Is this what I think it is?

[gr8shot]

I'm hoping this isn't the dreaded coolant and oil mixing together. I bought this car with 197k and brand new hg's and lim and uim gaskets. I can't image they'd be going out again in 40k. And besides that, I actually drive the car pretty easy, it spends 95%+ of its time at 65-75mph as I use it to commute about 120 miles and about 2 hrs drive time a day.

 

Little more background, its a 96 cutlass, 3.1v6, currently has about 238k on it. Gaskets done at 197k. I have been stretching out my oil change intervals and sending in samples for analysis. The last analysis was at 226k and didn't show any coolant in the oil. They suggested trying 7k or a little more for the next sample. I had about 7300 miles on this oil when I changed it but I didn't tale a sample, was going to do so next time. This is what I found on the cap and when I stuck my finger in the oil fill hole a little more came out too. I didn't see any buildup like this on the valves that I could see, and there was none on the dipstick either. I cut apart the oil filter expecting to find something and it looked normal.

 

So what is this goop?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[urbex]

Yep... That's oil and coolant mixing...

 

Do you know, when the gaskets were replaced were the intake gaskets metal ones that were put on? If not, they will go bad again. I had mine replaced in '07, and about 40k miles later it went a few months ago...

[RobertISaar]

that seems to be water mixed with oil....

 

there wasn't any of that crap in your drain pan? it's possible that it's just condensation that attaches to the filler cap after shutdown, it happens in the winter.

[gr8shot]

I drained the oil and it looked perfect which is why I was kind of baffled. I would tend to think its water as well not coolant, except that the vast majority of the time I drove the car is very long time spans, so there shouldn't be water anywhere due to the motor being up to temp for long periods of time. But I suppose when its shut down water can condense and form that crap.

 

As to the gaskets, I don't know. They guy I bought it from specifically buys these cars with bad gaskets, repairs them and resells them. He also said he'd repair them for someone if I knew anyone who had the same problem, as he's done hundreds of them. Seemed like a pretty intelligent guy so hopefully he used the right gaskets. He didn't want to sell the car I bought because it was in such good shape he was going to keep it for his own DD. But I twisted his arm lol.

 

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[RobertISaar]

But I suppose when its shut down water can condense and form that crap.

 

bam.

 

i'd keep an eye on the oil, wipe the cap out once or twice a week and see if keeps happening.

[gr8shot]

Will do. It'll be probably 3 months before I get to the 7k mile range for my next oil change, but I'll be sending a sample in from that one for analysis, that should tell the rest of the story. Plus it'll be warm by then so I'll be able to see if it stops showing up by then as well.

 

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[gr8shot]

anyone else have any opinions?

[Turbocharged400sbc]

condensation

 

happens alot more the shorter the trips/drive cycle

 

if the engine is at cruise speed for an hour its enough to evaporate. trips less than 20/30min or without part throttle cruise (high flow position of pcv valve) tend to have condensate.

 

your fine

[alec_b]

I'd agree with condensation. If you're game, take a quick taste. No joke. Just a little bit and be prepared to wipe your tongue, but if it's sweet it's coolant. If not, it's just water.

 

If there's nothing in your oil and nothing in your filter I'd be willing to bet you're fine.

[Venom]

I see that stuff a lot when doing oil changes on cars that are only driven in town and never get up to operating temperature a lot of the time. As long as that crap isnt coming out your drain plug you have nothing to worry about. Maybe at youre next oil change run some cleaner through it before you drain the oil.

[GM Guy]

Have you checked you trans fluid? Very possible the cooling piece inside the tank is cracked and will have the same sludge build up which is why you have none in the oil. Trans fluid seems to generate a whiter color than the typical engine oil mix. While the trans line pressure is high when running it probably won't get coolant in the trans if its a small leak but can draw in coolant when not running and will totally mess up your trans.

[GM Guy]

Missed the part about being on the oil fill hole but still worth checking if it is the original rad.

[gr8shot]

I have been checking the trans fluid pretty regularly as the pan gasket developed a leak recently and I've had to add a little fluid now and then. It seems to be fine, still nice and bright red.

 

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[urbex]

How is your coolant level?

[gr8shot]

Its pretty constant. It goes down just a little bit over time. But I attribute that to my shitty water pump install job last winter. I had one of the bolts break off and I busted the threads trying to get it out. So its held in by four bolts and a buch of rtv instead of 5 bolts and the gasket. I have had to reseal it once already when the rtv gave way and it started leaking. But its hardly lost more than maybe a pint since I resealed it this fall.

 

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[Schurkey]

You shouldn't build up that much mousse unless something is not operating properly.

 

First two things I'd be checking:

1. PCV system--plugged PCV valve, missing or disconnected hoses. Engine is not ventilated properly.

 

2. Thermostat stuck open, engine does not get up to proper operating temperature.

 

AFTER you've verified both of the above, you can start thinking about coolant leaks into the oiling system.

[gr8shot]

I'll take a look at the pcv system. The thermostat is working properly, as there's no issues with the motor getting up to temp.

 

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[Crazy K]

take a look at the seal between the lower intake and the head and poke it. if it feels like rubber, you have the good gasket set. if it is plastic, you have a crummy gasket set.

 

Ihad to redo the first 3100 intake I ever did, which was done with the crummy plastic gasket, just before metal ones came onto the market.