Yep pretty common for rotaries to have some condensation in the oil fill neck.

Mazda Response to Milky substance on Oil Dip Stick
 

FYI to all, I know this topic has been discussed many many times, but I thought everyone would like to hear this. I too discovered the mysterious milky substance a few days ago when I checked my oil and was unable to get an accurate level reading. After checking the postings, I was relieved to hear it was semi-normal. A few days later, I mentioned it to the dealership while getting my oil changed. To my surprise, this particular dealership has not seen this issue yet. Perhaps it's because I live in FL and this issue only appears during colder temperatures.

Well, they contacted Mazda and were told to hold my car for 24 hrs. So, away I go in the Camry loaner. Today, I get a call from the dealer informing me that Mazda has come up with a dipstick insulated sleeve to prevent this problem from occurring and apparently I'm one of the first to be getting it.

So, to all that have trouble checking their oil during the winter or just don't like the look of frothy cappuccino in your oil reservoir, I suggest you make a call to your local dealership to get the fix.

Mark W.

interesting. no tsb about this. it'd be nice to have the part number. ill see if i can track it down or get it from someone. i have to stop by my dealer today. thanks Mark.

Oooh Ahhh,..........progress. This is a good thing :) . Great news, Mark.

Gomez.

Update
 

Just returned from dealership. Unfortunately, they could not give me a part number. But they did tell me it's called a "Countermeasure Dipstick Kit" that was overnighted by the Mazda "Tech Line".

They replaced my entire dipstick drain with a new one that has an insulated sleeve installed on the inside. Will be anxious to check this fix, but we're getting 70 degree temps this week. I guess I'll have to wait for the next cold front.

Looks like this will be an official recall, Mazda told the dealership they will be replacing them on all the 8's.

That's all I have to report at this time, will post again after I've had a chance to test this mod out.

Mark

Don't suppose you could lay your hands on a digital camera, Mark??!!!! As they say....this thread is nothing without pics!!! Well, not really nothing, it's been most enlightening :) .

Gomez.

I hate to say this, but is this a rubber for our dipsticks? Sorry, had to.. :D

thanks for the update mark!

I can't see how this is going to help...every car I have ever had has had this "problem"...perhaps its an issue for the rotary since it wants to inject oil? The water/oil emulsification might clog something up? Anyway, every single car I've had, no exceptions, got this during the winter. I'd usually flush the oil (ATF fluid or GUNK Flush) in the spring. I've heard NOT to do this with a rotary though...might not be so friendly with the rotor or seals??

I'm definitely getting the above referenced insulator, but I really wonder how much it will do to solve the problem. Guess, I'll find out.

Picture of said fix
 

Good idea Gomez, not sure why I didn't think of it first. Anyways, here's a closeup of the new mod for the dipstick drain. You can see the blue sleeve inserted into the dipstick drain.

In my earlier post, I mentioned that I was given a whole new dipstick drain. Well, as you can see from the looks of the dirt, that was not the case. Not that I care, as long as it fixes the issue.

Hope this helps everyone.

Fellow Wankel-fan,
Mark


http://home.mchsi.com/~mwillman/pics/RX8dip.jpg

Excellent shot Mark, kudos to your cameraman....! I shall wait the obligatory six months required before this shows up Down Under, then I will pester the dealer :) .

Gomez.

Lol. Glad to see they used my idea. Well, sort of :D

https://www.rx8club.com/662313-post/

I think this "fix" is only aimed at reducing or eliminating customer complaints with respect to this goo on the dip stick. I can't see any way it will actually corrected what is argueably a "problem" with water in the oil or in the air within the dip stick tube causing the emulsified-oil mess. It's not something I would go out of my way to have installed.

In fact, I think I would be a bit concerned about having the foam stuff, or whatever it is, inside the tube for fear some of it might make it's way into the oil supply. Seems like a useless and, worst case, potentially harmful modification for such an insignificant "problem".

Let the flames begin. :D

Hey - What year is your car and did they replace your dipstick because I can't see how the little hookey thing on the bottom wouldn't rip that right out of there? Just curious.

well not a flame, but I have to agree...thats not a fix for the gunk, thats a fix for user complaints.

