The bad luck is starting... - Page 2

ryGT1 · 10-26-2003, 05:34 AM

holy crap

silverbullet51 · 12-11-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71Z28RS

You can tell if the coolant is leaking into the engine oil by taking off the oil fill cap and looking inside the valve cover. You'll see a red/orange-ish fluffy foam inside the valve cover if it's leaking inside the engine. This is from the anti-freeze getting churned up and pumped into other parts of the engine where it's not supposed to go. You should also be able to see it on the dip stick. If this is the case and you have an internal leak, DO NOT ignore it and keep driving it. The antifreeze causes your oil to not properly do it's lubricating job and you'll cause excess wear on you rod bearings, crank bearings, and your entire valvetrain. However, if it's an external leak, it isn't hurting anything as long as you keep your coolant level up.

Okay, a couple months after I got my GA, I had to get the manifold gaskets replaced.
Now, after I checked my oil level today I find yellow foam on the oil cap and around the top of the valve cover. However, my coolant level has not dropped and I don't smell sweet odor in oil. The dipstick is clean. Also my PCV valve was plugged with the crap and makes a hissing sound when engine is running. After I wiped the stuff off best I could and ran the engine a bit, I checked the oil cap again. Still a little foam, but more so of condensation ?!?

Before winter I switched to Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 with a quart of Marvel mystery oil.

Any thoughts?

Blackhawk13 · 12-11-2008, 09:20 PM

How long did the engine run? If the engine isn't fully warmed up, say before a 10 minute drive, there's gonna be come condensation. Try checking again after driving for a little bit.

MikeSilverGT · 12-11-2008, 10:52 PM

Foam in the oil is generally one thing: coolant. The condensate may be harmless or may be the water evaporating from the coolant (if any is getting into your oil).

If you can, drain the oil and check it out. That or wipe the cap again and drive to your preferred mechanic, if there's more foam your gaskets are probably toast and let them look at it.

I'd be real careful about how much driving you do though.

350rs · 12-12-2008, 05:57 AM

GM v-6 engines are famous for drawing in moisture from the air outside. that alone will get you the milky white oil residue on the valve covers. really the only way to tell if the LIM is leaking without there being a external leak is to keep an eye on the fluid levels. if the coolant is going down but the oil stays the same, your burning coolant somehow, however if the oil levels rise while the coolant is lowering, its obviously mixing. chances are its the LIM on these cars, but head gasket is another possibility.

silverbullet51 · 12-12-2008, 08:14 PM

Coolant level has not dropped, oil was actually low when I first noticed the problem. I ran seafoam on this car not long after my last oil change, could that contaminate my oil ( ran it thru the pcv valve). Also what about the mystery oil?

GrandAmC9 · 12-12-2008, 11:56 PM

did you change the oil after running the seafoam?

silverbullet51 · 12-15-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350rs

GM v-6 engines are famous for drawing in moisture from the air outside. that alone will get you the milky white oil residue on the valve covers. really the only way to tell if the LIM is leaking without there being a external leak is to keep an eye on the fluid levels. if the coolant is going down but the oil stays the same, your burning coolant somehow, however if the oil levels rise while the coolant is lowering, its obviously mixing. chances are its the LIM on these cars, but head gasket is another possibility.

do you know where the engine can suck in moisture besides the air intake, that I should look at? what i am getting at is what are the trouble spots? since my coolant level is not dropping at all and I don't smell it in the oil, I assume my manifold gaskets are still good.

silverbullet51 · 12-15-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandAmC9

did you change the oil after running the seafoam?

no because i ran the seafoam thru the pcv valve, not in the oil. but you bring up an interesting point- could that be my residue?

silverbullet51 · 02-12-2009, 10:00 PM

are you guys sure the yellow foam is coolant? I'll be pissed if the manifold gaskets are leaking again. any more thoughts on this issue?

Mike Jung · 02-12-2009, 10:15 PM

Do yourself a favour...

Change the PCV valve & air filter.
Get the engine up to normal operating temperature.
Take a run for 30-minutes on the highway.
Now check your oil cap/oil filler area.

If it was just condensation, it will disappear.

