Hey! I'm new to this forum. I'm actually at bimmerforums, but I joined for a question that has my friend really worried. He owns a 04 rx8, but last time we decided to go to pep boys to do a quick oil change. An hour passed and we get a call from the mechanic that we have water in the oil and can't do the change.

The end of the day we decide not to do it and we head back home, I looked a couple of forums about what might cause it. The thing is that the car doesn't overheat nor makes weird stuff at all though it has trouble starting it, sounds like he might need a new battery. Some of the forums say that it's because of the cold weather and some type of chemical reaction happening, I can't really remember what the forums said. Anyways, I'll leave some picture and you guys decide what can it be, thanks for the help. My friend does not speak English so that's why I'm posting this for him. Thanks in advance! :D

 

Search Milky dipstick. This is likely just that but the picture is not very good, it's hard to tell. But if you are worried, you can do a coolant pressure test or just take an oil sample and send it to blackstone Labs and get it tested for $20.00. The test kits are free.

 

If the only 'evidence' is foam/moisture on the dipstick, then stop panicing, this is entirely normal for RX-8s, and it burns off quickly when the engine is driven hard. Your friend can pay a lot of money to a dealership to reduce the moisture condensation if he wishes, but it's not enough to have any significant accumulation even in 3,000 mile used oil analysis tests.


However, if there is another source of 'evidence', then the indication of a coolant seal failure would be higher, and your friend will need to pull an oil sample and have it tested for coolant to be sure. Coolant is very different from 'water' in an oil test.


Chances are he is fine though.


But also tell him that the factory temp gauge is useless, you can have engine damage from overheating (220F-234F) without the gauge ever moving (starts going up at 235F). Get a proper water temp gauge or use an OBD2 electronic gauge (which is accurate) if he really wants to be sure his temps are always under control.

 

Oh, that is the dip stick in the picture. Yes that is the milky dipstick issue, and it's fine, you do not have coolant in your oil.

 

I suggest you drain the oil yourself, take a good look at it. See what the oil looks like. If it's just a few drops on the dipstick, I wouldn't be nearly as worried as I would be if the oil looks like chocolate milk.
Good luck.

 

Cool thanks, it does leak water inside from the passenger side also, I think it's just the A/C. I'm not really familiar with this engines, in my opinion I think they are pretty awesome but I don't really have that much of a knowledge. Thanks again!

 

A water leak in the cabin wouldn't be the same source of water that is on the dipstick, unless he set up a custom cabin oil sprayer system...

 

Yeah, what they said..

Have your friend join up. Tell him he gets a free beer. Then tell him to read the 2 threads in my signature. The Congrats thread is very relevant to the 04. If they join and read, it will be more than worth the price of the beer.

And, get rid of the pistons, joint too.

 

Be sure you identify the leak.
If it's plain water it could be condensation or an actual leak from the windshield or window seal.
You can pour water around those to check.
If it's coolant/antifreeze, the heater core could be leaking, which could eventually lead to a nasty failure inside the car, or even overheating from coolant not circulating properly through a rusted core, possibly even leading to engine failure.

 

on the pass side floor? if so search ducklips on this site. no im not joking, theres a small ac vent thing on the firewall. its in the middle almost at the bottom close to the trans

 

Hahaha appreciate much mate! I really want a first gen of the RX7, it would be in my future plans later too. I wish my friend could join, but he does not speak English so I'm not sure if he would understand the posts.

 

Welcome to the forum