White and brown goo on dip stick 1996 850 non turbo 125,000

alba93 · Post by **alba93** » 16 Mar 2007, 15:13

I've been seeing white and brown stuff on my oil dip stick. I know this can be an indication of a leaking head gasket. But I am also wondering if this could be soley due to condensation. I don't see anything unusal around the oil fill port. I do a lot of short trips, such as 3 miles then the engine is off for 30-40 minutes before another short trip. I rarley drive more than 10 miles without a period of cool down. I have needed to replace about 10oz of coolent recently. No other symptoms that I can see. Anyone know what I should expect to pay to have the headgasket replaced if it come to that?

Thanks!!

Post by **billofdurham** » 16 Mar 2007, 16:42

Your short trips will certainly lead to a build-up of condensation and it would show on the dip stick and, possibly, the inside of the oil filler cap.

Over what period of time did you lose the 10oz of coolant?

Bill.

alba93 · Post by **alba93** » 16 Mar 2007, 17:09

billofdurham wrote:Your short trips will certainly lead to a build-up of condensation and it would show on the dip stick and, possibly, the inside of the oil filler cap.

Over what period of time did you lose the 10oz of coolant?

Bill.

I added the 10oz of coolant at one time. My low coolant light came on. That was the first time I added coolant in at least a year, maybe longer. This happened a day after the car was inspected. I tried to determine if the inspection repairs would have necessitated removing any related coolant hoses, they replaced both front brake hoses and the Neutral safety switch. I don't believe any coolant hoses would have been removed for these repairs?
The 10 oz of coolant was added about 35 days ago. None needed since then.

Aside from my general concern about the head gasket, the goo makes it almost impossible to make an accurate oil level check.

Thanks for your response!!

bugeye58 · Post by **bugeye58** » 16 Mar 2007, 17:29

At what interval are you changing the oil? Short trips are hard on oil, as condensation never has a chance to boil off.
I'd do an oil change and continue to closely monitor things.
Jeff

alba93 · Post by **alba93** » 16 Mar 2007, 17:41

bugeye58 wrote:At what interval are you changing the oil? Short trips are hard on oil, as condensation never has a chance to boil off.
I'd do an oil change and continue to closely monitor things.
Jeff

I change the oil every 3000-4000. Should I be changing it more often? I drive about 10,000 miles per year.

Thanks!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Mar 2007, 18:41

Your oil change interval is fine...try to stick near 3K.
On the other hand, at least once a week, get the car out and really get it up to speed (and heat) on the highway for 30 mins at a time if possible. This should clear out your "milk shake" on your dipstick.

alba93 · Post by **alba93** » 16 Mar 2007, 19:04

MadeInJapan wrote:Your oil change interval is fine...try to stick near 3K.
On the other hand, at least once a week, get the car out and really get it up to speed (and heat) on the highway for 30 mins at a time if possible. This should clear out your "milk shake" on your dipstick.

Ok, thank for the advice!

bugeye58 · Post by **bugeye58** » 17 Mar 2007, 10:33

Isn't it wonderful when a nice drive can be considered preventative maintenance.

Jeff

Svenska 850 Wagon · Post by **Svenska 850 Wagon** » 17 Mar 2007, 12:44

This is the 1st car I have owned that shows this little wht goop on the end of the stick. More common in winter. It is after my wife drives 3mins to the store

bobsnow100 · Post by **bobsnow100** » 20 Mar 2007, 13:17

Yea, I agree that it is probably just condensation and your not driving the car enough to evaporate it out of the engine. Another big problem from not driving it enough is that your exhaust system can rust out from the inside out as water also will condensate in there too and it is very corrosive to the exhaust system