98 V70, did dipstick tube PCV snorkel, now I've got muddy oil

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 13 Feb 2016, 13:57

Hello, I pulled my dipstick about 7 months ago when it was warm to do a heater pipe snorkel to let the crankcase pressure out until I can replace the PCV system.

I ran the tube down to the radiator crossmember and zip tied it and basically just forgot about it.

I went to do my annual inspection, and figured I better remove it and put the dipstick back in. When I removed it, there was crusty tan stuff in the snorkel in the dipstick hole area and when I put the dipstick in and withdrew it, it looked like Guiness beer, pitch black with tan streaks.

After cleaning the stick off and reinserting it got gradually blacker. The coolant res is on the Min side and looks to be green and clear.

Is the tan residue in the dipstick area a result of having that snorkel tube on there for so long, especially from summer to now below freezing temps? The car has no other obvious signs of head gasket issues and runs fine. Thanks.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Feb 2016, 05:52

Oil and water mix, but not clear if it's from engine or just ambient vapour in snorkel.

If you are coming up on an oil change interval, you could drain crankcase and check for water in pan. If oil is fresh just put it back in.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 14 Feb 2016, 11:10

Yeah makes sense, but has anyone using the snorkel hose experienced this when they removed the hose?

Before using the vent tube 6 months ago oil always looked normal when I checked it

Post by **scot850** » 14 Feb 2016, 12:33

With colder weather and the tube being open it is most likely condensation as abscate says. You can get this with the dip-stick in place if you only do short distances, but you have left it open in cold weather so moisture will form as soon as the car starts to cool down.

Clean the tube and change the oil. If PCV has not been done it is time.

Neil.

Post by **erikv11** » 15 Feb 2016, 09:33

SonicAdventure wrote:Yeah makes sense, but has anyone using the snorkel hose experienced this when they removed the hose? ...

Unlikely you will find anyone using any kind of "snorkel" setup for more than a couple weeks. But you would expect to always all see a lot of mud in cold seasons, if the dipstick tube is open to the air.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 15 Feb 2016, 09:51

Probably just moisture getting in the oil from the open system. My cousin's Durango gets that foamy looking oil on his oil cap every now and again, it's nothing.
I'd definitely recommend replacing your PCV soon!