Condensation or Something Else?

[flipbro]

Well I run my boat today on the muffs for about 20mins pulled the dipstick and the oil looks nice and clean except the very tip of the dipstick has a little milk on it. i noticed when i take the cap off the valve cover the top of cap is milky oil also and alot of condensation on it. I also noticed the vent lines that run from the valve covers to the flame arrester have condensation dripping out of them. I can also see steam or smoke come out of them even out of the dipstick tube when i pull it (Running). This just dont seem rite to me But the oil looks good and it runs excellent. Is this much condensation normal?

 

[achris]

Re: Condensation or Something Else?

What engine, what year, what serial number....

If it has a dipstick tube that goes all the way to the bottom of the sump (and we'll only know that by model, year, serial number) the little column of oil in the bottom of the dipstick tube doesn't circulate like the rest of the oil. The oil under the fill cap is a better indicator.

Chris.....

 

[flipbro]

Re: Condensation or Something Else?

Sorry its a 5.7 1984 era. Sorry dont have the serial number on hand! I can see the oil under the valve cover it looks clean its just the bottom of the cap is like a white grease almost and beads of condensation and as stated the very tip of the dipstick has some white then the rest is clean! I should state that this block is a 3970010 block out of a 1970s truck that i rebuilt last year and was converted to marine engine and the dipstick is on the starboard side now and the tube DOES NOT go to the bottom of the pan now!!

 

[achris]

Re: Condensation or Something Else?

Get the engine nice and hot (a run on the river/ocean, not muffs), then change it and re-test. If it is condensation, then it should boil off. If it's a cracked block, it will get worse... You're in Canada, yes? Lots of weather cold enough to freeze an inadequately winterised engine (filled with anti-freeze without first having COMPLETELY drained the block and manifolds is, in my opinion, inadequate)....

Chris.....

 

[flipbro]

Re: Condensation or Something Else?

Chris yes i do live in Canada (Southern ontario) An yes very cold hear. I do not use anti freeze just pull all 4 drain plugs poke with wire and make sure i get all the water been doing this way for 10 years and never an issue. But yes that was my plan to take it to the lake and run it but i may change the oil first since it is last years still! Thanks again!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Condensation or Something Else?

Chris yes i do live in Canada (Southern ontario) An yes very cold hear. I do not use anti freeze just pull all 4 drain plugs poke with wire and make sure i get all the water been doing this way for 10 years and never an issue. But yes that was my plan to take it to the lake and run it but i may change the oil first since it is last years still! Thanks again!

Howdy,


At the end of this boating season when you're ready to winterize again, you should change the oil so you do not have old & possibly contaminated oil sitting in the engine all winter!

Cheers!


Rick