2001 F-150 Supercrew w/4.6L Romeo, 4WD - has 108,000 miles, oil/filter changed every 3,000-4,000 miles since new.

I just noticed a thick milky-looking sludge on the bottom of the oil filler cap and in the oil filler neck. I'm in northern California where the night temps do reach the low 30s, and at times, my only trips are very short (less than 5 miles). I did seen a thread or two about colder weather and shorter trips resulting in "mayonaisse sludge". Even before I changed the oil, it looked fine, I didn't notice any milky sludge on the dipstick, and I don't notice anything unusual in the coolant overflow bottle. Engine/driving performance is normal.

A few questions:

1) How likely is it that I MAY have a head gasket problem?

2) What type of test(s) can a repair shop do to see if it is a head gasket or related problem?

3) Is there some sort of "secret" Ford recall or service program related to bad head gaskets?

Thanks.

 

this is common if you make short trips mine has that stuff on the cap unless i drive for more than 30 mins it goes away. as long as that isnt on the dipstick or when you drain it out your fine. it doesnt get very hot on the cap so it makes that werid slugde stuff....can we make this a sticky so many people post threads about this.

 

Its condensation in the cold engine at start up. When you do short runs it does not get hot enough to evaporate. Mine does it some times also. Like shift 85 said if its not on your dip stick or in the oil your golden dont worry be happy and do longer runs

 

Same truck, same miles, mines looked like that every winter since new. November 'till the end of March, and I ave. 30 mile trips one way to work 5 days a week.

 

I just changed my oil on a 2004 FX4 and saw the same thing. Not in the oil, just on the top of the oil cap and fill neck. Temps in MS aren't really that cold, but I do a lot of short trips.

 

Yep thats where mine shows up every now and then. Like i say only seems to show up when i do a few short trips.

 

i just notice the same thing a couple of days ago

 

I had the same issue. before each oil change i add the engine cleaner and since ive been doin that the sludge has never returned.

 

Can we make this like a sticky? this comes up alot...if its not on the dip stick your fine....if it comes out this color when you chage your oil you have a prob. if your oil comes out black your fine.

 

Indeed, completely normal, even if you don't make short trips in the truck. Start the truck up any time it's below 60 and damp, pull it into the garage, shut it off, and remove the cap. Odds are it'll look just like that. Completely normal and entirely harmless.

 

I vote for the sticky!!!!

This is a common problem, (not really a problem) in the winter time.

Look on the bright side. This is an excuse to drive your beloved for a little more every week. Take the wife on a long Sunday drive! (she doesn't have to know it is for the advantage of you and the tight relationship with you and your FORD!) LMFAO!

 

Ever since we (ford) went to the extended filler neck in plastic the goo appeared. My theory is the neck being extended away from the engine causes the cap and neck to run cooler (causing condensation) being out in the open like that plus no direct oil splash from the cams. We get customers coming in from time to time freaking out until we explain it.