S40 V40: - Milky dipstick

lucas1787 · Feb 9th, 2009, 10:06

I checked my oil level over the weekend and noticed it was a bit milky on the end(slight clumps,what looks like salad cream). I cleaned it off and checked again a few times and the oil seemd to be ok. I also checked the oil filler cap and that was fine. I assume its just condensation in the dipstick tube, but Iam not sure if its anything to worry about. I was thinking head gasket,but how do I check for this? Has anyone had or got this problem?. Thanks Dave

manoman48 · Feb 9th, 2009, 10:44

Cold weather and short journeys will produce that stuff in almost any engine.

Take it for a good drive and see if it is there when you get back.

lucas1787 · Feb 9th, 2009, 10:48

Thanks, I only do short journeys,around 20miles a day and hardly ever go very far, thats the trouble of working close and also having two cars, as we tend to use my others halfs, as I park mine in the garage. I will take it out at the weekend and give it a blast.

manoman48 · Feb 9th, 2009, 10:50

Taking it for a 'spirited' drive even for 20 miles or so would do the job as well. Problem is the weather and roads don't lend themselves to fast driving at the moment.

cwc2128 · Feb 9th, 2009, 16:09

My 98 T4 has been doing this during the cold weather, 9/10 when i pull the dip stick the rod is covered in gunk and the top under the orange handle is gunked up give it a wipe and it clears, i feel it has got condensation in the tube during the cold weather .dont worry, if it was gasket you would have oil in the water or the cap etc would be gunked up but then that does not mean the head gasket.

chb · Feb 9th, 2009, 21:47

My 2.0CD does this too. Was worried at first, but have driven 80,000 miles since I first noticed it!
In winter it does not evaporate, so wiping it off every week is the only way to get rid. Nothing to worry about at all!

revelationman · Feb 12th, 2009, 10:09

This happen to my 97 V40 2.0 Petrol what the garage found was the crankcase hose was blocked. I am not sure what the exact words the mechanic stated but he cut the hose and ran another hose, and it is fine. There is no more milky substance and no oil burning. The engine touch wood is running fine the mechanic did state it was like a human being with a blocked artery .
I submitted a picture for you.

DutchV40 · Feb 12th, 2009, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by revelationman

This happen to my 97 V40 2.0 Petrol what the garage found was the crankcase hose was blocked. I am not sure what the exact words the mechanic stated but he cut the hose and ran another hose, and it is fine. There is no more milky substance and no oil burning. The engine touch wood is running fine the mechanic did state it was like a human being with a blocked artery .
I submitted a picture for you.

So a blocked crankcase ventilation also gives milky stuff in the oil?
Did you also have other symptoms due to the blocked hose?

revelationman · Feb 12th, 2009, 17:11

Apparently so the engine could not breathe , as for the other symptons not sure.
What happen was when I received the car I checked the dip stick, then I seen the milky stuff. I thought head gasket was blown but when I went to garage they found the house blocked.
The car drives fine now no more milky stuff.
To be honest this is my first Volvo so I am learning everyday.

DutchV40 · Feb 14th, 2009, 22:44

Is there a simple way of checking/testing my crankcase ventilation (without disconnecting any parts)?

Feb 9th, 2009, 10:06	#1
lucas1787 Junior Member Last Online: Nov 5th, 2009 13:36 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Tilbury	Milky dipstick I checked my oil level over the weekend and noticed it was a bit milky on the end(slight clumps,what looks like salad cream). I cleaned it off and checked again a few times and the oil seemd to be ok. I also checked the oil filler cap and that was fine. I assume its just condensation in the dipstick tube, but Iam not sure if its anything to worry about. I was thinking head gasket,but how do I check for this? Has anyone had or got this problem?. Thanks Dave

Feb 9th, 2009, 10:44	#2
manoman48 Master Member Last Online: Apr 28th, 2023 11:20 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sc.unthorpe	Cold weather and short journeys will produce that stuff in almost any engine. Take it for a good drive and see if it is there when you get back.

Feb 9th, 2009, 10:48	#3
lucas1787 Junior Member Last Online: Nov 5th, 2009 13:36 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Tilbury	Thanks, I only do short journeys,around 20miles a day and hardly ever go very far, thats the trouble of working close and also having two cars, as we tend to use my others halfs, as I park mine in the garage. I will take it out at the weekend and give it a blast.

Feb 9th, 2009, 10:50	#4
manoman48 Master Member Last Online: Apr 28th, 2023 11:20 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sc.unthorpe	Taking it for a 'spirited' drive even for 20 miles or so would do the job as well. Problem is the weather and roads don't lend themselves to fast driving at the moment.

Feb 9th, 2009, 16:09	#5
cwc2128 Member Last Online: May 7th, 2009 15:42 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Surrey	My 98 T4 has been doing this during the cold weather, 9/10 when i pull the dip stick the rod is covered in gunk and the top under the orange handle is gunked up give it a wipe and it clears, i feel it has got condensation in the tube during the cold weather .dont worry, if it was gasket you would have oil in the water or the cap etc would be gunked up but then that does not mean the head gasket.

Feb 9th, 2009, 21:47	#6
chb Master Member Last Online: Dec 22nd, 2023 10:53 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Leeds	My 2.0CD does this too. Was worried at first, but have driven 80,000 miles since I first noticed it! In winter it does not evaporate, so wiping it off every week is the only way to get rid. Nothing to worry about at all!

Feb 12th, 2009, 17:11	#9
revelationman New Member Last Online: Feb 21st, 2009 23:27 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Draycott	Apparently so the engine could not breathe , as for the other symptons not sure. What happen was when I received the car I checked the dip stick, then I seen the milky stuff. I thought head gasket was blown but when I went to garage they found the house blocked. The car drives fine now no more milky stuff. To be honest this is my first Volvo so I am learning everyday.

Feb 14th, 2009, 22:44	#10
DutchV40 Senior Member Last Online: Apr 5th, 2011 12:21 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Brabant	Is there a simple way of checking/testing my crankcase ventilation (without disconnecting any parts)?

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