Just had my oil changed and the mechanic pointed out that there was foam in the oil filler cap and neck. I do a lot of short hops and I know it is better to let the engine heat up with a good run but I'm 10 minutes from work. It is not a problem in the summer weather but here in cold country there is a problem with short drives. Anyone else have this problem?

 

foam could also be from the oil being overfilled.

what was the dipstick reading?

 

You might search the engines forum on this one... I know I've seen this mentioned before...

 

Could be just overfilled. Could be antifreeze (lets hope not)

 

I will be willing to bet that it is probably condensation (from all of those short hops) building up in the upper parts of the engine, valve covers, oil filler cap etc.

I have also seen this mentioned in the forum before. I had an old 4 banger truck that would do this when the weather turned colder.

Scott

 

These threads always appear when the weather cools down. The engine isn't warming up enough to burn off the condensation, nothing to worry about. If you can't keep it running long enough to properly warm up, you may want to consider changing the oil more often during the cooler months to prevent that moisture from turning to sludge. This can cause the oil pickup to become clogged/restricted and affect oil flow to the engine. This will happen over time of course, not over night.

 

That reminds me, its time to take out the 5w-30 and put in the 0w-20 for the winter!

 

haha i posted about this last year, its ok, just means its not warming all the way up. when you take a long drive it will burn off. there is none of that white stuff in the valve cover, it just collects in the oil filler cap, since thats the last part to heat up enough to burn it off

 

The foam in the oil filler pipe and oil cap have been around as long as there have been hot engines parking in cold weather. It is just a matter of the heat and cold creating condensation, which can only be seen to the viewer in the oil filler pipe/cap.

I do suggest you change your oil more often in the winter because this foam indicates a collection of moisture in the inner engine.

I first noticed the condensation in 1966 while I lived in Wash DC with my Thunderbird.

 

It is my 10 minute drives to work in the cold weather. I will have to make a point of doing a longer drive once a week or so - thanks for your response.