Condensation on oil cap

[whytes]

Bought boat at end of June. Have put about 70 hours on so far. I check fluids every time I go out and when I come in. I also check oil cap for condensation. Has always been clean. Today, I changed the oil. Prior to changing I ran the engine for about 10 minutes with the muffs on in my yard. Changed oil, turned muffs back on and ran engine for about 5 minutes more. Shutdown and waited for about 10 minutes, checked dip stick, level was ok. Checked cap, condensation was present. Wiped it clean, put cap back on, let sit for about 45 minutes, and there was some condensation again on the oil cap. The oil I removed had no water. The oil on the dip stick looks fine. Could running with the muffs on for that long do something to cause the condensation? I'm very puzzled. Thanks.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Condensation on oil cap

Water is a by-product of combustion .. it will usually be evaporated by running the engine at operating temp for awhile. I wouldn't worry too much about it unless it shows up on the dip stick or used oil container.<br /><br />BTW, when that water combines with sulfur, it forms sulfuric acid; another reason to run the engine at operating temp whenever possible, and to regularly change oil.

 

[whytes]

Re: Condensation on oil cap

I read a couple of things in the SELOC manual last night. First it says that if the engine runs too cool, you might get some condensation in the oil and second, when running the engine with the muffs on, make sure the water is low pressure. So, could I have been running too much water throught the muffs, thus keeping the engine too cool and causing condensation? I did notice that when I was running the engine that the exhaust risers were very cold. Thanks for your help.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Condensation on oil cap

Not unusual at all for running on muffs.<br /><br />Now if you experience that after running hard out on the water... you have the beginning of a problem!