Looking under a friends oil cap, scary?

[ltslimjim]

Okay, guys. For those who may have seen this in person, is what we have here a product of condensation(lots of short driving, 02 sensor and MAF need servicing), or could it be coolant?

Right now the vehicle, a 1999 Ford Expedition, is using Pennzoil High Mileage and the person may not have the vehicle more than another year(going to a more FE vehicle).

Still, they asked me about their engine codes related to the MAF and 02 sensor. I'm going to attempt to just clean the MAF for now and will replace the 02 sensor culprit. Any thoughts on the build up under the fill cap, though?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Hard to tell from this picture due to the use of flash overexposing some areas. If it's due to short driving, then take it for a good long drive (1+ hrs) and it should go away. If it doesn't, then it's possibly coolant.

I don't see how it would be MAF or O2 sensor related.

 

[05ChevyI5]

That's a short filler tube right on top of the valve cover. They don't normally show condensation.

 

[MNgopher]

Looks like a modular thats been short tripped and idled a lot - in below zero weather. (these are the engines that pop up every winter with folks wondering about the goo on their cap). Looks a bit much for an Atlanta garaged vehcile!

Check out the PCV system as well.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: 05ChevyI5
That's a short filler tube right on top of the valve cover. They don't normally show condensation.

Yes they do normally show condensation. If they would remove the extention and place the cap directly on the valve cover, I believe this would mostly disapear. All of these Ford 4.6 and 5.4s I have seen do this. However my 4.6 in a Merc GM where the cap attached directly to the valve cover never showed this goop. Reason is the extention allows condensation to form as it is further from the heat of the engine.

 

[bullwinkle]

Mystery coolant usage? I've read (maybe here?) that some Ford modular V8s are prone to this problem in winter?

 

[Chris142]

Does it taste like antifreeze?

 

[Sal69]

Looks normal too me for a ford project. Both my current and old f150s looked the same, one was a 5.4 and the current is a 4.2

I wouldnt be too worried, I would how ever let it sit for a while and check the oil for a nice frothy milkshake.

 

[daman]

Is it using any coolant? IF not then it's just condensation yes that heavy too I've seen it before get it out and drive it getting the oil hot and it'll clear that up.

 

[chubbs1]

WOW!! That looks like it could be coolant to me also, a friends Dakota blew the head and ruined the engine, it had a more green slime look but check for coolant consumption! If it is condensation that engine hardly ever gets up to temp. Take her on a good drive and change the oil after.

 

[MNgopher]

Note that the posters from Up North see this as normal in a modular, and those ffrom other parts of the country jump to the head gasket. Being an Atlanta vehicle, that engine must never get up to temp and be short tripped all the time to get that without some other issue. Just a thought...

 

[ltslimjim]

No coolant has been lost. I asked this lady about it before driving the vehicle home from work, old gal btw so trying to help her out. I don't have access to one of the two 'pre-cat' 02 sensors, but may replace one to help with her CEL. If it doesn't come back great, if not the other was/is also a culprit. I'm going out to clean the MAF sensor today, first, and reset the CEL to see if it's just the MAF sensor. This is all happening now, trying to beat sundown and any potential rain.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I cleaned up the goo and I do believe it's condensation. It had lots of air bubbles when I first pulled it bringing it home from work, but will have to take it back soon. I'll ask her to do a long highway run and see if it returns. Since no coolant is being used, it's probably just condensation, especially considering the posters saying this engine is known for condensation like so, and we just came through winter.

PCV valve could need replacing too.

 

[ltslimjim]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Note that the posters from Up North see this as normal in a modular, and those ffrom other parts of the country jump to the head gasket. Being an Atlanta vehicle, that engine must never get up to temp and be short tripped all the time to get that without some other issue. Just a thought...


Regarding other posters and this post, yes...the engine sees LOTS of short trips and they are all here in metro-Atlanta. I think she babies the car a lot too, so it's not getting up to temp fast during the short trips for sure(to try to save on MPG). Ironically, I'd tell her to try close to WOT for the first few runs to help it get up to temp but until the 02 sensors are replaced the car will stay in open loop.

 

[electrolover]

when your worried about coolant check the stick, if it doesnt show milk on the stick its probably not coolant. if you have a blown head gasket for example it pumps alot of water in the oil, so much that all of it will be contaminated.

btw my 5.4 does it too.

 

[Cause4Alarm]

i have seen HUNDREDS of ford mod motors with this. it on;y seems to happen to engines that take short trips, and it will go away with just one good long drive. i can say that i haven't seen any real damage from seems to be excessive moisture in the filler neck....

 

[Radman]

I had the same problem with a Chrysler I once owned. I changed the brand of oil I was using and the problem disappeared.

 

[OVERKILL]

Condensation. Drive the poo out of it for a while, get it nice and hot and it will go away. I haven't had it this winter at all, but that is primarily because I'm taking longer drives, and probably driving it harder, LOL!

 

[daman]

It's condensation.

 

[ARB1977]

I thought our Jetta was bad. During the winter months the car doesn't get to operating temperature. My wife has a 32 mile commute. During the summer months no problems. I've got a new thermostat waiting to be put in.

 

[Trav]

I get some every winter in my 99 Expedition,not quite that bad but enough that i was worried about it at first.
It seems most of them up here do this in winter.