thick white sludge on oil stick

[gregs]

Can anyone tell me what white sludge on the dipstick means? I guessing maybe water. I just got boat back running set up about 1 1/2 months. I got alot of water in engine compartment and ruined my (automotive) starter. But I dont know how I could have gotten water into oil. Its a 2.3 ltr ford 4 clyinder

 

[Boomyal]

Re: thick white sludge on oil stick

Water in the bilge would most likely not translate into water in the oil. What is the cause of water in the bilge?

 

[gregs]

Re: thick white sludge on oil stick

Had a hose come loose that supplies the engine with water.Instead it supplied water to engine compartment.

 

[KRS]

Re: thick white sludge on oil stick

Two things....<br /><br />First...If the water wasn't going to the engine, it may have overheated.<br /><br />Second...Milky oil always means water contamination, which means loss of lubrication, which means engine rebuild time... and the water will rust the bearings.<br /><br />If the water was high enough to cover the starter, then it could have gone into the dipstick.<br /><br />How long was the excess water in the bilge? You were boating and noticed 18" of water in the bilge? or what?

 

[deputydawg]

Re: thick white sludge on oil stick

It might depend on how much milky sludge is on dipstick. If it is just a small ring around the top of the dipstick or a slight streak toward above the oil fill line, it may just be condensation. <br /><br />If your loose hose was supplying the engine with water it is possible the engine heated and caused problems. The temp guage may not have shown an overheated engine. The temp guage measures the water temp. If you had no water in the block it would not read an accurate temp as the sending unit won't measure air temp.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: thick white sludge on oil stick

Originally posted by gregs:<br /> ruined my (automotive) starter.

I hope it was replaced with a marine starter!