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I backed my 8 out of the garage and did the fog light rewire. I started the engine a couple of times to make sure I did the for light rewire job right. I waited about 10 to 15 minutes and checked the oil level. I pulled the dip stick out, wiped it, re-inserted and pulled it out again. The dip stick had white foam with the oil all over it. I did the procedure again with similar results. The bottom bent end of the dip stick had a drop of foaming looking oil on it as well. The oil smelled like it had gasoline in it. The outside air temp was around 54 degrees.
The 8 has about 1500 miles on it. Oil level was 1/2 quart low. The car had been driving 24 hours earlier.
I would suspect if I were getting water into the oil the oil level would rise.
I'm hoping this condition is caused by cool temperature and no warm up.
Can anyone out there help?
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Yup - there's quite a few threads about this. It's common enough, especially for short trip usage - basically, it's condensation within the engine that isn't getting burned off (engine not getting hot enough for long enough). Browse around, or search for 'oil' threads, you'll see them.
Regards,
Gordon
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___________________________________ 2004 Ti Gray RX-8 - Canadian GT, 6 speed, no moonroof, delivered July 22, 2003 1996 Miata leather package, soon to be faster than the RX-8...
2002 Audi allroad wagon - 2.7 twin turbo, 6 speed manual trans
The theory about condensation is probably true (and happens with other vehicles too) but I've also noticed this phenomenon and it only happened after an oil change and a 25 minute drive on the highway. You would have thought that the engine had plenty of time to warm up and the oil was brand new.
It appears that the Renesis is susceptible to water condensation, maybe due to a cold spot near the dipstick. I'm not so sure warming it up will get rid of the milky oil in the winter time.
In any case, it appears to be common. Only time will tell if it causes problems long term (e.g. corrosion).
Dont get too attached to the 'short trips' theory. I commute over 20 miles to work and rarely do a trip of less than 5 miles. I have had this white residue since day 1. Havent heard anything to say it is a problem, but what is mysterious is than some owners in the UK get it, others have never seen it.
And dont get too alarmed if your whole dipstick is covered in it, it may be that you dragged it through the build-up at the rim. Wipe it all off, from the stick and the tube, and do it again, 2 or 3 times if necesssary. If its still in the oil, I think you do have a problem.
Burnt about 1.5ltrs of oil so far - but on my latest check have Creamy white foam on the shaft of the dipstick - Oil itself looks clean (slightly darker than new) but i'm worried by the foam.
Level is at (or about) the high mark.
Looks as if it *could* be water ingress at the rubber dipstick seal but there seems to be a bit much foam for that.
Had the lid off the coolant tank - there appears to be a slight oily film ontop in there too
Dealer says 'bring it in' (no-brainer)
Anyone else seen anything like this - or able to offer re-assuring words.
Oh yeah, lots of us have this frothy, cappucino-like foam also. In many cases, it seems to have first occurred when air temps fell below 50 deg. F or so. (it didn't happen to me last summer) I'd say do a search on "foam" or "froth". Probably condensation.
Some say it is normal, but in my case, the froth is making it difficult for me to check my oil level, and I'm not about to change my oil every damn time it happens; that would mean daily oil changes! My coolant level hasn't gone down, so I think i'm ok there.
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Phew- that's a bit of a releif - its certainly cold(ish) here (about -3c at night and only about 4c daytime - (don't know what that is in F)
I'll probably drop it by the dealer anyway - they're only a mile down the road - it's shame they don't appear to have the knowlege that's available via this forum
This does seem to be a "common" occurance. There's another Tech Garage thread "Oil & water mixed".
I wonder if synthetic oil does the same thing.
It seems to me if there is condensation (water) in the oil it would lead to problems in time. I have a hard time accepting an oil and water mixture in an engine and it be a normal thing.
On the "water in oil" theory, I put small sections of cardboard in front of my oil coolers to alleviate the problem. I did this when the average ambient temp was LESS than 50 degrees. Although my stick is still loaded w/ junk the engine warms up much quicker and revs in the cooler weather like it is summer outside.
Originally posted by Efini 8 can u define the term "MILKY" please?
It looks like capuccino froth all the way up the dipstick. Put the dipstick in and out a few times, wiping it each time, and that will get rid of it from the dipstick tube and then you can read the oil level. The oil itself looks fine.
I just saw this today for the first time and was pretty worried until I read this thread. Might get the dealer to take a look at it anyway but looks like it can wait until after the holidays.
I do fairly short trips and it has gone cold here (around freezing) so I guess I fit the pattern.
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If you do a search for "milky dipstick" you'll find several other topics on this subject already. I believe it is just condensation and not cause for alarm.
ummm.. I think some tetracycline will clear that right up.....
Seriously, thanks for the pics. The (paint? anodization?) on the dipstick is still a mystery too. I wonder if it was used to reduce this "condensation" tendency?
Megareds pics looks like an oil/water emulsion. I'm not sure how the water source can be condensation unless you don't insert the dipstick all the way in. I'm having a hard time believing that anybody on this board would be that sloppy. Megared, I wonder if you would get an answer from NA Mazda if you emailed those pics to them?
That " stuff" on my dipstick?
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