Slight light-colored froth in oil. What's going on? (Pic inside)

[nedfunnell]

I just drained my oil after 6000 miles in my 1990 Camry. (Spec drain interval is actually 7500) It was name-brand API SN rated oil, although I don't remember which brand. It's not the Valvoline NextGen that just went in.

I'm concerned about the light-colored froth that is on the oil. What does that mean?

Warning: Full-size and unrotated image: http://www.majhost.com/gallery/Ned/misc/img_2115.jpg

 

[JCH13]

Could be moisture and/or coolant.

Was the engine hot, or at least warm, when you drained the oil?

 

[nedfunnell]

Slightly warm.

 

[JCH13]

I'd have to guess that there is coolant leaking into you oil system somehow. Maybe a blown HG, but it's more likely a secondary system unless you've noticed that the car has been way down on power lately.

Can you check your coolant level?

 

[LTC8K6]

How often is this car driven, and for how long each time?

 

[JCH13]

How often is this car driven, and for how long each time?

I see where you're going (I think). If the engine is never brought up to operating temps for a reasonable amount of time to steam off moisture in the crank case, then you might be accumulating water in the oil. Quite possible.

 

[Zenmervolt]

As others have said, it's water in the oil. Most likely coolant (condensation usually appears mainly on the dipstick as a result of condensate in the dipstick tube, I don't usually see it to that degree in the drained out of the pan).

I'd say to check the head gasket. While massive head gasket leaks can definitely cause running issues, I've seen cars before where the head gasket started to leak but the car continued to appear to run fine (other than a mysterious very slow loss of coolant) for a couple thousand miles until the gasket finally "let go" in a big way. These cars even passed coolant system pressure checks with flying colors.

ZV

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

was there white smoke from the exhaust?

Does the coolant overflow have oil in it?

 

[nedfunnell]

I'll check the coolant when I get home- about to go out on a long-planned date. Driving a different car.

The car is driven as a commute daily (7.5 mi each way) plus errands, plus a 400-mi round trip weekly. I just parked it last night from the first leg of this trip, and it was certainly up to temp.

No notice in power decline at all.

 

[LTC8K6]

Ah well, I was hoping to save you...

 

[SilthDraeth]

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php

Or if that site isn't legit, order an oil test kit from amsoil or some other reputable site, and test the oil. I would dump a bit of that back into an empty oil jug to send off.

 

[thescreensavers]

^ That site is very legit.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

^ That site is very legit.

FWIW I dunno about 'very' legit, but it's the most legit consumer testing place. I read a few years ago about someone testing their test, sending the same sample in numerous times over a few year period, and got fairly varying results (he supposedly mixed the batch well before drawing each sample). Not trying to rag on your post, just a heads up I guess.

That being said, I use them often and trust their results for home mechanic type stuff. I've sent in some wierd samples without telling them what was up and was satisfied with the results.. Things like a motorcycle that ran WAY rich, and the sample was verified to have excessive fuel.


OP... As others said, definitely water/coolant in oil. That looks more than just moisture accumulation to me.

 

[Pulsar]

FWIW I dunno about 'very' legit, but it's the most legit consumer testing place. I read a few years ago about someone testing their test, sending the same sample in numerous times over a few year period, and got fairly varying results (he supposedly mixed the batch well before drawing each sample). Not trying to rag on your post, just a heads up I guess.

That being said, I use them often and trust their results for home mechanic type stuff. I've sent in some wierd samples without telling them what was up and was satisfied with the results.. Things like a motorcycle that ran WAY rich, and the sample was verified to have excessive fuel.


OP... As others said, definitely water/coolant in oil. That looks more than just moisture accumulation to me.

We build engines and test oil where I work, and varying results are quite common no matter what you do. It's the nature of the beast, and the unfortunate side effect of a small sample size.

 

[yhelothar]

Put a few drops of the frothy oil on a hot exhaust heatshield. If it snaps and crackles, then it means there's water in the oil.

 

[Doppel]

trade it in, stat

 

[LTC8K6]

I wish the reflection of that green bottle wasn't there.

 

[Howard]

I wish the reflection of that green bottle wasn't there.

It's not algae?

 

[hdfxst]

I wish the reflection of that green bottle wasn't there.

the trees aren't helping either.
If you haven't dumped the oil let it sit in the pan a day or two and the water/coolant will separate and go to the bottom then pour it out slow.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I concur with others that it looks like coolant in the oil. Could also be leaking from your Intake Manifold Gaskets. Especially true if the gaskets are made of plastic.

 

[SuperSix]

No way that's just condensation.

I vote for head gasket/intake gasket, myself.

 

[nedfunnell]

Hmm. Troublesome. This car is disposable at this point, and I plan to drive it until it is undriveable. I looked in the coolant reservoir, and it looks darker than I expected. The coolant in the radiator itself seemed to be the bright green I am used to, but that could just be the lighting. Has anyone changed an intake gasket before? It looks like it should be pretty easy on my engine, but are looks deceptive?

 

[Gillbot]

As others have said, it's water in the oil. Most likely coolant (condensation usually appears mainly on the dipstick as a result of condensate in the dipstick tube, I don't usually see it to that degree in the drained out of the pan).

I'd say to check the head gasket. While massive head gasket leaks can definitely cause running issues, I've seen cars before where the head gasket started to leak but the car continued to appear to run fine (other than a mysterious very slow loss of coolant) for a couple thousand miles until the gasket finally "let go" in a big way. These cars even passed coolant system pressure checks with flying colors.

ZV

This was my thought.

Put a few drops of the frothy oil on a hot exhaust heatshield. If it snaps and crackles, then it means there's water in the oil.

You can use a piece of foil and a good lighter or other decent flame source too.