Ok I usually can tell when a head gasket is shot or when a manifold gasket is leaking but this one kinda stumps me..

Today I went to go check the oil in my car and all this crap is on the dipstick that looks like a cross between burnt coffee, a chocolate milkshake and umm diareha (sp?) on the part of the dip stick from the cross hatching and where the bends are up to near the handle. Aslo too on the very bottom of the dip stick their was this white substance that looks lile lithuim grease

So then I checked the coolant level and it was fine Just a lil bit low in the recovery tank. The radiator is completely full.

Any ideas what this might be before I go start tearing the engine apart after x-mas?

[edit] Forgot to add this... a few weeks ago I cleaned off all the rust on the dip stick near the handle with my dremmel and now it is back.. Also too their is always some for of chunks of crap on the dip stick too when I check the oil. Could the chunks of stuff just be from using crappy oil? (Pep Boys 0.$99 a quart stuff) Oil pressure is "ok" too from like 15 psi at idle when hot and arround 30 - 35 psi while driving.

Thanks!!

Kat

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90 RS 305 TBI A4
Dumb *** /**** poor/orginating memeber of the infamous NE Crew
Time to see, believe this in me,This pain that i feel deep inside

[This message has been edited by Kat (edited December 16, 2000).]

 

maybe moisture in the oil. is your pvc good? the dip stick sealed to the tube? i'd change oil and filter and run the engine a while and see what happens. if the oil preasure, compression, and the cooling system holds preasure i wouldn't take it apart untill i knew more about the problem.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd

 

I know the compression is good (the lowest was 170psi on #3 and the highest was 210psi on #8. The rest were arround 185-190 psi)

The oil pressure, as I said above is, when hot 15 psi at idle to 30 - 35 psi while driving.

The coolant pressure I dunno what it is at. On monday I'll go have that checked by a friend.

Yep the dip stick is sealed all the way as usual.

The PVC system ummm I have an open element so I shoved a breater into the valve cover. I do think that the PVC valve is shot tho. I havent changed that in a while.

Thanks Ede

Kat

 

Kat,

As usualy, Ed is correct. Your oil is turning into an emulsification of oil, water, acids, and varnish. Don't be so quick to blame the "cheap" oil. the PCV system needs to be fully functional to remove vapors from the case when the engine is operating. For this to occur, you need to have the engine at normal operating temperature. Short trips in cold weather can kill oil (and engines), so plan your daily excursions so that the engine gets a chance to get thoroughly warmed.

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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
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