Did a search and found this thread. The only thing I noticed is that the foam on my dipstick isnt showing up white. It looks brownish. My oil was changed only 1200 miles ago so I shouldnt need an oil change. It was changed at the dealer suppossedly with the recomended 5w-20. It was about 37 degrees today. Was just curious if the brown color was the same thing, or if trhis means I should be worried.

 

Not to worry. Only about half of the oil in the car is changed during an oil change due to the amount of old oil that remains in the oil coolers and oil cooler lines. Just change the oil regularly--like every 3K miles--and you will be OK. BTW, the color of the oil will be brown/black almost immediately after the first time the car is operated following an oil change. It's ugly, but not much you can do about it in a practical sense.

As you probably read, there is a "fix" for this issue, but IMO the fix could be worse than the issue itself. The issue is really just a cosmetic thing and has no detrimental effect on the engine, so my advice is to not bother with the so-called fix.

 

Thanks. I wont worry about the 'fix' then. I appreciate the help.

 

Not trying to be funny, but i am pretty dxxm funny.

Yep. Same 1500 miles. Almost had a heart attack when I checked the oil. Jumped in to check the board immed. Whew! Probably cold climate related. Am in Colorado. Does any not have this issue? Why not?? Oil type, drving style. Climate???

 

Cold climate causes this. To save you a post in the summer the fan runs long after shut done on very hot days.

 

Don't know if this had been posted before, but here is the service order on the milky white substance issue...
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...09-05-1450.pdf

-hS

 

A PCV system has been added to the 2006 models as an attempt to stop this issue.

 

I took my 8 in for the well known new dipstick, tube insert update. While in the shop, the dealer called and said they had received a rather large, complicated kit of parts, but no instructions. They would search for a new TSB and get back. I emailed a link to the TSB list and the well known 5 page dipstick and tube instructions. They called later and said that the kit they received is a new fix for the milky oil / blow by issue. The parts kit is redily available but the TSB to match has not been released.

Any Mazda insider out there that can provide an ETA for the TSB??

 

I wouldn’t let the dealership practice a new TSB on my 8. Especially for a non-issue like this. As stated many times in this thread the seasonal gunk on the dipstick has zero effect on the car. I have gone through three “ seasons of the gunk “ and 64,000 miles later all is still well with my 8.

 

its probably the parts from the 2006 models PCV system. i havent actually gotten to look into i tyet but was thinking of doing a DIY for it once i sorted teh parts out. ill look into the TSB and get back to you. itll save me some typing if they do one- and you all know about my typing

 

I took my 8 in for the recall and they still have the 'dip stick' parts kit and are waiting for a TSB to show up so they can install it for me (see my last post, above). Any news on an ETA for the TSB to upgrade the PCV system??

 

Yes it looks like the 2006 PCV system.

Here is the TSB: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...50-06-1664.pdf

Would this be sufficient for a forced induction vehicle or is the oil catch can a better option?

 

Hello All
I've read through just about the entire thread about this strange phenomon of frothy looking oil on the dipstick. Just observed this for the first time, after driving for about 1 hour at highway speeds with outside temps about 25 degrees F. Stopped for about 20 mins and then checked the oil. Found froth at the top and the bottom of dipstick, even after checking several times and wiping the dipstick off. Oil was changed about 500 miles ago but at a less than reliable dealer. Car has about 25,000 miles. You guys seem to think this isn't a problem. I did have the coolant light flash a bit last week, added coolant. Also noticed rouger idle and less power than previously. From what I could see oil level was OK. Haven't started using 2 cycle synthetic oil in gas yet, but per this list will shortly. Still no cause for concern / action?
Thanks much!

 

If you are concerned, take it in to the dealer and complain about it. After reading that the TSB was in, I took my 8 in between Christmas and New Years and had the evap system installed (free). I can't say if it has helped because the salt trucks started running the day after I got it back, so I put the RX away for the winter. You've got a 2004, why not get a 2006 evap!

 

Concern? Yes! Your description suggests a more serious problem, so see your dealer ASAP.

If you have frothy oil--that is, the oil "itself" is frothy--that is definetly a concern. The white stuff that has been discussed ad nauseum in the forum and is covered in the sticky is a white frothy mass at the top of the dipstick and/or the oil filler cap/tube. This is caused by a bit of condensation mixed with oil and air. This is a fairly common thing with other cars as well in the cold weather and is not a concern. If the oil at "the bottom of the dipstick" is frothy, that is not what the sticky discussion is about.

 

unless he keeps scraping through it when hes putting the dipstick in...i just got this for the first time too...below 30 here and short trips a lot

 

My questions is how do I read the damn dipstick? I get up to operating temp for a while and the crap is still there, wipe it and comes back everytime I put the stick in to read it.

 

don't worry bout it .it is just the condisation in the tube that happens in the cold temps.when the temps are in the 60's plus it all go's away...at lease for me in the three years of flying with my 8!

 

I completely understand that. My question is in these cold months how am I supposed to read if my oil level is low or not? There's too much crap to read the level.

 

I have the same problem like there is a water and oil sticking on the dip stick,like a sludge looking like.. the dealer said that normaland i said that not good for the engine..i'm still have resolve the prolem with the dearlership..i guest we both have the same problem

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?[/QUOTE]

 

I went to the dealer to get the fix done so I could actually read the oil level, its been a couple days now, but when I check the oil at the dealer it seemed fine, a couple hours later when I pulled over for gas (been driving for bout 20 min) the milky crap was back. I can't read the dipstick even after the so called "fix". maybe I will just keep taking it in, and get a new 8 out of it :o

 

I have it too, just noticed when I checked my oil freaked out read all this and still freaking out. Mine is ALL up and down the dipstick, so I'm taking it in at 3:00 today we'll see. Hopefully they don't castrate me for my intake.

 

Why would you, or anyone else be "freaking out"?

Many of us, myself included, still have the original dipstick and deal with this every winter...60K later, original engine and everything is fine.

 

Geez louise you guys cracked me up with those posts... Shinka you will be the first to get a new 8 because of the foam on the dipstick. It is harmless as long as you can see if oil needs to be added.

Try checking the oil when it is cold and don't freak out, it can cause the oil to fly off the dipstick and then you would add oil when it isn't needed.

I don't think warranty covers over filling the oil and wrecking the engine.

 

Freaking out because until I read this I had no clue, in piston engine it's usually a sign of somthing bigger. The other reason I'm worried is cause I can't check my oil, can't see anything but the frothy goop. Thirdly everyone states that they mostly only see it on the top near the grommet, mine is ALL over the frickin thing.

Here's the question I pose. How many people are seeing this that are copletely stock vs. those who have mods. (intake/exhast) etc?