wtf is this???

lukasmcdukas · 11-05-2009, 09:59 AM

i changed the oil on the roomie's car yesterday, and when i opened up the oil cap, it had a thick ring of gelatinous orange goo underneath it. it looks and feels like semi-congealed jell-o, and its been appearing for the past 3 oil changes. anyone know whats causing this? i'll post some pics this evening (forgot my camera) so yall can really see what im talking about.

BernieB · 11-05-2009, 10:26 AM

Let me guess... Using DexCool anti-freeze?

vansdonk · 11-05-2009, 10:28 AM

Probably water. My old Rover does that if it has been raining for several days or if it is super humid for a while. I have already checked for leaks by putting the front tires on jack stands ( where the radiator cap is higher than engine), take the cap off, let truck run until running temp, and look for anything resembling boiling or bubbles in radiator. Of course, it will boil/bubble if car is over heating. Or there could be a crack/hole so small as to not produce bubbles for this short time. But IMHO, it's water/anitfreeze contamination.

BernieB · 11-05-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vansdonk

Probably water. My old Rover does that if it has been raining for several days or if it is super humid for a while. I have already checked for leaks by putting the front tires on jack stands ( where the radiator cap is higher than engine), take the cap off, let truck run until running temp, and look for anything resembling boiling or bubbles in radiator. Of course, it will boil/bubble if car is over heating. Or there could be a crack/hole so small as to not produce bubbles for this short time. But IMHO, it's water/anitfreeze contamination.

Boiling or bubbling like you describe is usually caused by a blown head gasket. You can easily confirm this with an exhaust gas analyzer. Just put the tip over the radiator cap opening and watch the readings. If it's a blown gasket you'll see it.

vansdonk · 11-05-2009, 03:44 PM

Didn't have one of those. Sounds like less work.

leolkfrm · 11-05-2009, 06:34 PM

what kind of oil are you using?

vansdonk · 11-05-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leolkfrm

what kind of oil are you using?

If you are asking me, '69 Series IIA: 10-40, '74 MG: 20-50 Summer/10-40 Winter.

hotrodpc · 11-05-2009, 09:48 PM

Yep, I may not go as far as Head gasket YET, but likley an upper intake manifold gasket problem. Need to get it fixed ASAP or it will soon be blown headgasket from overheating if not already, and if driving much with more cooling system in the oil, eventually seize the motor since water or antifreeze does not lubricate. Is it by chance a GM 60 degree V6, like a 3.1 or 3.4? Very common problem in those engines. Just plan on changine upper intake gaskets about every 70,000-80,000 miles like clock work. Maybe a bit longer if you switch to the GREEN stuff and get rid of Dex Cool. Dex Cool (Orange Stuff) is hard on seals and gaskets.

lukasmcdukas · 11-06-2009, 09:34 AM

running valvoline 5w30 at the moment, not sure what was in it before... its a 99 jetta, could be running dex cool, i'll check... car doesnt have any issues with overheating or even running hot, no loss in power... im thinking about bringing it to the shop and havin em do a coolant flush, fuel system flush, and oil flush (?) to blast all the systems clean and start with all fresh stuff... sorry yall i forgot to post pics. maybe tonight...

hotrodpc · 11-06-2009, 09:38 AM

I am not real familiar with the Germies. Can't say I'd be much help.

11-05-2009, 09:59 AM	#1
lukasmcdukas Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kittery, Maine Posts: 574	wtf is this??? i changed the oil on the roomie's car yesterday, and when i opened up the oil cap, it had a thick ring of gelatinous orange goo underneath it. it looks and feels like semi-congealed jell-o, and its been appearing for the past 3 oil changes. anyone know whats causing this? i'll post some pics this evening (forgot my camera) so yall can really see what im talking about. __________________ 97 Nissan Hardbody SE Kingcab (77k) 86 Yamaha Maxim X (48k)

11-05-2009, 10:26 AM	#2
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,901	Let me guess... Using DexCool anti-freeze? __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

11-05-2009, 10:28 AM	#3
vansdonk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NW Washington Posts: 94	Probably water. My old Rover does that if it has been raining for several days or if it is super humid for a while. I have already checked for leaks by putting the front tires on jack stands ( where the radiator cap is higher than engine), take the cap off, let truck run until running temp, and look for anything resembling boiling or bubbles in radiator. Of course, it will boil/bubble if car is over heating. Or there could be a crack/hole so small as to not produce bubbles for this short time. But IMHO, it's water/anitfreeze contamination. __________________ '69 Series IIA 109 '74 MGB '04 Disco II Last edited by vansdonk; 11-05-2009 at 10:28 AM. Reason: wording

11-05-2009, 03:44 PM	#5
vansdonk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NW Washington Posts: 94	Didn't have one of those. Sounds like less work. __________________ '69 Series IIA 109 '74 MGB '04 Disco II

11-05-2009, 06:34 PM	#6
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	what kind of oil are you using? __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

11-05-2009, 09:48 PM	#8
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,145	Yep, I may not go as far as Head gasket YET, but likley an upper intake manifold gasket problem. Need to get it fixed ASAP or it will soon be blown headgasket from overheating if not already, and if driving much with more cooling system in the oil, eventually seize the motor since water or antifreeze does not lubricate. Is it by chance a GM 60 degree V6, like a 3.1 or 3.4? Very common problem in those engines. Just plan on changine upper intake gaskets about every 70,000-80,000 miles like clock work. Maybe a bit longer if you switch to the GREEN stuff and get rid of Dex Cool. Dex Cool (Orange Stuff) is hard on seals and gaskets. __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

11-06-2009, 09:34 AM	#9
lukasmcdukas Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kittery, Maine Posts: 574	running valvoline 5w30 at the moment, not sure what was in it before... its a 99 jetta, could be running dex cool, i'll check... car doesnt have any issues with overheating or even running hot, no loss in power... im thinking about bringing it to the shop and havin em do a coolant flush, fuel system flush, and oil flush (?) to blast all the systems clean and start with all fresh stuff... sorry yall i forgot to post pics. maybe tonight... __________________ 97 Nissan Hardbody SE Kingcab (77k) 86 Yamaha Maxim X (48k)

11-06-2009, 09:38 AM	#10
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,145	I am not real familiar with the Germies. Can't say I'd be much help. __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search