White pasty substance on dipstick

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I have a 95 Escort 1.9L that I use for work. I notice when I check the oil I always have this pasty substance on the dip stick along with under my oil cap. I run 5w20 full synthetic high milage Valvoline oil. For the last 6 months the temperature has been mostly below freezing. My coolant seems to always be full as I've never had to add any and my oil level remains the same at all times. Wondering if it's just from the cold or possibly another problem. The car runs smooth doesn't knock or make any weird noises.
 
What's your driving regimen? Lots of short trips that never let the engine fully warm up?

Have you checked to see of the PCV system is working and pulling a slight vacuum in the crankcase?
 
Oil isn't getting hot enough in the cold weather to burn off crankcase moisture from combustion blow-by.
 
Heat always good in the engine. It's a 13 mile drive with most of the miles being 65mph highway with some gravel. The thermostat is always fully warmed up after 4 miles or so.
 
Originally Posted By: Weezybabydoll
Heat always good in the engine. It's a 13 mile drive with most of the miles being 65mph highway with some gravel. The thermostat is always fully warmed up after 4 miles or so.


Then I'd inspect the PCV system and maybe replace the PCV valve (usually cheap and easy). I assume the milky substance isn't the oil itself, but just accumulating in the "out of the way" spots in the crankcase?
 
Originally Posted By: Alex_V
Originally Posted By: Weezybabydoll
Heat always good in the engine. It's a 13 mile drive with most of the miles being 65mph highway with some gravel. The thermostat is always fully warmed up after 4 miles or so.

Then I'd inspect the PCV system and maybe replace the PCV valve (usually cheap and easy). I assume the milky substance isn't the oil itself, but just accumulating in the "out of the way" spots in the crankcase?


Yep, the areas that the condensation collects on are the cooler running parts of the engine ... ie, under the oil filler cap on the valve cover. In really cold weather, it might take more than a 13 mile drive to burn off collected condensation.

+1 on checking to make sure the PCV valve and hoses are in good shape.
 
Though you mentioned the coolant is warmed up after 4 miles, I've seen data where the oil is only fully warm after 9 miles.
 
Originally Posted By: Kestas
Though you mentioned the coolant is warmed up after 4 miles, I've seen data where the oil is only fully warm after 9 miles.


The gauge on the dash is pretty meaningless. I bet it takes a lot longer than 4 miles to actually be up to temp. My car in cold weather (that has a REAL oil temp gauge) can take HOURS to get up to full operating temp at highway speeds.
 
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I like the 150 mile idea better. 4K RPM and 80MPH FTW
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Besides this is Bitog,we like driving our cars. No ecomodder's on here, I hope
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I wouldn't willy-nilly go for a 150 mile ride just to bake the oil. The money wasted on gas would be better spent on an early oil change.
 
Sure, the coolant gets up to temp, but I'd guarantee your oil does not get hot enough in 4 miles to cook off the entrained water. My wife's Odyssey did the same thing, and even a half-hour drive wasn't enough to take care of it. You need a long, 50-60 mile trip that will let the oil get as warm as it can in regular use to cook off the condensate. I short-changed the oil because it had nearly filled the area underneath the fill cap.
 
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I wouldn't willy-nilly go for a 150 mile ride just to bake the oil. The money wasted on gas would be better spent on an early oil change.


Agreed. I would however make it a habit to go on a good 30 minute drive every week. Preferably one that is a little more fun that to and from work.
 
True about the thermostat. I'll have to take it on a longer drive on the interstate and see if it burns it off. Just figured a small engine that only holds 4qts of oil would be warned up real quick
 
Only spent$200 for the car it was a family members and only had 79k on the odometer for a20 year old car. She hardly drove it anywhere other than to the store. Had some nasty gas in it when I first got it. Been a good car otherwise besides a few oil spills when the slobs at the quick lube changed her oil.
 
Put 'er in neutral and rest a brick against the gas pedal? Just kidding.

Based on your signature, the Escort is the most fuel efficient vehicle in your bunch. Next time you need to take a long drive, use it and it should cook off any moisture in the oil.
 
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