Appearance of oil on dipstick?

Question

This question refers to a petrol engined car.

I have read that sometimes the oil on the dipstick can look "milky" if there are head gasket problems looming, but can you describe exactly what is meant by this type of oil appearance ?

p.s. sometimes when I check my oil level on the dipstick I notice that the oil does not always go across the full width of the dipstick - is this normal or is there something wrong with my oil (5W 30) ??

Answer 1

1)  Milky oil will look brownish or chalky.  It will not be a solid black color, nor will it have the clean consistent look of new oil.

2)  I wouldn' t there's anything wrong with your oil.  Your dipstick probably just didn't catch enough oil onto it.

Answer 2

You'd know if it happens.  When you get water mixing with the oil, the result is a pale grey slimy mess.

What you should see is a pale brown liquid.  If it's black, you're overdue for an oil change.

To check your oil, take out the dipstick, wipe it clean, put it in again as far as it will go, then look at it again.  You should now find that the oil is a bit lower than it appeared before, but goes right across the dipstick.

Answer 3

It will look cloudy, It will be kind of gray in color and sometimes it will be lumpy.  This isnt a sign of impending problems.  it is a sign that something is wrong with the car.  also a spike in the engine temperature such as over heating, is another good sign.  Oil is a fluid so it will run off the dipstick.  As long as it is within the hash marks on your dipstick you should be fine.

Answer 4

youDO have water in your oil.  Coming from coolant  OR could be from condensation.  If you don't drive your car enough let get hot then run for a while to cause water evaporate out of your engine block, it will build up to noticeable level. the water is produce as a by product of combustion.  If you  drive 1 or 2 miles only to work or store the eng. does not get hot enough..fuel  with alcohol  in it will produce more water. Alcohol has h2o in it.----also, the oil does not go across the dip stick because the water causing it to bead up...change your oil and filter continue to observe..water in oil will not lubricate the bearings and will cause damage...cold climate will increase condensation.

Answer 5

My truck just blew both headgaskets, the oil looked exactly like cappuccino.  I was seeing something similar to what you are talking about the oil not covering the entire width of the dipstick, the middle was covered with oil and the sides were covered with water, this was after about 15 after turning the engine off.  The oil in a healthy engine should by no means look milky, it should either look like clean oil or dirty oil.  If you do have coolant in the oil you can ruin the engine because the coolant won't lubricate properly.  If you plan on keeping the car, don't continue running it with milky oil.  

Answer 6

if its red on dip stick....wait for 4 days...and check again.....

Answer 7

Milky oil can look like condensed milk and could be a blocked breather pipe (or filter) or at worse could signify a blown head gasket.  If the car runs ok and does not overheat then I would recommend a flush and oil change. It can also be a good idea to check the coolant as this can become oily if the head gasket is blown.

Answer 8

gday mate ill try help you out the milky look is

pretty much a creamy color or any other color that is not the color of your oil if it is a little bit white or looks frothy then theres water in you oil chage head gasket (hopefully)

as far as the oil not covering the dipstick thats not a problem

if your car is losing water but its not leaking out any where the general concensis is head gasket try some chemi weld about 15 bucks a bottle  follow instructions EXACTLY is will get you through 6 months with out a problem.

Answer 9

as above you will know when you see milky oil

one way to know if you are REALLY interested is to get some used motor oil (or new if you don't have any old hanging around) put an inch or 2 in bottom of plastic cup then add couple inches of water stir and let sit for a couple days you will see "milky" oil.  

Answer 10

looks like chocolate milk.

Answer 11

Oil appearance should be translucent

'milky' means slightly opaque,

difficult to describe, but it's like it has a little milk mixed with the oil.

if the oil does not go all the way across the width of the dipstick, then that is not a true level.

the dipstick should be removed.... wiped... replaced, then pulled out and read. the level is across the full width of the dipstick (after all, you are basically sticking it into a puddle of the stuff) if it only goes part way across the dipstick, that is simply transference from the  pipe.

always dip your oil when the engine is cold. hot oil in a recently used engine gives a skewed indiccation of the amount of oil in the sump