head gasket

[d_OOT]

So I found some milkshake in my oil cap while changing the oil yesterday. The oil I drained look fine so Im assuming its a minor leak, but Im gonna go ahead and try to fix it before it gets worse. Just wanted to make sure theres no way it could just be condensation or somthin? That might be a dumb question, but I want to make sure before I start taking stuff apart.

[TerryD]

It's condensation from short trip driving. Not running the engine at temperature long enough to remove the moisture from the oil. What little does evaporate, condenses on the higher points (oil cap, breather tubes, inside valve covers) and you get that. Just keep an eye on it and try to get some longer drives in.

When I was driving 2.5hrs one way, twice a week, my Jeep didn't have any condensation problems. Now that I'm driving about 4 miles to work and back only a couple days a week, I'm noticing more water under the oil cap. I try to make a decent drive in it once a week to help get it out, but the only other thing to do is change oil more often. This is probably the #3 killer of old lady's engines out there. Don't know how many "It only has 40k miles on it and the engine went out..." I had to hear when I worked in auto parts.

[d_OOT]

This is probably the #3 killer of old lady's engines out there. Don't know how many "It only has 40k miles on it and the engine went out..." I had to hear when I worked in auto parts.

Thanks, so does the condensation just rust out the inside?

Hippy was pretty sure it was the hg, but I definitely don't drive it enough while Im in Blacksburg according to what you said, so I hope your right.

[TerryD]

It rusts the inside and lowers the lubricity off the oil. Are you loosing coolant? I don't doubt hippy knows his toyotas, but before I tore the head off, I'd make sure it wasn't something simple like condensation.

[BadAssEddie]

Yeah, check to see if the coolant level changes at all.

Don't listen to Hipster, he just gets off by thinking about people wrenching on Yoyos, so he's trying to get you to do work.

Nest then you know he'll tell you your Flux Capacitor is bad

[CJonLP]

I would recommend appling pressure to your radiator and seeing if it leaks down.

I suspect AutoZone or other parts store can rent the tool if you do not have one.

Just a suggestion.

[MtnToys]

I always thought milkshake = head gasket

Listen to Terry

If your head gasket ends up needing replaced don't stress it...it's not bad

[BadAssEddie]

I would recommend appling pressure to your radiator and seeing if it leaks down.

I suspect AutoZone or other parts store can rent the tool if you do not have one.

Just a suggestion.

This is a good idea. just make sure that your over flow is disconnected and the nipple blocked off on the radiator.

[Username]

There are kits out there to measure the presence of combution by products in the coolant. However, as others have said, this just sounds like condensation in the engine.

[d_OOT]

Not losing any coolant, Ill drive it around and keep an eye on it though. Definitely think Ill look into that leak down kit too. Thanks guys.