hey guys, i changed the oil on mine today at 5k miles, and there was a whitish green residue in the cap and filler neck, so im sure its in the valve covers too. called the service manager at ford, told him i make all short trips, he said its condensation inside the valve covers, says not to worry about it. well i am worried, cleaned the cap and neck, took the cap back off today and there is a little more residue and water droplets inside the cap!!! now i have never seen this on a car that didnt have a problem, just checking to see if anyone else has this problem?? it doesnt seem "normal" to me at all...

 

If you only make short trips it's going to happen.You need to run the truck about 20 minutes to have enough time to boil ot most of the moisture in the engine.

 

Absolutely correct.

You will always have a certain amount of water vapor in the engine, and when it's colder, like winter, your engine needs more time for "heat soak" in order to flash off that vapor. As it mixes with the oil vapor, you will get it collecting at the cooler parts, mainly your filler neck and cap. It really won't be on the inside of your valve covers because the oil splashing around will rinse it off.

It really is nothing to worry about. It will go away when the weather warms back up, or if you do as digipax recommended and let your truck warm up longer. Still, it's not going to hurt your engine any. It has no effect on the oil itself. You need not worry about it unless you really want to drive yourself bonkers.

I just changed my oil, and my filler cap looked more like a small jar of creamy Carmex. First time I've had it happen on this truck, but it's been very cold lately.

Blessings!

 

I've always wondered how they made that stuff.

 

Some condensation is perfectly normal. So long as you don't have a milkshake when you check the oil on the dipstick, you'll be alright.

 

I agree with what the other posters have said. I have seen this in some of my engines as well. If you ever see something that resembles chocolate milkshake on your oil dipstick, then you're in deeeep doggie doo That usually means a cracked cylinder head or a blown headgasket.

If you make all short trips, this falls under the 'severe engine use' conditions in your owners manual. I'd strongly recommend keeping your oil changed every 3,000 miles if you're not already doing this now.

Scott

 

yeah i changed the oil once at 3000 and just threw some AMSOIL series 2000 in it the other day at 5000. i know i should be warming my truck up, but i dont GET UP 20 mins before i have to be at work i work about 3 mins away from the house. i try to let it warm up some at least now. if i let it heat up every once in a while, will it burn off the crud thats in there already??

thanks for easing me everyone!!

 

It should evaporate that water in summer. Not likely in winter. The filler neck it too exposed to cold air and too far away from heat source.

There is always water in every engine. It's a by product of combustion. It evaporates when the engine warms up. The shorter your trips, the more water you'll see on the cap. Try and drive 20 miles at least once a week.

 

All you experts can kiss my butt. There should't be any blue, green(antifreeze) or any other colored lather under any valve cover oil cap... If so then the head gaskets are shot big time and letting cooling water into the "sealed: cooling system...

 

WRONG!!! In the colder weather it is perfectly normal to get a milky residue under the filler cap. The only cure is to make longer trips to get the engine fully warmed up.

 

Total BS....

 

Yes, big time blown head gaskets will only show residue on the oil filler cap, and not in the crankcase, with no evidence of a low coolant level in the degas bottle, and no overheating of the engine with no steam coming out the tail pipe, and no running problems.

Some condensation is normal.

 

Having experience with head gaskets that were "shot big time" in a '78 Dodge Magnum the whole experience was pretty dramatic and obvious in a way the original poster is not seeing. I agree with the others who say it is normal for his driving style. As long as he is not seeing the "chocolate milk" and a distinct lack of coolant in the overflow he's fine.

 

If there's a milky residue on the dipstick then that's a whole different story. Some condensation in the upper parts, such as valve covers and filler cap is normal for short trips in cold weather. Moisture collecting in the crankcase is bad news and requires investigation.

 

Just a note,

These trucks don't use the blue/green antifreeze. It's the yellow/orange stuff.

No, it's not the head gaskets. Yes, it's internal condensation.

Expert? Yeah, pretty close, thanks.