Don't worry, be happy. Once it warms up, the gunk will all dissappear.

Precisely my question from above!!!!

The new '05 dipstick still has the hookey thing..... :)

that's funny cause when I had my car at the dealer 2 days ago, the service guy said this substance was normal for our cars.

OK, I just thought that that was what they meant by, removed chamfered tip, but then I am never quite sure what they are talking about in those TSB's.

Any time I have had a question for them they always say its "normal"....I think they are all idiots up there. This car is not like other cars!

I still don't see how this fixes the issue????

Here is the way I understand it.

First, the insulator is only lining the inside of the tube, not completely sealing it. That’s the job of the dipstick while inserted. Second, it lines the entire tube, minus the inch or so from the top. So, the dipstick does not catch on it.

We all agree that the froth is caused by moisture in the dipstick tube. It’s my understanding that the moisture is coming from condensation building up when the tube is warmed from the engine, while also being exposed to outside cold air. The insulator lines the inside of the tube to prevent the condensation from occurring.

And yes, my dipstick was replaced. It does look to be a tad smaller. It still has the hooked tip and they’ve added some raised bumps on the measuring line. Since they’re raised, I don’t know if it’s supposed to aid in reading the oil level or not.

Mark

Ahhh, I see, it goes all the way down to the sump. Simple, but ingenious. Thanks Mark...

Remember that it was "normal" for an old VW beetle to shoot it's number three intake valve through the valve cover; noone ever said that being normal was a good thing!

That's what I am saying!!!!!!!!!! They blow you off sometime. So how would I go about getting this done without them telling me it is normal????? Whats the right wording for them :D

how to read the new dipstick here

Hmm...says 2005 only.

RosenthalMazda says it works in a 2004 RX-8 and this 2005 dipstick is the only one available ...... they don't make the 2004 dipstick anymore :D.

so will this be a warranty thing? For an 04?

No, it's just an improvement ....... but they only cost ~$13 from Rosenthal Mazda.

OK, well that's not too bad. Thanks!

I find it kinda funny that we're buying oil dipsticks from Mazda. I bet somebody in Mazda corporate is laughing their ass off right now. :p

Yeah, I am too. Other than oneupsmanship, what's to gain? Oh, I forgot, I GOTTA have one because it's there. :D :D :D

I bet they're really rolling on the floor with all the $200+ 2005 fobs being sold to 2004 owners :D.

LOL! That's a good one! :)

Dirty, Gunky Oil
 

Last month, I noticed yellow gunk all up and down my dip stick. I had the oild changed and had them flush the oil system. Its back again. The oil itself doesn't look old or dark, but the gunk is back. Anyone else had this problem? What's up with this?

yellow gunk or more of a beige color?

more than likely it's just lube so the dipstick doesnt stick

I know mine is covered in it.....freaked me out at first as I'm sure it did you but AFAIK it's supposed to be there

its neither- that is the foam from the cooler temps in the dipstick tube.
has been heavily discussed.

Yeah, there are at least a hundred threads on this meaningless phenomena. Do a few searches if you really want to know what it is.

FYI folks, I was not charged for the modification and new dipstick.

I went in and reported a milky, frothy substance when checking my oil.

The dealership contacted Mazda, mods shipped overnight, no charge to me, done deal. Mazda even paid for the rental while the part was being shipped.

Now that's a dealership one could love. :) They didn't HAVE to do that.

Good to see someone reporting a positive dealer experience. Although I am sure the dealer gets reimbursed virtually in full for their troubles.

I would say that it is a good thing that they simply dropped a sleeve in the dipstick tube instead of something a little more extensive. Why risk a tech screwing something else up just to modify the dipstick tube? Too much risk for what you are trying to gain IMO.

Frothy substance on the dipstick??
 

I checked my oil last night. The oil level was fine, but above the oil level on the dipstick there was sort of a frothy brownish liquid. Im just wondering what this is? Also my car is up in another 1000km for its next oil change, should i tell them to only put around half the oil in?? as some stays in the oil coolers? i dont want another over filled car.

