediately? Clean the cap and spout and complete the oil change? Or leave it drained while troubleshooting?

The drained oil and dipstick looked normal, BTW.

 

[fuqtodd]

I too have seen this before. In my case it was due to the exceptionally short drive I have to the office. Once I get it out on the highway or up to full temperature it goes away. Looks to be just condensation mixed with oil. Nothing to worry about in my case.....

 

[TimCFJ40]

This is very normal, especially if you do short trips and don't get the engine hot enough to evaporate any residual moisture. I would not worry.

 

[Bryanmc]

Ah, ok. I do have very short commutes and it’s 40 degrees here which is not typical.

 

[AnyMal]

Im the king of short trips and never seen it through frequent checks.
spitballing here but how many miles on your pcv?
It does seem excessive though.

 

[Bryanmc]

I’ve never done anything with the PCV, so I don’t know. 142K on the truck.

 

[AnyMal]

I’ve never done anything with the PCV, so I don’t know. 142K on the truck.

Thread 'Replace that PCV valve'
Replace that PCV valve - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/replace-that-pcv-valve.1234695/

read that page

 

[AnyMal]

Thread 'Replace that PCV valve'
Replace that PCV valve - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/replace-that-pcv-valve.1234695/

read that page

this post

Post in thread 'Replace that PCV valve'
Replace that PCV valve - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/replace-that-pcv-valve.1234695/post-13531678

 

[Bryanmc]

Thanks for that. PCV valve ordered!

 

[mdh384]

Go for a good hour long drive and check it again. Most likely condensation build-up from short tripping the vehicle.

 

[04UZJ100]

Run around in 2nd/3rd gear at 5k RPMs for a few miles. It will go away.

 

[gaijin]

View attachment 3171738View attachment 3171739

Just discovered this while doing an oil change. A quick Google suggests a leaking head gasket, which is new territory for me.

What should I do immediately? Clean the cap and spout and complete the oil change? Or leave it drained while troubleshooting?

The drained oil and dipstick looked normal, BTW.

As others have mentioned - time to change your PCV Valve!

HTH

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Need to go on longer trips at operating temp to allow combustion moisture to vaporize out of the oil

 

[AnyMal]

Run around in 2nd/3rd gear at 5k RPMs for a few miles. It will go away.

This happens to you on your newer trucks? What oil weight you run?

 

[04UZJ100]

This happens to you on your newer trucks? What oil weight you run?

No it doesn’t. It’s happened to my 4Runner which warms up via idling a lot in Chicago and is driven locally most of the time. It’s caused by condensation accumulation in the crankcase - not really from a malfunctioning PCV. Condensation accumulates from the oil not reaching full operating temperature over multiple thermal cycles.

5W30 synthetic M1 or Castrol in everything

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

No it doesn’t. It’s happened to my 4Runner which warms up via idling a lot in Chicago and is driven locally most of the time. It’s caused by condensation accumulation in the crankcase - not really from a malfunctioning PCV. Condensation accumulates from the oil not reaching full operating temperature over multiple thermal cycles.

5W30 synthetic M1 or Castrol in everything

^This.

 

[AnyMal]

There needs to just be a pinned PSA to run 5W.

 

[Bryanmc]

As it happens, this is the first oil change that I switched to 5W30. Not what made the sludge, that was 0W20.

 

[04UZJ100]

As it happens, this is the first oil change that I switched to 5W30. Not what made the sludge, that was 0W20.

Sludge will happen regardless of brand and weight. Even Gucci Amsoil will sludge.

 

[AnyMal]

Sludge will happen regardless of brand and weight. Even Gucci Amsoil will sludge.

Do you run catch cans in any of your rigs? / believe in them?