Update: 5W-30 & Heavier Recommended RoTW (44 Viewers)

[FrazzledHunter]

Is it too late to send a sample off to Blackstone?

Brownish stuff in oil is usually what it looks like when water and oil mix. I’m not saying that this is what your seeing but it does seem strange to have build up in there of anything other than just oil running through it.

I cleaned out the filter housing so it's too late for analysis.
Didn't think of it.

Hmmm. Regarding water oil mix: coolant leak? Like maybe at the head gasket?
It seems too early mileage-wise for me to worry about that.

My plan is to change the oil again fairly soon like in December (we have only one more towing trip this fall) and see if it re-appears.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Good ? You think it was sludge in your housing, or insinuating contaminated oil from saturated air filter? What oil filter did you run?

Did you fire off a used oil for analysis? If not, do so if it’s an option.

Save your filter, dry it out, (cut it open), and post it at bitog forum imo.

Regardless, I’d change your oil and filter early on this run. If no analysis possible from your big trip, get one from the new oil currently in it.

I mentioned the dust because I'm wondering about contamination from dusty conditions.

• The oil filter was Toyota OEM which I still have.
• EDIT: The used oil is still available as it's in my container which was empty before I drained the oil so it shouldn't be too contaminated with prior oil dumps.
• The used oil is NOT available - the container was 1/2 full of previous oil dumps. Nuts.

I do plan on changing the oil very soon to change viscosity back to 0W-20 and to see what's going on in the filter housing.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Is it too late to send a sample off to Blackstone?

Brownish stuff in oil is usually what it looks like when water and oil mix. I’m not saying that this is what your seeing but it does seem strange to have build up in there of anything other than just oil running through it.

Any coolant consumption? What did it look like under the oil fill cap?

Can just the filter be sent out for analysis?

 

[open country]

What I noted in the bottom of the oil filter housing after I removed the filter and dumped the oil from it was a beige/khaki colored paste at the bottom. Not a lot, maybe 1/8 in thick with the consistency of cream cheese at room temperature. I have never seen this before.

I've seen this color/consistency under an oil fill cap on several vehicles after a short run cycle where it wasn't run long enough to burn off condensation. In that case, nothing to worry about, however at the bottom of the filter housing is an interesting spot. Usually that color/consistency means a mix with water.

If it were me and everything is running fine, I'd monitor and if you see the same thing on your next oil change, raise the alarm.

 

[bjowett]

BTW, I did the Venza aluminum oil filter housing conversion taking the tall center tube from the OEM plastic housing and installing it in the Venza housing.

What I noted in the bottom of the oil filter housing after I removed the filter and dumped the oil from it was a beige/khaki colored paste at the bottom. Not a lot, maybe 1/8 in thick with the consistency of cream cheese at room temperature. I have never seen this before.

The oil was dark colored but did not smell burnt.

I did change the engine air cleaner about 1/2 way through the trip (after we left Moab) as it was filthy.

So, what's the guess as to what’s the beige/khaki colored paste I found at the bottom of the oil filter housing?

I’ve seen this before, usually on heavy use and/or long-ish oil change. The aluminum housing cap makes it more noticeable. Some discussion of it on Tacoma world back in 2019, though no real resolution to the phenomenon. Update about the sludge in oil filter - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/update-about-the-sludge-in-oil-filter.624002/

Best guess is try a different brand or shorten the OCI with the M1 under those conditions. I’d continue to use 5W30 or 0 if you need the extra flow for the cold.

 

[Artie]

I cleaned out the filter housing so it's too late for analysis.
Didn't think of it.

Hmmm. Regarding water oil mix: coolant leak? Like maybe at the head gasket?
It seems too early mileage-wise for me to worry about that.

My plan is to change the oil again fairly soon like in December (we have only one more towing trip this fall) and see if it re-appears.

Agreed that it is far too early for head gasket issues unless you’ve had a severe over heating event. PCV issues can cause this under the oil cap but as @open country said, in the filter housing is a strange place to find it.

Was this the first run with the Venza cap modification or have you been running that for a while. Im just spitballing here but figured its worth exploring since its not stock and related to the lubrication system.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I've seen this color/consistency under an oil fill cap on several vehicles after a short run cycle where it wasn't run long enough to burn off condensation. In that case, nothing to worry about, however at the bottom of the filter housing is an interesting spot. Usually that color/consistency means a mix with water.

If it were me and everything is running fine, I'd monitor and if you see the same thing on your next oil change, raise the alarm.

Everything's running fine AFAIK. That's my plan for now. The change interval was way longer than usual due to the trip.

I’ve seen this before, usually on heavy use and/or long-ish oil change. The aluminum housing cap makes it more noticeable. Some discussion of it on Tacoma world back in 2019, though no real resolution to the phenomenon. Update about the sludge in oil filter - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/update-about-the-sludge-in-oil-filter.624002/

Best guess is try a different brand or shorten the OCI with the M1 under those conditions. I’d continue to use 5W30 or 0 if you need the extra flow for the cold.

Interesting. My plan is to go back to 0W-20 in a few months for the cold/winter and then have another look-see. As for a different brand I was thinking of the "HPL" brand for the short winter interval. then looking at it again.

Agreed that it is far too early for head gasket issues unless you’ve had a severe over heating event. PCV issues can cause this under the oil cap but as @open country said, in the filter housing is a strange place to find it.