Frothy stuff: This is a combination of oil and condensation in an emulsion. It is a relatively common phenomena in cold weather for some of the RX-8 owners. Not a big deal, it's only in the dipstick tube and not something to worry about. Take the time to search for and read the many, many threads in this forum that concern this "problem".

Oil Change: It appears that you are confused. The total oil capacity of the motor/oil lines/cooler(s) is around 7 qts. When the oil is drained from the oil pan, only about 4-5 qts. will run out of the engine. So 4-5 qts. of the new oil is added to replace the oil that was drained from the pan. Therefore, you end up with about 7 qts. with a 60-70% mix of new and old oil respectively. The person changing the oil should base the amount of new oil to add on the readings on the dipstick, not on anything in print that has a finite figure for the number of qts. required for an oil change. In other words, the number of qts. of new oil to be added will vary depending on how oil is drained.


BTW, the amount of oil drained from the pan can vary depending on how the oil is drained. If the car is level when the oil is drained, the amount will be closer to the lower number. If the drivers side of the car is elevated with respect to the passenger side while the oil is draining, the amount will be closer to the higher number. Of course, these numbers are approximate and assume that the filter was drained into the pan before replacement.

THANK GOODNESS for this forum!!! I just returned from a long trip and during my last stop for fuel, I noticed milky crap all over the dipstick. Being a rotary newbie, and piston veteran, I of course thought I had a blown head gasket. But wait....there are no heads on the rotary engine. The car ran fine, but I just knew this was really bad. So....I rushed home, dropped off the wife and kids (can't do THAT in a 350Z, OR a 911!!!) and took my baby STRAIGHT to the dealer. They put me in a POS Honda and told me they would look into the creamy oil issue. When I got home, I logged in here to see if any others have had this issue. I must say "THANK YOU!!!" to all that have posted on this topic. I will be able to sleep tonight! :cool:

awesome thanks for the help. The only reason i ask for the oil cahnge thing, is last time they over filled it...

KartRacer, where did you get your oil changed. I've a feeling mine was overfilled too 'cause when I checked it about 1500kms after the oil change (I usually add a quart every 1500 kms), it still showed full. Mine was done at Scarboro Mazda. Just curious. BTW , I'm getting the frothy substance showing on the dipstick too, just in the last few weeks or so.

the frothy stuff shows up when the outside temps drop.

mazda service people it seems tend to overfill a little bit. some out of a misplaced sense "since it burns oil ill add a little extra so the customer doesnt have to worry soom" and some because they mistakenly put in the "recommended" amount for an oil change instead of measuring the amount needed.

Glad to help. There really is no excuse for overfilling. There are few maintenance procedures that are simpler or more straightforward than changing the oil. Drain the oil, remove the filter, reinstall the drain plug and a new filter, add new oil.

Where some go wrong is in adding a set number of gts of oil. Best to first add a qt less than what is specified in the manual, check the dipstick, add a little more, check the dipstick. When the oil is at the upper mark on the dipstick, return the dipstick to the tube, screw the oil filler cap back on, start the car and let it run for a few minutes (with the RX-8, more than a few minutes might be in order :) ). Shut off the car, let it set for 5-10 minutes, check the oil and add more if necessary to bring the level up to the top mark.

Unfortunately, many grease monkeys don't do that. They're rushed, incompetent or just careless--whatever. That's why I change oil and do minor maintenance on all my vehicles myself. You may want to consider doing your own oil changes. It's not difficult. There is an excellent DIY in the Tech Section that walks you through the entire process.

oil foaming problem
 

I got my rx8 in november and just barely put in 2k miles on it and I've been noticing when I check the oil that its foaming and the dipstick is covered with it making it impossible for an accurate reading and I've had never changed or added oil .... I'm thinking of changing the oil w/ filter myself.... i know the filter is going to be a k&n perfomance gold but I'm not sure about the oil .... I'm deciding
either castrol gtx or royal purple but also I'm worried about using synthetic....
my biggest concern is that if the foaming put any damge to the engine and how to know if it did.....also does anyone know how to put in bulbs for the fog lights
mines don't work anymore so i need to replace them.