Ok guys, quick question....

This is the first car ive ever had to run synthetic oil in. I keep checking my oil and i see this, for lack of a better discription, a zit puss looking fluid on the dipstick and inside the valve cover on top.

The car is cold, i dont think ive checked it warm yet to see if this goes away.

i forgot if i put 5w or 10w 30 in it last time i changed it, i hve used both in the past.

I'm gonna use redline next time, 5w30.

but is this something specific to syntheic oils, or is it just a deposit of some sort because the car is still cold?

 

no, i havent noticed anything like that in my oil. its has been pretty cold as of late here in the bay area.. redline 5w30 would be excellent for our purposes.. it has better base stocks than other oils. although mobil 1 will do just fine as well.. redline is designed to do very well in cold and hot climates. next time when you get some redline put it in the freezer for 8 hours and see how well it pours... its really cool.

 

someone has too much time on their hands!

 

indeed!.. check out bobistheoilguy.com

they'll have info you need and other motor oil info you might not. its a very good oil based website...

 

Hmmm "zit puss" fluid is usually not a good thing. Is it really whiteish? Get the oil hot, then check again. Could be some odd addiditve in the oil you used, but it doesn't sound familiar. I have been using Mobil 1 syn for about 10 years, and have not ran accross that. I have also used Redline, Castrol, and a few others too.

Not to get you anxious, but when the head warps, or you blow a gasket, you often get coolent in the oil causing a milky looking substance. It will also build up under the oil cap. I can't believe that is your situtaion, but that's why I say "zit puss" is not good. So, get her hot, and check her again. Good luck.

 

its like a whitish substance, but its not really runny, its more like a sticky substance as it sticks to the cloth when i wipe off my dipstick.


hmm heads warping on a car with a CAI and a stock pulley? i'm finding that hard to believe

 

Have you checked your coolant levels? Noticed smoke in your exhaust?

If you get a chance, post a picture of what you're talking about. Whatever it is, it doesn't sound good...

 

The 'zit pus' look that shows up on valve cover interiors and dipstick tubes comes from moisture in the crankcases gasses (blow-by) condensing on these surfaces. Even an engine in perfect condition is susceptible to this when driven for short distances in very cold weather.

This problem gets much worse if there is a head gasket coolant leak, even a small one. Keeping tabs on coolant levels will confirm if this is the case. Other causes for this is excessive idling, wet weather operation, short trips, faulty thermostat, PCV valve/hose blockage (the hose collapsing is a common problem with the MINI, there is a recall) and ethanol blended fuels.

The MCS with it's hood scoop and cold air being blown across the top of the engine makes the valve cover cool and can promote condensation, but generally goes away after the engine is operating fully warmed up at highway speeds for several minutes.

If you cant get away from making lots of short trips, consider changing the oil in 5000 mile intervals in the winter. The moisture promotes acid formation in the crankcase and increased engine wear.

 

I think what you are seeing may be caused by condensation. Sounds like water in the oil, or more likely water condensing on the oil cap underside. Are you doing a lot of short trips in the cold weather? If so take her out & run her good until she's good & warm. Look at your coolant for signs of oil too. My guess is that condensation though. You might want to change the oil too.

Edit>> Aw heck, if i'd have taken time to read Greatbears well written post I wouldn't have posted. Doh!!!

Chuck

 

yeah, i only noticed this after my last oil change, about 900 miles ago.

I saw it on the end of the dispstick after i had drained the oil, but i didnt think anything of it.

i cant smell any oil in the coolant. my catch can hasnt picked up much, just a bit of water since my last oil change.

i make my usual trip to work, 15 miles or so, in the morning, then drive around a bit during the day, but not much more than that. it has been pretty cold out here lately too.

i ran it by my engine builder today, i just pulled the car into one of our bays and had him take a look. he just told me to wait and see if anything happens. so, i'll just keep tabs on my coolant for a while, and i'm going to try to take a drive down to summit racing this weekend, about 1 1/2 hours drive one way, so that should be sufficent to warm the car up and get it running for a while.