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What does it mean when engine oil cap is foamy?

  

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2011 Nissan Sentra, 148,500 miles. Checked my oil today. The top of the inside of cap is filled with foam. I’m sure not good, but I don’t know what that means. Thanks 


3 Answers
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Depending on what the foam looks like it could mean that coolant is starting to mix with the oil. The most likely culprit for that would be the head gasket. Late model Nissans are known for weak head gaskets.


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Stick your finger into oil fill neck. Do you have a milky gunk there too? What about a dipstick? Is there a milky foam ring on it just about inch or so higher than a block casting ends? Did you see this milky gunk there before it got colder outside? If not, it’s probably just cold outside and condensation is not driven off with heat. Engine is not getting hot enough for long enough time. Is coolant still clean and transparent? No bubbles in it? No foam floating around a filler neck?

Anyway, check for blown gasket like others suggest, … but verify above, first. Here in Calgary we have temperatures at - 25C and lower range,  … and if you don’t drive long enough to warm up the engine fully, … or your thermostat rating is just a tad below what it temperature rating should, the result is usually foamy gunk on inside of a oil-fill cap. It’s normal and it will pass as temperatures warm up. Or when you drive more aggressively. Fwiw.

F.S.


Thank you so much. I live in Minnesota and yes it’s been very cold for a couple of weeks. Thanks again


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Do you drive your car daily/often or once in a blue moon?


I drive daily, mostly city miles


Okay, go buy the test kit to check for a blown head gasket. Is your coolant still good?

Fingers crossed, it’s just condensation due to mainly driving in stop & go traffic.


Coolant level has dropped a little bit. I’ll do the head gasket test. Thanks for info


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