White streaks in motor oil.

[windshear77]

Hi all, I was draining the engine oil pan to replace the oil for the winter in my 1985 Mercruiser 140HP MR motor and near the end it came out with white streaks , see photo. Does this look like cause for concern? If there was water mixed into the oil, wouldn't it be a light brown color? I did change the exhaust manifold in the Spring.

Thanks.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Might just be condensation.

Can also be a failing exhaust gasket or a rusted through manifold that is starting to drop water into exhaust.

 

[windshear77]

Might just be condensation.

Can also be a failing exhaust gasket or a rusted through manifold that is starting to drop water into exhaust.

This reminds me that when I replaced the manifold, I forgot to retorque the manifold bolts per the manual when the engine was hot! Maybe that's what caused it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

im going with condensation. if you are winterizing, look at the oil in the spring after you run it a while.