Was this the first run with the Venza cap modification or have you been running that for a while. Im just spitballing here but figured its worth exploring since its not stock and related to the lubrication system.

No overheating event. I have run with the Venza conversion for a few years and probably have over a half dozen oil changes with it.

The thing that still gets me it that the stuff at the bottom of the filter was like paste - it did not pour out with the oil. It did not feel gritty nor did I see metal flakes. I scooped some with my finger and then spray cleaned it with Gumout. Gumout dissolved it instantly.

The thing that still gets me it that the stuff at the bottom of the filter was like paste - it did not pour out with the oil. It did not feel gritty nor did I see metal flakes. I scooped some with my finger and then spray cleaned it with Gumout. Gumout dissolved it instantly.

Many thanks for the replies & help guys.

 

[mceagle555]

I also run the Venza filter housing conversion and switched to 5w-30. I've seen the "tan milkshake" under the oil filter cap, but never in the bottom of the housing. My guess is that it was condensation or possibly the start of a coolant leak (Check the normal spots - Valley plate and/or drips on the bell housing of the transmission.)

I spend some time on a different oil-related forum and I'm going to try running Valvoline's Restore & Protect (VRP for short) for my next few oil changes. While my 2008 LX570 has service history every 5k miles at Lexus from first owner & I've done DIY ever since owning it, I do want to see if it helps a 17-yr old engine with 188,000 miles on it.

I'll post an oil engine analysis once I eventually switch over to VRP.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I’ve seen this before, usually on heavy use and/or long-ish oil change. The aluminum housing cap makes it more noticeable. Some discussion of it on Tacoma world back in 2019, though no real resolution to the phenomenon. Update about the sludge in oil filter - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/update-about-the-sludge-in-oil-filter.624002/

Best guess is try a different brand or shorten the OCI with the M1 under those conditions. I’d continue to use 5W30 or 0 if you need the extra flow for the cold.

WOW. I took a look at the website you posted. The first post is EXACTLY what it looked like. Mine was a little deeper, like I said, maybe 1/8 in.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

As much as I hate these paper filters and long for the metal canister type of filter I had on my 2000 100 series (and my 1985 Chevy K5 Blazer before that) it occurs to me that if there were sludge in the oil filter you would never see it.

Maybe there's a silver lining to these paper filters after all.

 

[Artie]

As much as I hate these paper filters and long for the metal canister type of filter I had on my 2000 100 series (and my 1985 Chevy K5 Blazer before that) it occurs to me that if there were sludge in the oil filter you would never see it.

Maybe there's a silver lining to these paper filters after all.

Yes, this style filter is messier but far superior just for the simple fact that you can check the pleats.

 

[Zill]

Thought this thread was the proper one as it involved oil other than the “recommended” 0W-20.

We just got back from our mega Western trip 6/1/25-8/7/25. The trip was 8600 miles driven with 5600 miles under tow.
Many of the towed miles were mountainous with the engine working hard. Overall, we did a lot of driving and towing in extremely dusty conditions.

I changed the oil and filter before we left on 5/18/25 (33848 mi) with 0W-30 Mobil 1 full synthetic and after we returned 8/19/25 (42781 mi) with 0W-30 Mobil 1 full synthetic, total 8943 mi. Prior to the oil change before we left, I had only run 0W-20 Mobil 1 full synthetic.

BTW, I did the Venza aluminum oil filter housing conversion taking the tall center tube from the OEM plastic housing and installing it in the Venza housing.

What I noted in the bottom of the oil filter housing after I removed the filter and dumped the oil from it was a beige/khaki colored paste at the bottom. Not a lot, maybe 1/8 in thick with the consistency of cream cheese at room temperature. I have never seen this before.

The oil was dark colored but did not smell burnt.

I did change the engine air cleaner about 1/2 way through the trip (after we left Moab) as it was filthy.

So, what's the guess as to what’s the beige/khaki colored paste I found at the bottom of the oil filter housing?

9k miles is fairly long for an OCI. I like to keep them under 5k if possible, and also swap over to using Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. Mobil 1 is a fine oil, but Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is on another level for the value and wear protection it provides.

Let’s see if that gunk is building up after that

 

[bloc]

These engines are well-known for being easy on the oil. I’d be shocked if any damage was caused by using mobil1 vs another product. Even the OCI is within what the book says is acceptable, though I accept the evidence that repeating this for the majority of OCIs can cause rings to stick and resulting bad things to happen.

My solution to the long-road-trip problem was to have a dealer along the route change the oil on mine. I brought the fluids and parts so it didn’t cost much, locked my glove box, and verified all the skid bolts made it back to their spots. In 30+ years of working on cars that is the single time I’ve trusted someone else to do that work.. they did fine, but I won’t make a habit of it.

 

[TeCKis300]

I agree that is sludge precursors as a result of the long OCI combined with high load use. The filter is doing its job.

No harm no foul but I agree changing the oil early this round would be a good idea.

 

[stonepa]

I fly also, having a DHC Beaver and a Piper Meridian. This article about oil testing seemed relevant beyond just piston-driven aircraft engines.

A CLEAN ENGINE OIL ANALYSIS REPORT CAN BE FALSE “PEACE OF MIND” AND HERE’S WHY.

If you’re an aircraft owner, then chances are you’ve had an oil analysis done on your engine oil before. Why did you request an oil analysis? Was it recommended to you by another pilot, or your mechanic? Or, were you told that having an oil sample sent in for analysis will give you “peace of...

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