PS: do you do alot of idling or short driving trips?
Also see: Condensation in Oil

silverbullet51 · 02-28-2009, 05:54 PM

I use a K&N filter and it gets cleaned regularly and the PCV valve is brand new. That foam seems to gum up the valve constantly. I could care less about the condensation, that is not a constantly appearing problem.

I drive 8 miles to work each day and I don't let the engine idle to warm up unless it's really cold out. I've heard people say you should let the car warm up before you drive it and some say don't bother, it wastes gas. I can see both sides, just don't know who's more right.

I will clean the air filter (it's due again) and PCV valve and try your suggestion on a highway trip, but so far, the foam does not go away.

10-26-2003, 05:34 AM	#21
ryGT1 kep it real homey Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Miami, FL Age: 40 Posts: 353 Vehicle: 99 GaGt	holy crap __________________ Ryan '04 Acura TL w/ Navi

12-11-2008, 10:52 PM	#24
MikeSilverGT Gremlins at work. AKA: Mike Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Douglasville, GA Age: 36 Posts: 108 Vehicle: 02 Grand Am GT Sedan	Foam in the oil is generally one thing: coolant. The condensate may be harmless or may be the water evaporating from the coolant (if any is getting into your oil). If you can, drain the oil and check it out. That or wipe the cap again and drive to your preferred mechanic, if there's more foam your gaskets are probably toast and let them look at it. I'd be real careful about how much driving you do though. __________________ Quod Scripsi, Scripsi.

12-12-2008, 11:56 PM	#27
GrandAmC9 GAGT - Member AKA: Steve Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maynard MA Age: 31 Posts: 380 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT1	did you change the oil after running the seafoam? __________________ -Steve http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2982116

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12-11-2008, 09:20 PM	#23
Blackhawk13 GAGT - Member AKA: Cody Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Becker, MN Posts: 34 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am SE 3400	How long did the engine run? If the engine isn't fully warmed up, say before a 10 minute drive, there's gonna be come condensation. Try checking again after driving for a little bit.

12-12-2008, 05:57 AM	#25
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	GM v-6 engines are famous for drawing in moisture from the air outside. that alone will get you the milky white oil residue on the valve covers. really the only way to tell if the LIM is leaking without there being a external leak is to keep an eye on the fluid levels. if the coolant is going down but the oil stays the same, your burning coolant somehow, however if the oil levels rise while the coolant is lowering, its obviously mixing. chances are its the LIM on these cars, but head gasket is another possibility.

12-12-2008, 08:14 PM	#26
silverbullet51 GAGT - Member AKA: Andy Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lomira, WI Age: 37 Posts: 124 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT 4dr	Coolant level has not dropped, oil was actually low when I first noticed the problem. I ran seafoam on this car not long after my last oil change, could that contaminate my oil ( ran it thru the pcv valve). Also what about the mystery oil?

02-12-2009, 10:00 PM	#30
silverbullet51 GAGT - Member AKA: Andy Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lomira, WI Age: 37 Posts: 124 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT 4dr	are you guys sure the yellow foam is coolant? I'll be pissed if the manifold gaskets are leaking again. any more thoughts on this issue?

02-12-2009, 10:15 PM	#31
Mike Jung 400 hp & 410 lb-ft AKA: Mike Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,671 Vehicle: '14 Camaro SS RS coupe	Do yourself a favour... Change the PCV valve & air filter. Get the engine up to normal operating temperature. Take a run for 30-minutes on the highway. Now check your oil cap/oil filler area. If it was just condensation, it will disappear. PS: do you do alot of idling or short driving trips? Also see: Condensation in Oil

02-28-2009, 05:54 PM	#32
silverbullet51 GAGT - Member AKA: Andy Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lomira, WI Age: 37 Posts: 124 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT 4dr	I use a K&N filter and it gets cleaned regularly and the PCV valve is brand new. That foam seems to gum up the valve constantly. I could care less about the condensation, that is not a constantly appearing problem. I drive 8 miles to work each day and I don't let the engine idle to warm up unless it's really cold out. I've heard people say you should let the car warm up before you drive it and some say don't bother, it wastes gas. I can see both sides, just don't know who's more right. I will clean the air filter (it's due again) and PCV valve and try your suggestion on a highway trip, but so far, the foam does not go away.