White oil on dipstick?

SHAKIBOXCARJOE · Post by **SHAKIBOXCARJOE** » 30 Apr 2008, 16:50

I have a 96 850 and it runs strong but when i check the oil it has some milky white oil on it. ive changed the oil since then and nothing white came out of the oil pan. if anyone has any clue let me knowl
thanks

Post by **JRL** » 30 Apr 2008, 17:29

Drive it HARD for a few days then change the oil.
This is common with cars that;
1: have been driven around town and not gotten HOT
and
2: generally winter driven cars.
Now that it's warm do as I suggest, you should be fine

Post by **Maxbaby** » 30 Apr 2008, 17:59

You're seeing condensation which as JRL said comes from a car that isn't being driven long enough... It's not getting a chance to run at a completely warmed up temperature which doesn't allow the condensation to evaporate. Short trip driving does this.

chuckcintron · Post by **chuckcintron** » 30 Apr 2008, 20:15

Clogged PCV system will also blow moist crankcase gases out through dipstick, sometimes giving the same effect.

When you remove the dipstick and put a small plastic bag (better yet an un-inflated ballon) over the dipstick tube, if the blow-by causes it to inflate you've got positive pressure, which is not good.

-Chuck

crazy_frog · Post by **crazy_frog** » 01 May 2008, 15:59

Chuck do you know if the Haynes book refers to the PCV as something else?

I plan on changing my PCV at some point. I have read the link and that is helpful.

When you talk about the balloon test how long should we leave the balloon on for and if it fills are you saying that that is a sign of a bad clogged PCV?

Thanks,
Chris

SHAKIBOXCARJOE · Post by **SHAKIBOXCARJOE** » 01 May 2008, 21:31

i drive it everyday but it is usually just a few miles and i have taken it on long trips but i checked it today and everything seemed fine but i think i should still check my pcv.
thanks for the help.

chuckcintron · Post by **chuckcintron** » 02 May 2008, 07:18

Not sure what Haynes calls the PCV, but if they cover it they would have it in their 'emissions' chapter. IIRC they don't do a very good job of describing the repair procedure...better to search here to find it.

There should be neutral or negative pressure at the dipstick, so any hint of inflating is cause for concern. Sometimes you don't even need the balloon test; you can look across the top of the dipstick tube (dipstick removed, of course), and see puffs of vapors/smoke coming out of it if the system is clogged.

-Chuck

crazy_frog · Post by **crazy_frog** » 02 May 2008, 16:42

that is helpful thanks.