Milky Oil

[90 Runner]

Hey, While checking my oil today i noticed a milky white oil i guess under the oil cap. I know that i am in need of an oil change, but is this a sign of something bigger or just b/c of old oil.
Jaosn

[Sprockett]

Might be tough to describe but 'milky/foamy' could indicate coolant from the block mixing with the oil. How does the coolant overflow bottle look?

[Stuwy123]

Milky oil means oil and water.

This is a sign of a blown headgasket or that the timing chain has worn through the timing cover into the water jacket.

Drain your oil to confirm. You may have a major failure on your hands.

I've had a slight amount of froth under my oil cap one time. This was because of a tune up done on a cold day (slight frost/ condensation build up), I drained my oil and it was fine (black as usual).

Check out this link. If your oil looks like his...
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/92-toy-s-22re-crapped-out-gotta-start-somewhere-thread-188472/

[90 Runner]

Hey Thanks Guys i will look into it a little more when i get home. I Have a new headgasket and timing done last sept. I trust the Guy who installed it so maybe its just a random thing. Las time i checked my overflow bottle was fine but i know what you mean by that my last truck has that problem.
J

[Stuwy123]

My fingers are crossed for ya.

[90 Runner]

Ya, Lucky for me i have a 3.8L GrandNational Turbo sitting in my parts truck so i can always do an engine Swap. I would miss the 22re Economy if i need to swap it out
J

[freeze]

Wipe it out and check it again in a few clicks. Sometimes the temperature fluctuations that we're getting combined with not running the Toyota long enough to really bring the engine temps up can also put some milky oil under the cap.

Check your coolant tank as well to make sure it's not milky as well. If that's got milkshake then you're hooped :(

[canadian bum]

If your entire oil is milk then your pooched. If not and you only do a lot of short trips condensation just builds up and contaminates the oil with moisture. Propane vehicles are really bad for it and can sometimes contaminate the entire oil.

You can take the rad cap off and start it up if it bubbles then you have a blown headgasket cause the combustion gasses are bubbling up through the coolant.

[90 Runner]

Ya the rest of the oil looks okay. My truck sat for a while and the battery died so i jumped it last night and then did a short drive to charge the battery.

That must be where the problem started. Thanks
J

[874runnersr5]

Wipe it out and check it again in a few clicks. Sometimes the temperature fluctuations that we're getting combined with not running the Toyota long enough to really bring the engine temps up can also put some milky oil under the cap.

Check your coolant tank as well to make sure it's not milky as well. If that's got milkshake then you're hooped :(

bingo... he said under the cap. check the dipstick to.

[90 Runner]

The dipstick was fine.
Dirty Oil but not milky or white
J

[Dante's Taco]

I know it's a different engine & all, but after short trips (~ 5km) in cold weather, this is what builds up under my oil cap:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/dantes_taco/IMG_1275.jpg

In my case it was def a yellow colour. It has been doing this for years. A good long drive & it's gone. i.e. condensation.

[Muttle]

Could just be moisture like they said. It happend on my truck, sadly the HG went a month later. Hopefully yours is not a precursor to something worse.